Brooke
It’s been a long ass week and I’m beat, but looking forward to the family coming over for dinner tonight. Mama has the family over at least every other weekend for dinner, and as tiring as it is, it’s nice to see everyone. Tonight after we eat, Mama and I are sitting down with Kenzie and her aunt to finalize wedding plans. They’re getting married on the Fourth of July, and it will be here before we know it. Mama is really excited. She keeps planning all these parties and telling everyone her family has a lot to celebrate this year. I’m graduating college in a few weeks, and Remy and Kenzie are getting married.
“Brooke, will you come down here and help me out?” Mama shouts from the bottom of the stairs.
“Coming, Mama.” I run down the stairs, knowing she’s in a panic over dinner. Kenzie’s aunt and uncle are joining us as well. They don’t usually, but given that we’re talking about the wedding and her aunt wants to be involved, Mama invited them as well. We have seen a lot more of them since Kenzie’s nana passed away. Her aunt has children, but they don’t live close by. Mama says she includes them because they’re part of the family now, and she doesn’t want them to feel lonely. I swear Kenzie treats them more like parents than their own children do.
“What do you need, Mama?”
“Can you peel these potatoes, please?” Mama hands me a bag of sweet potatoes, a bag for the peels, and a peeler. I set up at the snack bar and work on my task. My mind drifts back to Vaughn. I realized the other day that I never gave him my number. I wonder if Remy would give me his number, and how would Vaughn feel about me reaching out to him. I bite my lip thinking about it as I work on getting these peeled. I’m about done when my brother Remy comes walking in.
“Hey, Mama,” Remy greets Mama and gives her a kiss. “Brooke.” He leans in and gives me a hug.
“Where’s Kenzie?” I ask him, shocked she’s not with him.
“It’s nice to see you too.” I giggle and he shakes his head. “You know, I remember a time when you were thrilled to see me. Now it’s like I don’t exist.”
“I’m sorry. I am thrilled to see you, but I grew up with three brothers, and now I’m going to have another sister-in-law. You have no idea how exciting that is.” A smile spreads across my face.
“I’m here.” Kenzie walks in. “Trust me, I’m thrilled to have a sister as well.” She gives me a hug.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my sister-in-law Kayla, but we’re not close, not like Kenzie and I. Kayla’s family is quite big, and she’s used to having sisters around, where Kenzie is an only child. “Are you excited to finalize your wedding plans tonight?”
A huge smile lights up her face. “I’m so excited.” My mom takes the sweet potatoes and starts to prepare them for dinner.
“I saw Vaughn yesterday,” Remy interrupts our conversation, changing the topic.
“Oh yeah?” I don’t want to give it away that I like him because I don’t want Remy to freak out. I’m not sure how he’ll feel about my dating one of his friends. Last time he caught Vaughn flirting, he wasn’t happy about it. Vaughn is older than me, not that I care. He’s really hot with his muscular build. His dark wavy hair makes me want to run my fingers through it, and when we were on the dance floor, his big hazel eyes pulled me in. I couldn’t break eye contact with him, we were connected if only for a minute. I bite my lip thinking back. When I left that night, all I could think about was running my hand down the bumps of his chest and his abs.
“Earth to Brooke.” Remy shakes me from my thoughts.
I giggle. “Sorry.”
“You like him,” Remy accuses, his eyes wide.
“I do not.” I laugh and try to leave the kitchen, but Remy steps in front of me.
“You do too, and you know what? He likes you too.” Remy looks amused.
“What? How do you know that?” My laughter stops.
“I have my ways.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me. He’s being childish but I’m not mad. He’s my brother, and he’s always been like this with me. Plus, who can be mad with news like this?
“Will you excuse me?” He continues to stare at me and says nothing. My mother and Kenzie are standing behind us, amused by the banter taking place between my brother and I. “What do you want?” I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.
“Admit it.” He crosses his arms and blocks me from leaving the room. I want to escape to the bathroom, if only for a minute, but he’s not having it.
“Why?” He continues to look at me. “Are you going to interfere?”
“No.” He’s fighting a smile, but failing miserably.
I match his stance. “Fine. I like him. I’ve liked him for a long time now, but didn’t say anything because I thought you would freak out.” I’m full of sass.
He bursts into laughter. “Vaughn asked me today if I’d have a problem with him seeing you. He likes you. I told him if he hurt you, I’d kill him.”
“Of course you did. I have one question for you, big shot.” My brows shoot up. “If he likes me so much, why hasn’t he called? He obviously could have gone to you for my number.” It’s been a little over a week since I’ve seen him. I even offered to help him find a dog, figuring it would give him excuse to call. I didn’t give my number, but he could easily get it from you. He didn’t even have to say it was because he liked me…he had the puppy as an excuse.”
“He didn’t have your number until we spoke. I’m not sure why he hasn’t called you yet, but give him a chance. He’s trying to sort out some things right now.” Remy steps to the side, letting me by. I run up the stairs to wash my hands and wrap my head around my thoughts.
What could he be trying to sort? I’m graduating soon, and the last thing I need is a distraction. Staring in the mirror, I contemplate what I should do. Now that Remy has told me he’s okay with me seeing him, I’m pushing him away. I know he won’t treat me poorly like my ex did, but if he’s having issues, can I handle that and deal with graduation and a new job title? What am I saying? He hasn’t even tried to contact me, but damn, I wish he would. I shake my head, I’m a mess.
I hear voices downstairs. Aunt Kenderly and Uncle Jasper are here. I sigh and run back down the stairs to say hello. When I get to the bottom, my brother Dawson and his clan are walking through the door. Becky is getting so big, and Kayla is carrying Beau in a car seat. He’s only a few months old, but he must eat like a beast, because he’s huge. No sooner does Kayla put the carrier down than Remy scoops up his godson and starts to play with him. He looks so sweet holding the baby. I hope they have kids someday. They will make great parents.
“Brooke, can you help me with beverages, please?” Mama calls from the kitchen.
I ask everyone what they’d like to drink and then Kenzie and I head into the kitchen to grab beers, wine, and water. Mama’s busy finishing off dinner, which is almost done. She, as usual, has made a feast, and now that the family is growing, we no longer all fit around the dining room table. I’ll sit in the kitchen with Becky and Keaton while everyone else sits in the dining room. Mama made a joke of telling my dad that they needed a new house with a bigger dining room. Dad didn’t find the joke very funny. Kenzie and I hand out the drinks and I go back to the kitchen to make sure Mama’s all set.
“Brooke, will you mash these for me?” Mama hands me a pot of potatoes. It’s always my job to mash them. She says I do a good job if it. It’s just right, not too many lumps. The boys swear she does it just to get my help, but really she’s taught me how to cook, and I’m glad.
“Are these the famous Brooke mashed potatoes?” Aunt Kenderly comes into the kitchen.
“I don’t know about famous, but they’re my mashed potatoes.” I smile, pounding the masher into the pot.
“Yeah, well, your sister-in-law raves about them.” She leans on the snack bar.
“Well, that’s sweet of her. I’m glad she enjoys them.” I add some seasonings to the pot and continue mashing.
“What can I do to help?” Aunt Kenderly asks.
“We’re fine,” Mama tells her. “Almost time to eat.”
“You’re too sweet, Mama Bennett.” Aunt Kenderly gives my mama a hug. She’s been calling her Mama Bennett since Kenzie and Remy got engaged, and of course my mama just eats it up.
“Where is that brother of yours?” Mama shakes her head. “Dinner is ready and as usual he’s not here yet.”
“Start without him.” My father comes into the kitchen. “The boy’s going to be late to his own dang funeral.”
Mama shakes her head. “I should have known when he was the only child of mine that was born late.” I can’t help but chuckle. Keaton is always the last one here and he’s always late. It drives Mama crazy, and no matter how much she lectures him on the issue, he still arrives late with some lame excuse. You know how there’s always one troublesome kid in the family? Well, that’s Keaton. “Dinner is ready.” Mama sets out plates. Now that we’re so big, we all make plates in the kitchen and then take our seat in the dining room.
Kenzie, Remy, Aunt Kenderly, and Uncle Jasper all lead off the line for food, making their plates and heading into the dining room. Dawson and Kayla follow, and I help Becky make her plate. I can see the agitation on Mama’s face that Keaton still has not shown up. Mama begins to pace. She acts angry, but she’s really worried. “Lord help that boy if he doesn’t walk through that door any minute now. He better be close to dead or I’m going to put him six feet under myself for worrying me.” My father tries to calm her but it’s not really working. “Today is supposed to be about Kenzie, not him, and my mind is on his late ass.”
He comes running through the door. “Sorry I’m late, Mama,” he pants, out of breath.
Mama walks over to him, hugs him, he kisses her on the cheek, and then in true Mama fashion, she slaps him off the back of the head hard.
“Ouch.”
“That’s for being late and making me worry,” Mama growls at him. It’s actually funny to witness because Mama is so much smaller than Keaton, but she certainly has no problem putting him in his place.
“I said I was sorry, Mama.” He rubs the back of his head. I laugh as I get Becky set up at the snack bar.
“Auntie Brooke, is Uncle Keaton in trouble again?” She looks up at me, her eyes filled with curiosity.
“Yeah, but you know what? That’s never going to change. He’s a big kid.”
