Page 60 of Unbearable
“Well, she is. Anyway, I’m almost positive he and Fox had something to do with Jimmy’s trouble. Turns out, my idiot boyfriend has a pretty big tell.” Brooke smiles again, this time in triumph. “It keeps happening more and more. The dumbass doesn’t even try to hide it.”
“A tell for what?” Bailey was already exhausted from dealing with her sister. Why was it impossible to have a normal, enjoyable conversation when they were together? She had always yearned for the kind of sibling bond that seemed to only exist in books. They had more of an adversarial relationship.
“For when he’s lying to me,” Brooke sighed in exasperation like her big sister was also an idiot. “I asked him about Jimmy the other day, and his nose started bleeding. Just spewed everywhere.”
“That’s awful,” Bailey said, laying her fork on her plate. She was almost finished anyway.
“Right? Completely disgusting. I had to get out of there. But, anyway, I now know he’s been lying to me.” Brooke stabbed a piece of chicken off her plate and popped it into her mouth. She chewed it aggressively, cocking her head at Bailey. The look of satisfaction on her face reminded her of an evil manipulatormore than a faithful girlfriend. “I mean he didn’t do that before, but lately, it’s happening more and more.”
Knox had explained that with certain gifts, especially those that were mental, came physical repercussions. She knew if Memphis appeared as a hologram too many times, it made him sick. Knox told her about how bad it got looking for Thayer.
It only made sense that if Fox tried to change someone’s emotions too hard, it made his nose bleed. Of course, she could say none of this to Brooke. Even if her sister believed her, she would find a way to turn it to her advantage.
As hard as it was to accept that there are people in this world with abilities that go beyond the rest of humanity, it was even harder to keep it their secret. She wondered how their significant others, like Dex, did it. She made a mental note to ask him when she had a chance. If she was going to stay with Fox, she had a lot to learn.
“Are you listening to me?” Brooke barked, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Yes. Nosebleed, got it. Are you sure you shouldn’t have him checked for a brain tumor or something?”
“Fuck’s sake, Bailey.” Brooke rolled her eyes again. “To be so book smart, you are such a moron when it comes to life stuff. He doesn’t have a brain tumor.”
“Hey, you don’t always have to be nasty.”
“It only hurts because it’s the truth.”
“Really?” Bailey’s blood was starting to boil. She had driven all the way into the city, in a nice dress, only to be insulted. “He lies to you all the time? Is that why you threw the mug at him, because he’s the one lying?”
She wished she could take the words back. There’s no way she should know what happened last night unless Fox told her. And that would only happen if he had talked to her.
“Huh,” Brooke said tossing her napkin on the table. “I knew it. I knew he’s been fucking you on the side. Though why he’d be interested in that.” She waved a hand at Bailey. “When he has all of this I can’t fathom. I guess just the thrill of doing sisters. That’ll pass of course. He’ll realize you’re nothing more than seconds at best.”
“We haven’t been—” she tried to argue. But what could she say. They had slept together.
“Save it,” Brooke said, standing. The other diners were starting to take an interest in their conversation. “I knew you’d stab me in the back just like all the rest of them. I’m only going to tell you this once, so listen up. You come near my boyfriend, my son, or my ex-husband again, and I’ll end you. Do you understand?” She didn’t wait for a response. Spinning around on her impossibly high heels, she stalked out of the restaurant.
“Sorry,” Bailey mumbled to her fellow diners.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” the server asked, hovering at the edge of the table. At least she waited until Brooke left before trying to hustle her out the door. She couldn’t even fathom the fallout if she had approached when her sister was in mid-threat.
“Just the bill, please. I think I’ve done enough for today.” The waitress squeezed her shoulder before returning to the kitchen. Bailey debated if she was going to cry but decided nothing her sister did could make her cry anymore.
She didn’t worry about warning Fox that Brooke was on the warpath. He would have to deal with his own fallout over breaking up with her. No one broke up with Brooke. She was the one that left.
Ethan was another story though. It worried her how Brooke would use the little boy to get even with her. She would have no problem making her son part of the punishment. She had done it in the past. This time would be no different.
The server brought the check, which was impressive to say the least. Bailey looked at the barely touched salad on the other side of the table. “I’ll take that to go,” she said handing her credit card over. At least the lunch wasn’t a complete loss. She would get two meals out of the experience.
Her thoughts turned to Knox. Had Brooke sunk her claws into him also? She doubted he could be intimidated by anyone. Still, she should talk to him. How did everything get so complicated? Life had begun to tangle the second Brooke caught Fox’s eye. The woman should come with a caution sign.
She stood, taking her container of salad, and walked to the door. It really was a nice restaurant. Maybe next time she would bring Fox here for date night. The thought made her smile. Screw her sister and her threats. This was one war she intended to win.
CHAPTER 23
Brooke stoodat the end of the bar waiting for someone to buy her first drink. She had to ride the train all the way to the north end to find a bar Edmund approved of. He insisted that everything be done tonight to his strict instructions. They would see about that. If she was to be an equal partner, he needed to learn there was more than one way to skin a cat.
A few minutes later a pink drink was deposited in front of her. She took a long slow drink as she spun on her stool to smile at her mark for tonight when the bartender pointed him out. He was no more than forty with blond hair and pale brown eyes. His clothes screamed that he had money, but not obscene amounts. Perfect.
“May I join you?” he asked, sliding onto the stool next to her before she could answer.