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“Looks like the car won.” Brynn wrinkled her freckle-covered nose at me. “I’m sorry. I hope you feel better soon.”
“Oh, she will. I’m going to take good care of her,” Holden said, giving me a Dr Pepper and my dinner. “There’s plenty of food, so if you’re still hungry let me know.”
My mouth watered so bad I was afraid I would start drooling. Meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, and green beans. I frowned, then peered up at him. “Who are you?”
Brynn giggled and squeezed his arm. “He’s the black sheep of the family because he’s not a fucking douchebag. Well, his mom still loves him.”
Holden visibly tensed. His mask of coolness was gone as a flicker of anger appeared in his expression. Just as quickly as it showed up, it disappeared, and he smiled while he patted Brynn’s knuckles and said, “Thanks, Brynn. I appreciate that.”
It was at that moment I realized that Holden had as many dark layers as I did. Although I wanted to know his secrets, I was afraid to crack that shell open. “Should I roll my eyes for you?” I offered.
“Please.” Holden squeezed Brynn’s hand before he returned to the kitchen.
“Black sheep?” I squeaked.
“You have no idea.” Brynn giggled. “I’m teasing you. Holden is a great guy, but his family ... Well, I’ll save that conversation for another day. But welcome to Spokane, and to the wealthiest family in the Pacific Northwest. I promise you it will never be boring.” Brynn winked, then hopped up and hurried over to the group and the food.
My fork bounced off the edge of my plate and clattered against the floor. Black sheep and wealthiest? What the hell had I just landed in the middle of?
Chapter Ten
The alcohol flowed, and each person sat down and talked to me ... except Becky, who kept herself busy by shooting me dirty looks from across the room while she practically humped Holden’s leg. Such a multitasker, that one. If she was trying to mark her territory, then point taken. I was out of here as soon as I could walk.
Brynn hung out with me most of the evening, and it was difficult not to like her immediately. She was funny and kind. We had the same sarcastic sense of humor and a similar taste in music.
I’d popped another pain pill, and between the conversation and the exhaustion from the day, I struggled to keep my eyes open.
“Hey, princess. Let’s get you to bed so you can get some sleep. It’s after midnight.” Holden looked down at me and grinned. “I can’t have any of these assholes trying to pull your deep, dark secrets out of you while you’re on meds, either.”
“I didn’t know she had secrets, but now that I do ...” Chance released a maniacal laugh and smirked.
“Fuck you, man. My cousin is off-limits … period.” Holden’s expression tightened with his words. “In fact—” Holden cupped his hands around his mouth, using them to amplify his voice over the loud chatter and laughter. “—my cousin is off-limits while she’s healing, and afterward too. That goes for men and women.” Holden’s gaze dropped to me. “Sorry to cock or pussy block you, but you’re my responsibility, right?”
I stifled my giggle. “No shit. Getting knocked up while I’m here wouldn’t settle well with the fam.” I offered a lopsided and loopy grin.
“Definitely time to get you to bed.” Holden bent down and picked me up.
Without thinking, I squeezed his rock-hard bicep. Even stoned on my meds, I didn’t miss the scathing look Becky gave me.
“Night,” everyone chimed in as Holden headed toward the stairs.
“Night.” I waved, then rested my head against Holden’s shoulder. “Becky must think we’re into incest,” I whispered against Holden’s ear, causing him to stumble.
“Shit.” He caught us right before we landed on the floor. “Are you all right?”
“Yup. Are you?” I couldn’t control my snicker. “Was it the incest part that tripped you up? Like, literally?”
“Let’s go upstairs, then we can talk. I’m not sure what’s going to fly out of your mouth next and I would prefer not to have to take you back to the hospital.”
“Yeah, that sucked. The leg sucks. I should be out of your hair already, but now you’re stuck with me.”
Holden didn’t respond as he carried me up another flight of stairs from the main floor and down a hallway. “My room is next to yours if you need anything.” He nodded to it as we passed by, then strolled through an open door.
“Crutches? Are you withholding them, so I don’t try to run again?” I raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you keeping me a prisoner?” I gasped, and my hand flew to my mouth in mock surprise.
Holden laughed and set me down on a queen-sized bed. Instead of white furniture like in his sister’s room, it was all a dark, rich brown wood. The bed had a million baby-blue-and-cream throw pillows and a matching comforter.
“No, it’s just that everyone showed up and I forgot. Where’s your phone?”
