Brea

Laying on my side, I watch the clock flash 10am. My shift is starting now. I sent a message to Cassie explaining that I am no longer able to work there and apologised for the short notice. I switched my phone off, not wanting to see her reply right now.

"I don't really do girlfriends, Brea."

I simply can't be there. Around him. After what we have done together, after everything that has been said, only for him to go back against his word. Everything he has said up until now is obviously bullshit. He just wanted to get into my pants, and I almost let him. I am a fool.

As much as I have been ignoring Nathan's remarks about him, maybe he is right. Maybe he really isn't a nice guy. Someone who really isn't suited for me.

Forcing myself from the bed, I shower and dress before walking over to my brother's place. He's underneath his car in the shed when I arrive. Rasping my knuckles on the tin to let him know I'm here, I wait as he slides out from underneath it, glancing up at me.

"Dear sister," he says sarcastically. "Waving the white flag?"

"I have every right to be upset."

"And I had every right to respect my father's wishes."

"Our father."

Sighing, he pushes himself into a sitting position, his long legs out in front of him.

"What do you want?" he asks, looking tired.

"I want to have dinner with you and dad tonight."

"Okay," he says.

"And I want a job."

Nathan sucks his teeth as he stands, rolling the sleeves of his shirt up. Leaning on the car, I watch with dread as he fights the smirk taking over his face.

"Oh, yeah? What happened to mister nice guy that you've been panting over?"

"Nathan, I came here to talk to you. For real. It's either this, or I'm leaving. I can't afford to live here without a job and I ..." I trail off, hiccupping over my words. "I... I'm not ready to leave dad just yet."

Nathan's face softens, looking uncomfortable as tears spill down my cheeks.

"I was going to say yes. Didn't need to bring out the water works," he mutters.

"You're such an asshole."

"I know. That's why the bitches love me."

A snort of laughter bursts out of me and he flashes me a wide grin.

"Well, if you're going to work for me, meet me at the restaurant at two."

"Roger that. Thanks, big bro."

I spend the time waiting for my shift to start by wandering around town. I notice that the florist is closed. Trailing my fingers over the closed sign, I step away from it. It was always my dream to run this place, just like my mother. This was another thing she abandoned.

"Won't be open for a while, Hon."

Turning, I look in the direction of an elderly lady leaning on a cane. She offers me a warm smile, her fingers flicking toward the shop.

"Oh, really?"

"Owner isn't well."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Me too," she says softly. "I really love that shop."

The lady hobbles away and my eyes shift back to the shop for a moment before I look down at the time, realising I need to get to work.

A few of the tables are being occupied when I stroll inside. When the bell rings above my head, the bartender turns and does a double take when he sees me.

"Hello there," he smiles flirtatiously. "The girl of my dreams."

"Hi," I reply with a polite smile.

"Danny," he says, leaning forward so that his arms are resting on the bar top. "I don't think I got the chance to introduce myself when you were here last."

"Nice to see you again, