Undeterred, Josh followed him and settled into a chair. “Did you talk to her? Did she tell you about the flowers and the card?”
“It’s really none of your business,” Brad retorted.
“Grace sent you flowers?” Ben asked. “So you’re back together?”
“No, we’re not together. She’s dating someone else.” The words tasted bitter in Brad’s mouth.
Ben said, “Then why did she send flowers?”
“I don’t even know for sure if she sent them. She claims she did, but who knows? As long as she’s dating someone else, it doesn’t really matter.”
“She brought flowers and a card Tuesday morning,” Josh said. “But she had to leave them with some nurse. It’s not her fault they got lost at the hospital.”
“If she really brought them,” Brad muttered. He thought it was quite possible she’d made up the story.
“So you’re done with Grace? You’re not even willing to talk to her? You don’t ever want to date her again?” Ben’s voice sounded a little too eager when he asked the questions. Once again Brad lamented the fact Ben would spend Friday evening with Grace.
“Didn’t you hear me? She’s dating someone else.”
“Who is this other guy?” Ben asked.
Josh jumped in. “His name’s Horatio, but I’m sure she’s not serious about this new guy.”
“Horatio, huh?” Ben smirked. “I bet I could get her to drop Horatio and go out with me.”
Brad felt steam building inside his head. “You leave her alone.”
“Look, you don’t seem to feel you’re capable of winning her back from this Horatio guy, or else you just don’t want to bother trying. But if you don’t want her anymore, why shouldn’t I ask her out?”
“Out of respect for me—that’s why. You’re my brother!”
“I know I’m your brother. I’m doing this for you.”
“How would it benefit me if you dated my girlfriend?”
“Grace isn’t your girlfriend anymore—you won’t even talk to her. But at least if she’s with me you might get to see her on occasion. And if we got married someday, your nieces and nephews would probably look a lot like your kids would have looked if you’d married her. Wouldn’t that be nice for you?”
Brad was ninety percent sure Ben was simply egging him on, as was his nature, although his face never hinted he was teasing. But that ten percent uncertainty made his blood boil. “You don’t have my permission to date Grace.”
“I’m not sure you can have it both ways.” Josh upended a bottle of water, swallowing until it was empty.
Brad attempted to burn him with a harsh gaze, though, if his impenitent grin was any indication, Josh was enjoying Brad’s discomfort. “I’m just saying you can’t date Kara and claim Grace as your girlfriend.”
“I’m not dating Kara—I’m just going to a baseball game with her.”
Josh shrugged. “I’m not sure Kara sees it that way, according to what she told me today.”
“And I’m not sure that’s how Grace will see it, either.” Ben lifted his arms, locking his fingers behind his head.
If I move fast, I could punch him in the gut.
“Grace doesn’t know I’m going to the baseball game with Kara, and she doesn’t need to know. It’s not a date—I’m certainly not planning to kiss her.”
“According to the rules, it’s a date because she bought your ticket,” said Josh.
“What rules?” asked Ben.
Josh explained, “It’s the Best Dating Rules—Emily and Charlie Best’s rules. But the Marshall Sisters have adopted the rules, so they apply in this case.”