Page 93 of Hearts and Hidden Secrets

JONAH

I didn’t like the way any of them were watching Carson.

She was a new enigma to Kai. She was a new toy for Tanner. And Brooke… I spared a look up from the counter. I had no idea.

I’d expected some reaction from her when I came in holding hands with Carson, when I informed Brooke I’d be making the dinner.

There was none. Normal Brooke would’ve been throwing attitude. She tended to come off as spoiled, though she wasn’t. It was mostly a wall to manage strangers. Instead, she barely gave Carson a look, stepping to the side and refilling her wine glass.

She and Tanner were at the kitchen island now, working on their second bottle.

Both were quiet. Kai leaned against the counter, on his phone.

He’d been on it since I’d started cooking.

I’d taken whatever Brooke had been making off the stovetop—I had no clue what it was—drained the water and tossed it in the garbage.

Carson stood next to me, helping. Head down. Quiet. She stuck close to my side.

She was smart.

“So…” Tanner refilled his wine as he broke the silence in the room. “Carson.”

I felt her tense, straightening next to me where she’d been cutting vegetables for the sub sandwiches. She glanced at me, still staying close.

He finished pouring and put the glass back down, with a little extra thump.

I flicked the burner to simmer, covered the dish, and turned to face him as well.

Brooke looked away, her eyes glazed and her fingers clenched tight around the glass.

Kai’s gaze was firmly on Brooke.

Tanner smiled at Carson, looking a bit predatory. “When I left, you and Jonah weren’t getting along.” He picked his glass up, motioning between us. “Now I’m noticing a closeness that wasn’t there before. Care to elaborate?”

Carson stiffened and took a breath.

“I’m sorry, but I hated Melissa,” Brooke cut in.

My heart dipped, and I whirled to look at her.

Carson gripped my arm, and I frowned at her, but she looked only at Brooke.

Tanner snorted. “Tell us how you really feel.”

“I don’t mean to talk bad about her, since she’s dead, but?—”

“No,” Tanner said. “Please do. I didn’t care for her either. I’m riveted.”

I gave him a look. “I didn’t know that.”

He shrugged. “You were banging. I didn’t think it’d be serious. Then you broke up how many times? The engaged part—that threw me—but you were mourning. You still are, so I was quiet. But since Brooke is letting it out…” He gave another shrug.

Kai frowned, but he didn’t say anything.

Brooke’s eyes didn’t seem entirely focused.

The alcohol was taking its toll. A tear slipped down her cheek.

“You loved her, Jonah, but I didn’t like her.

And I feel shitty saying that. I’m just…

relieved, and how awful of a person does that make me?

She would’ve been terrible for you. A girl knows.

You and she were on and off, then back on, and I just had this dread about it.

I know you, Jonah. You were feeling restless, looking for your place to fit in—but you fit in with us. You’re one of us. We?—”

She broke off, turning to look out the window.

Another tear trickled down her cheek. “She didn’t like not knowing your family, and I get that.

That’s normal, but when I overheard your call with her, I had this horrible, horrible feeling, and now she’s dead, and I’m grateful and that makes me the worst. And if anyone felt that way about my little girl, I’d want to murder them.

Melissa has a mom, and I’m trying to think of her, but…

” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “All I can feel is that my little brother won’t be lost to us anymore. ”

“Brooke.” I started to go to her, but again, Carson held me back, still watching Brooke.

“I’m sorry she’s gone,” Brooke continued. “I really am, and I know it’s because of our family, but I’m still so relieved. I had a feeling she was going to take you away from us, maybe turn you against us, and I didn’t know how I was going to handle that.” She began to cry in earnest.

Tanner was right next to her. My eyes urged him to hug her, comfort her, do something.

He just grinned and took a drink of his wine.

Then, after a moment, Brooke seemed more focused. She looked at me, her eyes softening, and turned to Carson next to me. I expected her to harden. She didn’t. The two of them watched each other, sizing each other up, but there was no hostility.

I was confused.

“He never fought for her,” Brooke said after a moment.

I felt that, a direct hit to my chest. But she was right. I hadn’t.

“He kept her separate, but he shoved his brother out of the way for you.”

Kai shook his head. “It’s not the same situation.”

Brooke turned to him, raising her chin, a little unsteady.

“You’re right. Maybe. I have no idea the situation with this one, but he never brought Melissa around.

Whatever the situation, I know she wouldn’t have been in the same room with all of us.

He’d have kept her somewhere else, locked away.

But this one, she’s here. She’s at his side. That says something.”

Tanner finished his wine and stood, picking up the now-empty bottle. “Why are we cooking dinner? It’s ten at night.” He looked around. “I ate. Brooke ate on the plane. Kai, you probably ate on your flight down, too.”

Brooke finished her wine. “I needed to do something.”

As if on cue, Carson’s stomach grumbled.

Everyone heard, turning to us.

“Sorry.” Carson’s hand went to her stomach. “Didn’t eat all day.”

“See!” Brooke snapped her fingers, surging to her feet. “There. I knew there was a reason I started cooking. Someone always needs to eat, no matter what time of day.”

Tanner snorted. “Saved by the hostage.”

Brooke’s face went flat. “What? She’s a hostage?”

Tanner cringed.

Kai shot him a look. “No, Brooke. She’s not, but on that note, the rest of us are going to my office. It’s business. You’ve stated you don't want to know.”

Brooke’s eyebrows went up, and she looked ready to fight, but her shoulders soon deflated. She nodded, wrapping her sweater tighter around herself. “You’re right. I don’t want to know until the day I have to know. On that note, I should call my husband.”

She crossed to the door and stopped to look at me. “I’m sorry for your loss, Jonah. I’m sorry you have to go through this.”

My throat swelled up, but I nodded. “It’s getting better. Every day.”

She probably didn’t believe me, but it was the truth. And I felt sort of wrong about it, because that shouldn’t have been the case. I should’ve still been devastated, and a part of me was, but…a part of me wasn’t.

I didn’t know how to wrap my head around that.

“Office,” Kai said. “Now.”

Carson gave me a look.

Right. She needed answers.

So did I.