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“Um, yes,” I say slowly, and it dawns on me that if Jude’s a freshman, that means I’m a freshman…fuck.
“Where exactly did you meet my brother?” Jett’s voice makes my eyes dart to his and then Brett’s, as if he can rescue me. He just sits back and smiles, his eyes almost daring me to do it.
So I do.
“I’m his student in his Environmental Engineering class.” And that shuts the table up. Besides the sound of a dog barking, it’s like we’re inSleeping Beauty,and everyone has been frozen in sleep until Natalie jumps up.
“Dessert? I made a pie.” Her voice is loud, and I almost choke on the wine I just brought to my lips.
“You know me, Mom. I love pie.” Brett turns to rub my back. “You okay? Here, drink some water.” He takes the wineglass from me and replaces it with water as I gasp.
This has gone from a wonderful dinner to a nightmare in seconds.
“Thank you,” I say, my eyes finding his, and again all I can do is think he’s fearless, like he is not fazed at all that I told his family I’m his student. In fact, he basically told the table he likes to eat…Oh my God.
“Brett, why don’t we give Mom a hand with thepie.” His brother’s voice makes me want to cover my face because he got it and doesn’t look happy.
“Absolutely.” He stands, leaning down to give me a quick kiss on the lips, then walks away.
My brain is spinning, silently begging him to return.
“So you go to California University? Now that we’re home, Jett has been throwing a fit for me to go back to school, but he wants Stanford.” Raven moves over to Natalie’s empty seat. “Do you like CAU?” Her kind eyes almost make me want to cry. It’s like she gets it and is trying to be my friend. I take a deep breath and look over at Brett’s dad, who is staring at his glass of bourbon as if he’s deep in thought, then back at Raven.
“So far, I love it.”
BRETT
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Jett doesn’t even wait for us to get into the kitchen as he turns and gets in my face. We’re almost the same height, so having his face close to mine makes me want to punch him. Instead, I walk around him toward the kitchen.
“I’m talking to you,” he calls out, and I turn.
“Jett, I’m not impressed by you.” I shake my head.
“You arrogant fuckup, you broke the cardinal rule.” He takes a step closer, fists clenched.
“What?” I hiss.
“You’re fucking a student.” His voice sounds annoyingly calm—the same sanctimonious tone he uses in the courtroom.
“No. I’m fucking Alexandrea.” I take a step toward him. “And you, of all people, really aren’t thinking about giving me a lecture on this, right?”
His eyes change, and for a split second, I think he actually might punch me, which would mean I’d have to beat the shit out of him.
“Boys.” Our mom’s voice makes me take a breath and step back.
“Brett Thomas.” Her voice is so demanding that I break my brother’s stare and turn to her. She stands with oven mitts and the pie in her hands.
“I know you, son. We all do.” Her eyes go to Jett’s, then back to me. “This is not the time to get stubborn and do something just because we all think you shouldn’t. Listen to your brother, for heaven’s sake,” she snaps, her smooth face marred only by her frown as she passes, which is somewhat of a miracle since she’s been using fillers since she was forty.
I wait for her to walk out onto the patio before I turn back to Jett. “I appreciate your concern, but I can handle this.”
He snorts. “Really?” Walking into the kitchen, he steps over to the counter where a bottle of bourbon sits.
“I do.” Folding my arms, I lean against the doorframe. I’m trying hard not to call him on all his shit, but if he keeps this up, who knows.
“So what you’re saying is that you’re willing to risk everything for her?” He pours himself a large glass of whiskey and shoots it.
“I’m saying it’s none of your business.” My voice holds a warning because he’s my brother, but he’s got fucking balls right now.
