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Brooke looks over where we are standing looking very interested in
my answer. This is way too much fun. "Trust me. No need to scare this
one.”

Jax starts trying to figure out what to do with the corn while he
contemplates my statement. "Ah, I get it.  So what did you do to him?"

"Not a damn thing. He’ll be here soon, and you can see for
yourself.”

I’m driving them both crazy, but hell if I want to stop this crazy
train. We get everything on the stove, and the doorbell finally rings followed
by Cassie yelling while running up the stairs, “He’s here.  I’ll get it.” She
smoothes her hair and clothes down and takes a deep breath. The three of us
watch fascinated at the show. And then the doorbell rings again.  “Okay, everyone
act normal,” Then she shoots a warning at Jackson, “Be nice.”

Damn,
she
really
likes this boy.

We casually follow her to the foyer just in time to see her give
him a big hug, and then his eyes nearly fall out of his head when he gets a
look at Jax.

This shit is priceless.

I’m barely holding back from laughing and step forward to shake
his hand. “Nice to see you again, Austin.” After we release, I have to wipe my
hand down the side of my jeans. Wettest handshake I’ve ever had.

"Nice to meet you again, sir. Thank you for having me for
dinner." And then the poor kid holds out flowers. Of course, I have no
idea if they’re for Cassie or me, or who the fuck ever, and sadly neither does
anyone else.

Brooke is the one who steps forward, “I’ll take those, Austin.  They're
lovely, thank you.” She turns to me and stares.

What?

Then she turns back to him and reaches out her hand. This time,
his eyes are bugging out for a whole different reason.
The little shit is
eyeing my girlfriend.
"I'm Brooke; it's very nice to meet you,
Austin."

He nods, staring at Brooke, and still shaking her hand. Okay, who
can blame him? "Nice to meet you too, ma’am."

Brooke finally pulls her hand back and wipes it down the ass of
her cutoffs. She must have got a wet hello too.

Then my good buddy Jax steps up, and Cassie introduces him, “And
this is Jackson, he's like another brother. Jax this is Austin.”

Jax sizes him up and smirks at me. They shake hands and after
wiping his hand down the side of his jeans goes in for the kill. Wait for it,
“Hey, Austin.  Do you have a car?”

“Yes, I drive a Prius.”

Oh, God, no, a fucking Prius? Really?

“
That’s a perfect car for
a nice young boy like yourself to drive.” Then he gives him a light thump on
the back which nearly sends him sprawling. Then gets one last verbal hit in,
"Treat her right, and you and I will have no problems."

Austin's head bobs up and down with his eyes still wide,
"Yes, sir. I will. I promise."

Brooke finally puts an end to our fun and drags Jax and me back to
the kitchen to finish dinner, and I don’t miss the relief I see on Austin’s
face to be getting away from Jax.

Once the three of us are back fixing dinner, well the two of us,
Jackson is just along for the ride, I have to break the seal, "See what I
was talking about?"

Brooke giggles and covers her mouth, and then in a loud whisper,
"He's certainly not what I was expecting from what she told me about him,
but he's sweet."

Jax heads straight to the sink to wash his hands. “Before you two
touch my food, please wash the sweat off.” Brooke and I snort watching him
scrub his hands. “Seriously, the kid had a monsoon in his palm.”

Yeah, he’s right.

Brooke grabs a vase for the flowers he brought taking them to the
sink, and I follow to wash my hands. That was one of the slickest handshakes
I’ve ever had.

I grab the potatoes to drain in the sink and laugh, "I like
him. He’s like 90 pounds soaking wet and way too easy to scare the shit out of. 
Hell, I’ve been nothing but nice, and you see how he acts like he’s two seconds
from taking a dump in his shorts.”

Brooke grabs the potatoes and puts them in a bowl then adds milk
and butter. “You two stop. I think he’s very sweet.  And he’s so polite.  He
called you two sir and me ma’am. What more could we ask for?”

Jax agrees, “Yeah, I got no problem.  He drives a fuckin Prius for
Christ’s sake.”

Brooke looks at him, “What does his car have to do with anything?”

“Oh, come on, Brooke.  After dating Shriller in high school, you
can’t tell me that riding in his hot rod didn’t get your panties wet.”

And he just had to go there, the fucker.

Brooke just shakes her head at Jax, but she isn’t upset. She seems
amused by his antics, and it makes me think these two may end up being friends
someday, I, on the other hand, thump him upside his head. “Stop your shit,
fucker.”

He laughs, “Fine. I’m gonna join the kids.”

“Be nice, Jackson,” Brooke warns.

When dinner is on the table, Brooke calls for everyone.  Luke
strolls in weighing a good 90 pounds heavier than Cassie’s boyfriend and the
poor thing’s eyes get big again. When he does that the lens on his glasses make
him look freakishly cartoonish.

Luke holds his hand out to shake Austin’s, “I’m Luke.” The kid
winces and retrieves his hand to flex it, and Luke grabs a napkin off the table
to dry his.

"I know, I've seen you around school."

It's clear that Luke has never paid attention to this kid in
school. It's way more than obvious they don’t run in the same circle. Luke's
group is the one that gets noticed, and Austin’s set just doesn’t.  Luke nods
his head and then turns to Brooke, "Is the food ready? I'm starving."

He's always fucking starving.

Brooke answers him. “Yep, wash up and grab your place. She follows
him to the kitchen, and when she returns, she’s carrying another napkin and
giving Luke the warning glare. I can only imagine what was said.

Dinner is as always loud.  Austin eventually loosens up, and by
the end of the meal has even managed to stop dropping his silverware whenever
someone says something to him.

While we’re clearing the table, Brooke gets a call and has to
leave early, which pisses me off. I was hoping for a little alone time once Jax
and Austin took off. Now I’m wondering when I’ll get to see her again. So after
everyone is gone and I’m in my room, I shoot her a text.

Me: Friday night, my room.

Brooke: Can’t. Forgot to tell you tonight that Friday I’m going
out with coworkers for a girl’s night out. Sorry.

Well fuck.
Don’t get me wrong. 
I trust Brooke, but she’s fucking hot, and I don’t trust motherfuckers that
will be looking at her.

I don’t not like this shit at all.

Brooke

I drain the rest of my beer while listening to another crazy
client story from Paige.  Surprisingly, I’m having a good time. I agreed to
join them before Dylan asked me, well told me, to be at his house tonight, and
then immediately regretted accepting the invitation from Paige and Marla. Now,
I’m kind of glad I came.  We kept it low key by coming to a little bar and
grill, so there was no need to go home and primp, which I like after a crazy
week at work. The best night was dinner with the Monroe family and meeting
Cassie’s new boyfriend. The rest of the week was shot to hell after taking the
call right after we finished eating. Since then it’s been one damn thing after
another.  That’s why I’m on beer two in the last 30 minutes and signaling for
number three. 
Ahh, I love Corona
.

I feel hands cover my eyes from behind and an excited, “Guess
who.”

I laugh at Alex’s attempted surprise.  “Huh, this could be
difficult. I don’t think I recognize the voice I’ve heard nearly every day of
my life since I was a child.”

Alex plops on the stool beside me, “Shut up. I tried.” She reaches
over and grabs my empty bottle. “How many have you had so I’ll know how many to
order so I can catch up?”

“That’s my second.”

“Great, who’s our server?” She looks around.

Marla and Paige are smiling at our back and forth. Alex pretty
much always blows in like a mini tornado. While we wait for our next round, I
introduce Alex to the girls. After our next round arrives, we send our handsome
server back with quite a list of appetizers instead of individual dinner
orders. Paige assures us the appetizers are large, and since we placed an order
of six, I don’t think drinking on an empty stomach is going to be a problem.

By round five we’re pretty much all feeling the effects of
alcohol, well, except Alex, who stopped at three since she has to open the
salon the next morning.  Janice points at Alex and me from across the table,
"You two are just too damn pretty, and it makes me feel like an old
troll."

I shake my head and laugh, "You’re crazy, you look
great."

She shakes her head back at me, "Nope, you both have every
guy in this bar staring at you and contemplating their move."

Alex laughs, "It's because you’re all married and can see the
wedding rings.”

They both look down at their left hands and back to us, “Ohhh.” We
all laugh at their obvious miss.

“Well we need to find the two of you some men, just consider us
your wings tonight ladies,” Marla slurs.

She and Paige start pointing out a number of men around the place,
and I shift uncomfortably in my seat. I was hoping with the two of them being
married that men weren’t going to factor into the evening.  I’ve never
understood why girl’s night out always has to turn into finding the single
friends a man night out. 
I have a man dammit.
It’s just too bad I can’t
share the awesomeness that is my boyfriend with them.

