Page 27 of The Deadbeat DILF
“Robert,” he corrected in a friendly voice. “I work in construction.”
“Good field,” my father said before shoveling another forkful of fettuccine into his mouth. “I did that for a little while. Told Brandon to get a job in construction too.”
“I want to be an entrepreneur, Dad,” Brandon said. “I can do more than haul rocks and pour concrete.”
“I’m pretty sure people working in construction do more than just that,” I said.
“Don’t get all pissy with your brother. He was just playing,” Mom told me with a pointed look.
Maybe I should’ve brought out some wine. At least then I could’ve numbed myself to all of this, but on second thought, it wasn’t a good idea to let my family get buzzed.
Something gently brushed the side of my foot under the table. My eyes shifted upward, and I met Robert’s gaze.
He gave me a subtle smile, and I realized it was his foot. He was trying to tell me not to worry.
And it worked.
I was as mild-mannered as I could be through the rest of dinner, and Robert didn’t shy away from jumping into the conversation. Even when my parents made comments that had my teeth clenching, he wasn’t fazed. In fact, he found some common ground with my dad about baseball and even engaged Brandon in a conversation about cars.
I could’ve cried with relief when everyone finally turned in for the night. With my family in the spare bedrooms, the doors firmly shut, my apartment was a lot quieter.
I changed into my silk pajama dress, pulled on my white fluffy robe, then brought out some extra pillows for Robert so he could get comfortable on the couch. “I’m so sorry about this,” I said.
“Don’t worry about it. This couch is huge. I have tons of space.” He lay down to demonstrate and smiled up at me.
How was he so easygoing about everything?
“You gonna have your green tea?” he asked.
I nodded. “Do you want anything?”
He shook his head. “Still think green tea tastes like grass.”
I smiled. “I’ll convert you one day,” I replied as I walked over to the kitchen and made my cup of tea with a teaspoon of honey. Just as I was heading back toward my bedroom, the sound of loud voices coming from Robert’s room made me pause.
“You do this every year,” Gemma snapped, her voice clear even through the closed door. “I’ve wanted this necklace for months! It can be my birthday gift!”
“Your birthday is in four months,” Brandon replied. “I’ve invested all my money into my business, okay?”
I glanced at Robert, who had his eyes closed but wore a small frown.
“Are they being too loud?” I asked him.
He opened his eyes. “It’s fine. I’ll eventually fall asleep.”
I started toward the bedroom. “I’ll tell them to shut up.”
“No, don’t.” His voice was so sharp, it made me stop in my tracks. “It’s fine,” he said, in a softer tone, when I turned to look at him.
I knew Brandon and Gemma, and I knew they wouldn’t stop bickering for at least another hour. But I also knew that if I asked them to quiet down, that would just make them indignant. They might even talk louder, just to spite me. They were real mature, those too.
“You won’t get any sleep out here,” I said. “Stay in my room.”
He sat up. “Brooke, it’s fine.”
“I’m not suggesting we share a bed,” I explained quickly. I didn’t want him to think I was making a move. “We can shift the couch. There’s enough space.”
Robert looked at me for a long moment. I wondered whether he was going to say no, and if so, whether I should be offended.
