page6 (1/2)

There’s no chance to respond

To defend Brooke’s honor

To come up with a really plausible lie

Or perhaps to defend myself if Claude Perron decides to use those meaty fists of his on me

“He’s my fiancé,” Brooke blurts out, and I’m so stunned I can’t even move There’s no more snap in my neck I can’t even take usted shock over this news I try not to cringe as Brooke steps back up to ht in close to ives a little shrug as if to say oops “Surprise”

“Fiancé?” Coach Perron growls hter and she stiffens, as if she’s afraid of him

That doesn’t set ith me, yet I’m too freaked out to even slip an arallantry

“Daddy,” Brooke says solicitously as she letsfor his patience “I know this is a shock and anted to tell you, but ith everything going on and all, it just didn’t seeht time”

I finally get soe to stare down at her She cranes her neck to peer up atwithin those whiskey-colored eyes

“This hter, and they are deeply troubled indeed His voice is no longer laced with fury but sounds oddly confused “How could I not know this?”

“We were trying to be sensitive,” Brooke offers

Sensitive to what, I have no clue

“When?” he continues with no ined earlier that Brooke was afraid of him “How? I mean…how do you even know each other?”

“It’s a long story,” Brooke says placatingly

Not sure that was the right thing to say, but it definitely seemed to jolt her father somewhat He looks down at his watch and his face reddens hat looks once again like good old anger His eyes coet to”

I don’t respond Not sure my voice would even work if I tried