Chapter 10

Brooklyn

Okay, so things have been a little on the tense side since Blake's birthday party. That's putting it mildly. Eden is at least being nice about it; maybe she's had time to digest the information. But her up and running off to Atlanta the first chance she gets tells me all I need to know.

For one; I need to put my little fantasy to bed.

She doesn't feel what I feel, and there's no way she's even remotely making any plans to reconcile with me. In fact, it's the opposite.

I know I haven't divulged anything of this nature to her, and I don't know what I was hoping for… maybe that she wouldn't be so horrified that we're still married. I guess it came as a shock.

The fact is, she ran into Kirk's arms. Exactly where I didn't want her to go.

And why would she run to me anyway? It's been so long since we were like that and she has no idea of my true feelings. I only just discovered them myself.

So I do what I always do and plunge myself into work. Whether it be in the distillery or at home, I'm always doing something. Now I have the green light for the new blends, things can get underway and I can stop hiding for hours on end.

Celeste is designing the new logo as we speak, with some help from Georgia, based on the sketches I gave her and a full rundown on what I envisioned the label to look like. I still want the Bassett bull logo but with a twist.

"You're looking broody," Beau says as I sit down to eat lunch at work. I'm trying everything to get my mind off Eden being down in Georgia. I need to get a grip.

"I have a lot on my plate." I take my hat off and run a hand through my hair.

He gives me a strange look from the coffee machine, his forehead crumples. "You always do, it never bothered you before."

"This isn't work related," I say.

"Women troubles?"

My eyes flick toward him, wondering how much I should divulge. "Maybe."

"Well, I'm probably not the guy to dish out the best advice, due to my limited experience, but I can bend an ear."

I smile at my youngest brother. He's always been all heart. "Thanks, bro. Appreciate it." I tuck into my salad with some homemade vegetable koftas I made, chopped up and sprinkled through. "But it's a delicate matter."

"Aren't women troubles always like that?"

"No truer words spoken." I clear my throat. "It's me and Eden."

"I thought you guys were good?"

"We are good, but I've fucked up royally this time."

"With what?" He turns to look at me, alarm written all over his face. Everyone in this family loves Eden.

"Look, you have to be sworn to secrecy, only Gabe knows."

"Of course." He holds his hands up.

I glance at the door to make sure no one else, like my nosy sister, is in earshot. "You know how Eden was asking me about the divorce papers recently? Some shit to do with her passport?"

"Yeah, you mentioned something about her going on a vacation."

"Well I found the damned things in my filing cabinet, but I never filed them…" I glance up to see if he's following on. He scrunches his brow. "So… we're still married."

He stops foaming the milk and turns his neck to look at me. "Shit, Brook."

"I know." I put my head in my hands, letting out a sigh I'm well aware I've been holding in. "I had one job to do and all of that. And I swear to fucking God I forgot, or I thought I had done it. Obviously it slipped my mind."

He leans back on the kitchen cabinet and tilts his head, looking thoughtful for a moment. "I believe you. I guess shit happens, right?"

I glance up at him. "Shit happens," I chuckle. "That's all you have to say?"

"You can re-do the papers if you have to, and divorce her for the second time. I guess it will be the first time, technically. But that's apples and oranges."

I suck in my bottom lip while I contemplate his logic. I guess it really is as simple as that when it comes down to it.

It's just Eden's reaction that has been bothering me the most. Not that I blame her. I just feel indifferent and I don't know how to make it up to her.

"Re-do them?" I say.

He shrugs. "Okay, maybe it's a shock to you both, since I'm assuming you've told her?"

"Just after Blakes's party. She knew something was up and I couldn't keep it from her forever."

"And what was her reaction?"

"It wasn't good, mainly because she thought she'd been divorced for three years, certainly not still married. Then there's the legalities of if she had gone to remarry."

"Which she hasn't, so that's a good thing."

"That's what I tried to say. I apologized of course. I'm trying to make it right, but she walked off and went home right after. I haven't spoken to her since, only texting."

"At least she's still texting, it could be worse." He turns to continue his coffee.

"I guess." Though I'm not sure anything could be worse at this point.

"You know what I really think, Brook?" Beau doesn't have a ton to say about anyone or anything in particular, but when he does give advice or says something when we're not goofing around, it's usually profound.

"I'm all ears."

"I think you give her a couple of days to cool off and digest all the info. From what I know about women, they don't like to be bombarded at times like these. She'll be thinking about it in her way. Then I'm sure she'll come around, and you'll work it out. You always do."

"So lay off the texting?"

"Absolutely, just for a few days, give her some breathing room. It's probably bringing up some past things for her."

"Well, it is for me too."

Beau walks over and sits at the table next to me after making his coffee. "How are you feeling about it?" he asks.

I shake my head. "The second I found the papers, I couldn't help thinking that maybe it was a sign."

"A sign?"

"Yeah, you know, like the ones Georgia's always talking about."

His eyes widen. "About you and Eden together?"

"Something like that. Maybe it's the universe's way of saying things aren't done or some shit. You see my problem?"

"It's not really a problem if you still love her."

I eye him again. "How could that not be a problem, Beau?" All the air leaves my lungs.

"Because there are really only two solutions; you get back together, or you divorce her for real."

"Is everything this black and white to you all the time?"

"Since I haven't been tainted by having my heart broken repeatedly, I guess it is."

"Just give it time," I joke, giving him a good-natured pat on the shoulder.

"So you're saying that finding the divorce papers suddenly stirred up old feelings after all this time?"

"Yes." I sigh, even if I don't really want to admit it. There's no point denying it now. "But if I'm being honest it was before that. Now it just seems like… like I'm just tryin' to stir up trouble."

"You can't help how you feel. Just see what happens once the dust settles."

"I know." I go back to eating my salad for a moment. Then swallowing, I pause again. "But judging by her reaction, I'm not so sure how I'll get back here with my balls intact."

"What if she felt the same way?" he asks.

The fleeting thought has crossed my mind before. There's always been that question of what if. But for all intents and purposes, I shake my head. "She has a boyfriend."

"Doesn't mean she doesn't care for you. She hasn't married the guy, or anyone else for that matter."

"She's only been dating him a few months."

"Forget the guy, Brook. What I'm saying is you need to talk to Eden when she gets back. Give her the time she needs and it'll come together naturally. Or ‘organically,' as Georgia would say."

"You're probably right."

He takes a couple of long, slow sips of his coffee.

"You know, your advice isn't all that bad for someone who has his head stuck in a computer game when he's not figuring out the world's problems."

Beau laughs, showing his dimples. "A modern day Dr. Phil, you think?"

"I wouldn't go that far."

"And here Georgia is telling me I'm useless when it comes to women."

"You can't be that bad, with a baby face like yours," I muse.

Beau is the least out of all us men to have experience with women. He's had a couple of girlfriends, but not recently, and nothing too serious. I don't think he's even putting himself out there on the dating scene. And Georgia-Blue, she's dated here and there, but she's always maintained she's waiting for the right one to come along. The universe will provide, and all of that.

It's no wonder my mom was ecstatic when Gray found Hartley, and then Gabe got together with his super-nanny, Skye. Who knows, I could be next.

"Baby face or not, it's probably time I started out on the dating scene again."

"Been a while for ya, bro?"

"Too long. But you know me, I'm not really into the casual dating scene."

"What about a dating app? You have your nose stuck in a damn computer most of the day," I say.

He wrinkles up his nose. "Screw that. Have you seen the maniacs on those things? I mean, I don't wanna get paired with some crazy woman."

I burst out laughing at the prospects of that happening in a little town like Stoney Creek. Not exactly terrifying statistics.

We're interrupted by voices, and sure enough Georgia and Celeste walk in to have their lunch. That's definitely my cue to leave and get on with my day, maybe even take some of Beau's advice and lay low.

"What are you two whispering about in here?" Georgia asks, narrowing her eyes at the pair of us, placing a hand on her hip. I don't know how my sister always seems to smell trouble.

I need to straighten this shit out with Eden before the whole family gets involved. "Nothing," I say at the same time Beau says, "Women."

I facepalm myself.

"Ooh, do tell." That's all the scope she needs to sidle on over and jump on her own meddling band wagon. If match-making were an Olympic sport, my sister would win the gold medal.

"There's nothing to tell," I assure her, trying to keep my expression neutral. "Just makin' sure my little bro here is being safe." That cops me a look from Beau at the same time Georgia screws up her face.

"Ew," she grumbles.

"You really wanna hear about your brother's love lives?" Beau turns his attention to Georgia.

"Definitely not yours." She shudders. Celeste laughs, grabbing her lunch out of the fridge and walking over to the table. "Because you don't have a love life, but Brook… what's going on with you?"

"Zilch," I say, finishing off the last of my salad and pushing my chair out. That's definitely my cue to leave. "Nothing to report. Zero. Zip."

"Are you sure?" She places her hand on her hip, eyeing me suspiciously. "You seemed a little rattled at Blake's party."

"I did?"

"Only to me. You seemed annoyed, mainly at that Kirk guy." She's on fucking fire today. Not that I like her insinuating tone, even if it is true.

"I was watching out for Eden if you must know. That dude doesn't give me good vibes."

"I agree there," she says.

My head snaps back to look at her. "You do?"

"Just something a bit off with him."

