Page 11 of Far from Destined

“Okay,” Hazel replied and held up her hands when both Myra and Paris opened their mouths to say something.

“Perhaps you’re not ready to fall in love and get married or do anything that’s past a first date.” I opened my mouth to say something. “However, we both know that you need a night out. So, let us give you that.”

“You mean with a man?”

“Or a woman,” Myra said.

“But with an actual date?” I corrected.

“Yes, an actual date. It can be for fun. Your blind date doesn’t have to be your future. However, you do need a night out. And your lovable godmothers are going to be here to help that happen. And to watch Joshua,” Hazel added.

“I still need to find another babysitter.” I rubbed my temples.

“We’ll work on that with you,” Paris said. I looked up at her. “It’s in my planner,” she added with a grin.

That made me laugh. “Well, if it’s in your planner, then I guess it’s going to happen.”

“See? And now that Myra’s in my planner, as well, that’s going to happen, too.”

“I’m through with this conversation,” Myra cut in.

I laughed as they continued talking about my upcoming date. My tension eased slightly. Maybe this could work.

Just a night out, no promises, no commitments.

If they understood that I didn’t want a future with anyone because I couldn’t even think beyond tomorrow, maybe this could work.

I would simply do it and get it over with.

And then it would be Myra’s turn.

I smiled, nearly missing the look the three of them gave me. I noticed, but I ignored it. I needed to live in my bubble of sanity. And I truly did not need to think about the future.

Especially with a Brady.

Chapter 3

Macon

I smelledlike cat piss and dog slobber, and I was pretty sure I had gerbil droppings somewhere on my body.

Regardless, I was having a pretty good day, all things considered.

I walked into my home, stripping off my clothes in the mudroom. I shook out everything, stuffed it all into the washer, started the load, and walked in my boxer briefs to the living room.

I froze and looked around.

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting a show,” Paris said from the couch as she set down the ginormous notebook that looked like one of those planner things my admin loved. “I mean really, Macon. Do you always walk into your house naked?”

“He’s not exactly naked.” Hazel gazed at my junk.

I resisted the urge to cover myself.

Hazel just shrugged. “Well, those boxer briefs are…brief. But they do sculpt nicely.”

“For the love of God, Macon. Please cover yourself.”

I looked up at my brother Cross and raised a brow. Cross’s gaze wasn’t on my nudity, thank God. But it was on the scar on my chest. The healed wound that indicated where I had nearly bled out. Where Cross had put his hands, trying to stop the blood.