FLIRT (Dirty Brothers 1)

Well I’m almost home. I guess I’ll find out.

“Who’s making you smile over there?”

“Just a friend,” I say, leaning back and closing my eyes. I must have fallen asleep, because before I know it, I open my eyes and we’re pulling into the driveway. There’s a box sitting in front of the door. I big flat white box, the kind that expensive clothes come in. My stomach does a little flip, because that box is from Thomas, and that means there could be almost anything inside. Even though I’m exhausted, I’ve already made the decision to go to dinner. Against all odds, being with Thomas relieves my stress and makes me feel better. I honestly never thought I’d have that. Especially with a Logan.

I drag myself out of the car and up to the front door. The box has a card with my name on it in a pretty script, and even though I’m not the girliest person in the world, I love it. No matter what is in this box, it’s a nice surprise and it makes me feel pampered. My pretty underwear is the most pampering I ever give myself, really. I head inside and Fiona is right behind me. I set the box down on the kitchen table and peel open the envelope. The handwriting isn’t the same as the outside of the envelope, this handwriting is more masculine.

Rose,

You took me out to one of your places, and now I want to take you to mine. And this time I made sure you would feel properly dressed. I can’t wait to see you in this.

Thomas

P.S. Plain underwear will do.

The grin on my face is so wide that it hurts. I put the little envelope aside and lift the cover of the box. Inside is a dress that takes my breath away. A dark, shimmering blue with a plunging neckline, I can tell just by looking at it that he has a good eye for women’s clothes. Given the way he dresses himself, I honestly shouldn’t be surprised. I lift the dress out of the box, and hold it up, watching the way the light plays off the fabric.

“Someone sent you a dress?” Fiona asks from behind me.

My stomach plummets. I got so caught up in opening the box that I forgot Fiona was even here. Crap. “Yes.”

I grab for the card on the table, but she’s faster. She opens it, reads the note, and I watch her face go white with shock, and then red with furious anger. “Thomas? As in THOMAS LOGAN?”

My father comes in the front door at that moment, and I see him register the fight, and I shake my head, telling him not to intervene. “Yes, Thomas Logan.”

“You lied to me? When you showed up in his car? You slept with him, didn’t you?”

I cross my arms. “Given your reaction right now, I can’t imagine what possible reason I would have to lie.”

“You promised,” Fiona points at me. “You promised you’d never have anything to do with them, and now you’re sleeping with one of them!”

Finally, the anger spills over. “That was ten years ago! What happened to you sucks. You were cheated on! I get that. It was awful and I wish that it had never happened, but I’m not you, and Thomas isn’t Sam. I didn’t come up here expecting this to happen, and I’m not even sure what it is yet. So kindly back off and let me try to have some happiness in the middle of this mess.”

I see it happen, the moment she draws into herself. And if there’s anything that I’ve learned over the years, it’s that my sister is far more dangerous when she gets quiet. “Well, now I know what your promises are worth. I used to think that you’d be there for me no matter what, but if you’d do this? You don’t care about me at all. All you are is a traitorous bitch.” She spits the last word at me and storms towards the door.

“Fiona!” my father calls after her, but I hear her car start and the tires squeal on the asphalt trying to get away. Anger and frustration build up in my chest, and I’m not a crier but I’m crying now. Exhaustion brings my emotions closer to the surface, and I can’t control them. After everything I’ve done for her and dad, I’m not sure how she could even think that let alone say it. I sink into the nearest chair and try to get myself under control. But I’ve fully lost it now.

There’s a hand on my shoulder and my father speaks softly. “You shouldn’t let her get to you. What happened to Fiona changed her. She’s never gotten over those wounds, and it’s hard for her to imagine you being happy with someone who’s associated with her deepest pain.”