“Nana needs to put him in timeout.” She crosses her little arms. “It’s boring in timeout and it always makes me behave.” Her brows shoot up. She’s dead serious.
“That’s a good idea, sweetie, but I don’t think timeouts are going to work for Uncle Keaton. He’s a little old for that.” I put her plate down in front of her with her food all cut up.
“Thank you, Auntie.” She digs in and says nothing more about Keaton being late.
The remainder of our meal is enjoyed in silence. Keaton sits on one side of Becky and I’m on the other. I don’t know what his problem is, but I can’t get into it with him when Becky is sitting between us, so it’s best to leave it be for now. I finish eating rather quickly and begin the process of cleaning up. The women are gathering in the dining room soon to discuss the wedding, and god knows what the guys are going to do.
Mama comes into the kitchen with her empty plate as Keaton finishes his. He usually goes for seconds, but Mama stops him. “Go grab all the empty dishes from the dining room, Keaton.”
“But I wasn’t done, Mama.” She whips her head around and gives him the glare. It’s the glare we all feared as kids. The glare that tells him he best put his plate down and do it.
“Yes, ma’am,” Keaton mumbles. He puts his plate down and hurries off to clear the table. He comes back a few minutes later with a large stack of plates. He puts them in the sink and sighs in disappointment when he sees Mama put the leftovers into containers already. He’s now all out sulking and I think it’s hilarious. Since there’s no more food out for him to eat, he puts his plate in the sink and goes to sulk in the living room, where the guys are starting to gather.
“What’s wrong, Keaton, Mama hurt your feelings?” Remy busts his balls.
“Fu—” He stops himself before Mama yells at him for cursing. “Screw you, mama’s boy!”
“Remy, leave your brother alone,” my father intervenes. Dawson is the calm one of the four of us. For some reason he never cared to pick on or mess with any of us, but Remy, Keaton, and I, we were always fighting and picking on each other as kids.
I put the final dish into the dishwasher while Mama wipes down the counter and sink. “There, all done. Thank you for your help, Brooke.”
“You’re welcome, Mama. Shall we join our guests in the dining room?” She nods her head and smiles.
Kenzie has a binder out and she’s flipping through it when we take a seat next to her. She’s chosen her dress. Lilly, Kayla, and I all have our dresses taken care of, our church pastor is coming here to marry them, Remy’s friend is a DJ and he’s taking care of the music, and Mama has arranged for a caterer. “Kenzie, dear. Have you decided on the menu yet? I need to let the caterer know soon,” Mama asks her.
“We have, but we can’t seem to agree on the cake.” Kenzie rolls her eyes. “I think maybe we should do a variety of desserts and call it done, but Remy wants to cut a cake to stick with tradition.”
“Why don’t we schedule a cake tasting with you guys?” Aunt Kenderly suggests.
“Remy, can you come here?” Mama calls into the other room. Kenzie shows Mama some of the cake options from a bakery she was referred to when Mama realizes Remy never answered her. “Remington Scott Bennett, come here, please.” They heard her this time and we all know it’s because Keaton messes with Remy now because Mama used his full name. Mama never uses Rem’s full name.
“Yes, ma’am.” Remy practically runs into the room.
“We are going to schedule a cake tasting. Is there a day or time that’s better for you?” Mama looks up at him from her seat.
“No, I have plenty of leave time. Just give me enough notice so I can submit a leave slip to my commander and it should be fine.” She nods at him and he exits the room.
“I’ll make an appointment and email everyone the dates as well as the menu we’ve chosen.” Kenzie makes a reminder in her notebook.
“What are you doing about flowers?” I ask her.
A huge smile lights up her face. “Remy took me to this open field not too far from here when we first started dating. It was surrounded by the most beautiful wildflowers you could imagine. He even sent me a bouquet of them when I tried to push him away.” Her smile slips slightly. “It wouldn’t be right to have anything but those same wildflowers.” She bites her lip. “He used to tell me they reminded him of me.”
“Awww, that’s so sweet,” I gush. “I hope I find me a good man like that someday.” I nudge her with my shoulder.
“I’m sure you will.” She winks at me.
It’s getting late. Dawson has already called it a night. He needed to get Beau and Becky home to bed. I’m getting tired and I have a final this week, so I need to call it a night as well.
When I get up to my room, I sit on my bed to check my phone and notice a text from a random number. I realize once I read it that it’s from Vaughn. He’s asking me about helping him pick a dog. I really want to help him, but with my clinic hours and a final later this week, I’m not really sure I can.
Brooke: I’m more than happy to help, but can we do it next week? I have to study for a final later this week on top of working.
Vaughn: Of course, sorry to bother you.
Brooke: It’s no bother. I really want to help but I can’t do it right now.
I wait for a response that never comes.