Of course,
Alex who fits right in
with my coworkers is all for the manhunt idea and wastes no time in scouting
the bar. It doesn’t take long either as three gentlemen around our age are led
to the recently vacated table next to hours.  Immediately she goes into
predator mode. Rather than put up a fuss or ruin her attempts I play along. A
round later and they’ve dragged their table over to ours, and we’re all having
a really good time.  Turns out they both have girlfriends who are on their own
girl’s night out, so everything stays comfortable without me having to pretend
to flirt or having to fight off unnecessary grabs and gropes. Which just lets
me relax enough to enjoy drinking away the crazy that was my week.

Around 9, I make my way to the bathroom and decide to check in
with Dylan.

Me: Mitt u.

Oops. Oh well, he’ll understand.

Dylan: You’re drunk aren’t you?

Me: Myve. Just a kittle bit.
Ur
doing?

I should really quit drunk texting.

Dylan: Watching a love story with Cassie.

Me: Romance.

Dylan: ?

Hmm, I don’t think I can explain the difference if there even is
one.

Me: Nothing.

I sigh because suddenly wish I were there.

Fingers snap in front of my face while I stare at the screen on my
phone. I look up at Alex, "Brooke, why are you in here texting. We’ve got
drinking to do.”

I slip my phone back into my purse, "Cassie."

“Well come on.”

Back at the table, Marla and Paige look up questioning.  I didn’t
realize I was gone for so long, but it was long enough that the guys who were
with us before have gone. 
Shit, how long was I gone?

I apologize. “Sorry, ladies.”

Alex explains, “She was in the bathroom texting, Cassie Monroe.”

"You are so dedicated, Brooke.
But I’ll give you another year of it before you’re cussing all the evening
interruptions.  I can’t believe you aren’t burned out now with the caseloads
we’re being forced to carry.”

She isn’t lying about that. “
She’s
a sweet girl,” I simply say.

I order another beer when the waitress stops by to check on us. 
Since I’m uncomfortable with the topic of the Monroes, I use this opportunity
to change the subject.  "I say we make this a monthly girl’s night out.”

“That sounds pretty good.” Alex pipes up. I knew she wouldn’t have
a problem with the idea.

The other two agree, and the topic turns to other bars around town
for us to try out.  An hour later and a couple more drinks in I’m feeling way
past intoxicated and just plain drunk. There is no way I'm driving tonight.
Alex has to leave and offers to drive me home, but Marla and Paige want me to
stay.  Since I’m having a good time and have nowhere to be tomorrow, I decide
to take advantage of the invitation. The girls promise Alex that I’ll make it
home safely, so she leaves satisfied that I’m in good hands.

Alex shakes her head and grins, "Alright, Brooke, I can't
believe I'm the sober one worried about you getting home."

I laugh, "Go and sleep. You've been working too much
lately."

"I'll see ya tomorrow, but let me know you made it home
okay.”

I drunkenly salute her, "Yes, mom."

She leaves the bar, and the rest of us last another hour laughing
at the other drunks shedding their workweek.  Finally, they pour me in a taxi,
and I slur the address to the driver.

On the drive, I shoot a quick text to Alex.

Me: Stay at Marla. Don’t worry.

The letters on the phone are all blurring together. I can't
remember the last time I was this drunk.

I sneak, okay I stumble, my way as quietly as possible to Dylan’s
French door and knock quietly. When there’s no answer I know a little harder,
hopefully not too hard. 
Mmm, Dylan, hard.

Finally the doors open, “Brooke, what you are doing?

I fall toward him and wrap my arms around his neck giggling,
“Drunk sex.” I whisper loudly.

He holds me up in those strong arms of his, “Let me guess, drunk
and horny?”

“Oh, yeah.” He’s shirtless, and I slide my fingers into the
waistband of the pajama bottoms he’s wearing.
Mmm, so strong and sexy.
I
love the muscles in his ass.

I push against him to move toward the bed, but we run into his
dresser instead causing it to move across the wood floors, and it’s
surprisingly loud, but it causes me to giggle, “Ooops.”  “Shhh,” We say at the
same time.

“Babe, we have to be quiet.”

I cover my mouth dramatically and whisper loudly, "K.
Sorry."

