Page 25 of The Deadbeat DILF
Dad slumped onto the couch. “You got any beer?” he asked.
At the same time, Mom started walking around the living room, studying the paintings I had on the wall. “Honestly, Brooke, you buy the ugliest pieces of art.”
I flushed. I could feel Robert’s eyes on me as my family roamed around and picked apart my apartment.
I felt embarrassed and ashamed, and worst of all, I didn’t want to look bad in front of Robert. I shouldn’t have cared what he thought, but I did.
I really did.
CHAPTER NINE
“So, where do we all sleep?” Mom asked that evening as we were sitting in the living room. Everyone’s suitcases were scattered about. Dad was watching TV, while the others were on their phones. I had disappeared into my room for a few hours, claiming I needed to make some important phone calls for work, but really just needing some space.
I’d updated my friends with the news.
My family’s staying with me because their house flooded.
Alison: all four of them? Good thing you have the spare bedrooms.
Emilia: Yeah but Robert the hot DILF is staying with her, remember? I hope it’s not too crowded.
Don’t call Robert a DILF,I’d replied, skin growing hot, despite the fact my friends couldn’t see me.
Emilia: Sorry, I meant DBLF.
Alison: DBLF?
Emilia: Dad Brooke’d Like to Fuck.
EMILIA, I’d typed.
Alison: Is he really that attractive?
Emilia: Yep. You know how we were worried he’d be a creepy old man? Well let’s just say, I’m not into older guys, but even I wouldn’t mind him creeping on me.
I’m going to block you Emilia, I’d texted.
Emilia: haha sorry I’ll stop.
Alison: hope things go smoothly with your family, Brooke! Let us know if you need anything.
Now, I explained to my family that I had one spare bedroom left.
Dad let out a humorless laugh. “Your mom and I aren’t sharing a room with Brandon and Gemma. We all need our own space.”
I forced a patient smile. “I know, but this is only temporary. The bed in the spare bedroom is big enough for three people, and someone can stay on the couch.”
If worst came to worst, I could offer to share my bed with Mom or Gemma. But the last thing I wanted to hear was Mom telling me that the plumbing breaking was all my fault, or Gemma chattering on about her dream designer handbag collection.
Robert stepped up to my side, his hand brushing the back of my arm. “I’ll take the couch. They can take my room while they’re here.”
I opened my mouth to protest — it washisroom, he was paying for it — but Brandon and Gemma talked over me, rushing toward the bedroom with excitement.
“Down this hall, right?” Brandon asked over his shoulder as Gemma dragged him that way.
“Yeah, just down there,” Robert replied, but his words fell on deaf ears.
Brandon and Gemma didn’t reply, just disappeared into the bedroom with their suitcases in tow.
