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“I am, and I can,” I say. “But Dean, nothing would’ve happened between Brock and me if it didn’t mean anything. Brock and I, we care about each other. We really have something here.”
Dean groans. A storm rages in his eyes. “That’s the worst thing you can say, Nina.”
“I don’t think you understand. We just click. We’re like puzzle pieces fitting together. He makes me so happy.”
“Which means he’s going to make you miserable when he walks away.” Dean’s tone is angry, but concern is etched into his features.
“Look, I get that you’re worried. But what makes you think he’s going to do that?”
“Jesus, Nina. It was cute when you were a teenager and you had crush on him, but now it’s just wrong. You’re old enough to know better.”
“Why can’t you even entertain the idea that this might actually work out?” I ask, anger spreading heat across my chest.
“Because I know Brock, okay?” Dean raises his voice. The waiter, who’s back to bring us our food, is so startled he almost drops a plate. My brother gives the waiter an apologetic look and waits for him to leave our table. In a calmer tone, Dean says, “I know exactly what Brock’s like, and I know exactly what you’re like. He’s only going to hurt you.”
“You don’t know that. You could be wrong.”
“I could say the same thing about you, little sister. You were wrong about Peter. What makes you think you couldn’t be wrong this time?”
I pick up my fork and stab a piece of ravioli, avoiding Dean’s gaze. I hate that he’s bringing Peter up when we’re supposed to be talking about Brock.
“Sorry,” Dean says softly, sensing the change in my mood. He places a gentle hand on my cheek. “I just don’t want to see my little sister get hurt.”
“I don’t think Brock is going to hurt me.”
Dean takes a deep breath. “I know that’s what you really believe, Nina. But this is what Brock does. This is what Brock has been doing for years. He sleeps with any woman he finds attractive, he makes them fall head over heels for him, and then he leaves.”
“I know. You told me. But I don’t think he’s going to do that to me.” I rest my fork on the plate. I don’t feel like eating.
“I didn’t think he was going to do anything to you,” Dean says. “You’re my little sister, and I thought that would’ve been enough to stop him from trying anything with you. But apparently not.”
“See? You’ve been wrong before.”
“Yeah,” he admits. “And I really hope I’m wrong now, but that’s not likely.”
“Whatever you think it’s like between Brock and me, you’re wrong,” I tell him. “We make each other happy, Dean. I can tell he really cares about me.”
“I hope you’re right, Nina. I really hope you are. But I know Brock, and I want you to be careful. You’re a big girl now, and I can’t make you leave him if that’s not what you want to do . . .” Dean pauses, raising an eyebrow and giving me an expectant look, probably hoping I’ll suddenly change my mind.
I shake my head. “I’m not going to leave him.”
Dean lets out a big sigh. “I know Brock better than you do, Nina. I like the guy. I really do. And I can see why girls flock to him. He’s a great guy, but—”
“Can’t you just stop there? Just . . . Brock’s a great guy. That’s it. And you’re happy for us,” I suggest.
“I can’t. If this were to have happened, I don’t know, five years ago, I would’ve been happy for you. He would’ve made great boyfriend material then—for anyone. He was great to his ex, and he treated her really well. But she changed him.”
“Rosa,” I blurt out.
“You know about her?” Dean sounds surprised.
“He told me.” I leave out the part about how I actually saw her at her own wedding, when I went, not just as any guest but as Brock’s fiancée.
“He doesn’t like to talk about her,” Dean says.
“See? He’s not trying to hide anything from me.”
“Well, that girl really did a number on him,” Dean continues. “Brock told me himself he didn’t think he was capable trusting another woman. The way he reacted when he heard about Rosa getting married, I was sure he was still hung up on her.”
“It’s been a long time since then, Dean. Things change.”
“I hope you’re right.” Dean gives me a weak smile. “But you know what I always say. When someone tells you who they really are, listen.”
I nod.
“I’ve seen Brock go from one girl to the next, oblivious to the destruction he leaves in his path,” Dean says. “I don’t want you to be one of those girls.”
“I won’t be,” I say with confidence.