We both jerk when Luke pounds on the door, “You okay, bro?”

Dylan covers my mouth with his hand when I giggle at the look of
panic on his face, "Yeah, I just stubbed my damn toe. I'm good, though,
night."

Luke walks away from the door, and I push away from Dylan to start
peeling off my clothes.  Unfortunately, my panties give me a little problem,
and I end up ass first on the floor. “Damn, that was supposed to be sexy.”

Dylan joins me on the floor trying to hold back his laughter.
"Damn, if the kids weren't home, this would be hilarious."

I look up at him, "Do you want me to leave?”

He shakes his head and stands to pull me up with him. "Hell
no, I never want you to leave. Let's get on the bed until you sober up a
little.”

He finishes undressing us so we can crawl under the covers, “I’m
glad you don’t want me to leave because I don’t want to either.”

"I guess
you had fun tonight?"

"Too much."

"Any guys hit on you?"

I nod, "Maybe a few, but I brushed them all off with skill. I
have all the man I need right here."

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m glad you had a good time, but I’m even
happier you came here.”

That's the last thing I remember before waking up next to Dylan.
My head is pounding, and I’m trying to remember when it is I ate cotton balls.
I sit up slowly causing Dylan to stir awake beside me. "Mornin’ sunshine,
how you feelin'?"

I slowly shake my aching head, "Shhh. Please don’t speak. And
try not to breathe too loud either.”

The bed moves while he laughs quietly. Carefully getting up from
the bed, he goes to the bathroom and comes back with aspirin and a glass of
water.

“Thanks.” After I down both I hand him back the glass. “I better
call a cab."

He shakes his head, "Why don't you rest for a little bit.
It's Saturday so the kids won't be up for a little while since it’s only
7."

I smile gratefully at him and carefully lie back down,
"You're so sweet."

"That is something I have never been called."

"Well, you are to me.”

A couple of hours later I'm good enough to go, so after a long
goodbye kiss, I sneak out to meet a cab a block down from the house.

I walk into my apartment still pretty much wiped out, but Alex is
there eating lunch.  I was hoping she would still be at work, and I could slip
on off to bed for the rest of the day.

"Finally! Damn, I wasn't sure you were going to make it
home!"

I toss my purse down and sit with her, "You maybe wanna keep
it down.  I’m still not feeling so great.”

"I figured you wouldn’t. You were throwing them back last
night. Felt like high school all over again."

I laugh, "Yeah, well I'm pretty sure I'm over reliving my
glory days. I’ll never drink like that again.”

She laughs, "People always say that when they’re hungover. We
are going out again soon. And by the way, I like the girls you work with. I
can't believe I haven’t met them before last night."

"They liked you too." I stand up because the smell of
her food is definitely taking its toll on me, "I'm gonna lie down."

Her laugh follows me to my room where I plan on sleeping off the
rest of last night’s beer fest.

Monday morning at work things are going pretty well, but I can't
shake the feeling that something is going to go wrong. Things are going way too
well for a Monday, which is usually crazy with calls from clients who decided
to be stupid over the weekend.

I have myself fooled that the
feeling
is a fluke when I make it through lunch, but then my phone rings at two, and my
Spidey senses go on full alert.  I answer the phone with trepidation knowing
that I’m not going to like having to take this call. "Hello, this is
Brooke Porter."

"Hello, Ms. Porter, this is Ruth at Overland Park High
School."
Shit
. "There's been an incident with Lucas Monroe. He
was in a physical altercation with another student. We’ll need you to come here
as soon as possible."

I grasp the bridge of my nose.
Oh, Luke.
"Thank you
for calling, I'll be right there."

I grab my purse and drive to Luke's school.
Please let this be
a misunderstanding like with Michael.
Something I can put a positive
spin on.

Luke is
sitting in a chair
inside the office holding an ice pack over his eye.  His lip is also busted and
swollen.
Shit, shit, shit. Physical altercation, my ass.

I walk over to him, "Luke, are you okay?”

He groans, "They called you?"

I sit in a chair next to him, "Yes, I'm your social worker.
You want to tell me what happened?"

He shakes his head, "No I don't want to talk about it."

Damn
“Luke, this is not the
time to be stubborn. I need to know what happened.” I see Dylan walk in the
main entrance, and he looks furious. “Your brother is here. You need to tell me
something so I can calm him down.”