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“I know.”
Relief filled Brooks’ face, which confused her.
Then she got it. He was worried he’d have to tell her.
“And you’re okay with that?” he asked.
“Kind of? I mean . . . I’ve heard things, but they’re rumors. You know I don’t like to judge or make assumptions about people. And the thing is . . . sometimes good people do bad things. Or they get in trouble for good reasons. And sometimes, the world isn’t black and white. There’s gray in there.”
“I know, Aunt Effie. It’s all right.”
She tugged at her sloth earring. “I’m not sure if your dad would approve of me working for a guy who . . . who doesn’t always operate on the right side of the law. I’m not sure he’d like them around you.”
Especially not after what Brooks’ mother had done.
“Dad isn’t here,” Brooks told her. “And this is different from the woman who birthed me.”
“Brooks.”
“I was worried in the beginning that you might get hurt. That they might hurt you or someone close to them. But . . . the way they were with you last night. Having a guy sitting in a car outside our place all night . . . those aren’t the actions of guys who would hurt you.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so either.” She took another sip of coffee. Damn, she felt like crap this morning. What had happened? Why did she basically pass out? And what else happened?
“I’m gonna meet up with Baron, Royal, and some other friends soon. Are you all right on your own?” Brooks asked her.
“Yes, of course. Is Stella one of those friends?” she asked.
His cheeks went red. “Uh, yeah.”
She didn’t push him any further. “I’m glad you’re friends with those boys. Are you . . . are those boys at school . . . they’re not bullying you anymore?”
To her shock, Brooks grinned. “Nah, Auntie. You don’t have to worry about them. Every time they see me coming, they basically run the other way. And not just because I’m friends with Royal and Baron. But because of whoyou’refriends with.”
“Huh?” she asked.
“Steele told me he was going to take care of things, and he did. Another reason I’m cool if you want to, you know, get involved with him. Or with Grady. Or with both of them.”
“Both of them?”
“Don’t act so shocked. I see the smut you read.”
“Brooks Keaton!” She gave him a shocked look. “What are you doing looking at what I read?”
“Can’t help it if you leave the books out.” He stood as she mock-glared at him.
“You shouldn’t be looking! And it is not smut.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Oh, yeah.” He grinned. “Should I tell my English teacher that we should study one of your books instead of Othello?”
“Don’t you dare!” He turned and raced out of the room as she grabbed a pillow to throw at him. “Brat! Someone obviously didn’t raise you right!”
He peeked around the edge of the door. “Are you forgetting that you raised me?”
She huffed. But she smiled after he left. Then she lay back on the bed.
What the heck happened last night?
* * *