"You said there was a bit of a dark cloud hanging over him, right, George?" Celeste says.

"A dark cloud?" My eyebrows furrow as I contemplate their words.

"Yeah, I mean I don't think he's Jack the Ripper or anything." Georgia waves off that notion, like we're talking about the weather. "Just something a bit off. Maybe it's just me. The full moon is doing wacky things to me this week."

I eye her.

"It's a thing, Brooke. The planets are aligned with our emotions." She says matter-of-factory, like I'm dumb.

I chuckle. "And here I thought Gabe was the only stargazer in the family. Maybe I should borrow that fancy telescope Skye just got for him."

"Maybe you should?" Beau offers, I'm sure he thinks he's being helpful.

I shoot him a look — one the girls don't see — and quickly motion for him to zip it.

"Thanks for your input, but I think I'll be fine."

"We should have drinks this weekend," Beau continues. "We haven't been out in ages."

"Oooh, I'm in." Georgia claps her hands, glancing toward Celeste for her input.

"I meant the boys," he informs her.

Her face drops. "I might get the girls together myself. Where are you going, Moose's?"

"Don't know yet." He shrugs. It's not like there's a whole range of options in a small town.

"Hudson might defend his title this weekend if y'all are lucky," I chuckle.

Georgia's eyes light up, because she always loves to challenge Hudson. They've been like that since we were kids. "Someone needs to knock him off his pedestal."

"Good luck with that." Celeste laughs. "Him being an ex-bull rider and all."

"The man is a machine," Beau agrees, then gives me a chin lift. "So, are you on for Friday?"

"Sure, why not. Eden will be back by then, it's her weekend with Blake."

"And don't you girls even think about crashing our night," Beau warns with a wag of his finger.

Georgia rolls her eyes dramatically. "Like we'd want to!" But she's scheming for sure, I can tell by that look in her eyes that she's up to something. "Hanging out with my brothers in the Tavern on a Friday night sounds so awesome."

"You love us really," I say. "I gotta get back. I'm boot scootin' tonight. Blake's gonna break in her new cowgirl boots."

"She looked so cute at the party," Georgia hollers as I walk over to the sink and quickly wash out my bowl and fork.

"Must take after her dad." I wink. "See y'all later."

Blake and I have a great evening at the community hall. It's always some fun and the time passes quickly. I've been doing it for years. Laura Delaney isn't here tonight, so I can put my competitive edge away and stuff around a little with my daughter.

Blake's friend, Juliette, is here though, and her mom, Amber, has got a crush on me.

I know this because she's always giving me eyes at school pickup, being extra friendly and tries to touch. She's a nice enough lady, but not really my type. Contrary to popular belief, I don't sleep with every woman I meet.

I admit, I did go through a few women after my divorce and I was having a lot of fun there for a while letting loose. All on Blake's off week of course.

"My, my, aren't you just the swaggering cowboy out there." Amber beelines for me when we're taking our break. Blake is chatting to Juliette, showing off her new boots just out of ear-shot.

"Oh, I try my best," I chuckle, trying to keep it light. I figure it's best in these kind of awkward situations.

"Where did you get Blake's new boots, they're just divine!"

"Her mother bought them for her birthday. I'm not sure where she got them." I'm tempted to use the term ‘my wife' again, but I refrain. Everyone who lives here knows we're divorced.

It's also something I did not want to be discussing. I thought this would be the last place I'd be talking about my wife. It seems there's no escaping it.

"Blake's as cute as a button. A little bit like her daddy," she goes on.

I smile to myself. Amber is a nice looking woman, I can't deny that. With curves in all the right places, and a huge rack. She has long, chestnut hair down to her waist, and big, full, pouty lips. She's attractive, sure. But she scares the fuck out of me. I've heard she's a wild one in bed and likes to get a little freaky.

"I know plenty of people who would describe me very differently." I smile and try to switch tact. "That cowgirl hat might just take out first prize." She's wearing a leopard print shirt with tassels, and has the same leopard print sash which ties around her hat.

"Thanks, I made the ribbon myself. I'm good with my hands." She flutters her eyelashes and gives me a not-so-subtle wink.

I laugh good-naturedly. At one point I would have said yes. I know how to show a woman a good time, I ain't selfish with it, but my dick is limp thinking about Amber when all I can think about is Eden.

"Good to know." I press my lips together just as we're called back out to the dance floor to resume the second half. I spot Blake and start walking. "See you out there."

"Bye-bye." She finger waves.

I make my escape and put my arm around Blake when I get to her. "Havin' fun, honey?"

"Yeah, but I think Juliette's mom likes you, Dad," Blake giggles as we make our way back out to the floor.

"Nah, she's just being nice," I say, twirling my darlin' around. "You're the only girl Dad wants to dance with tonight."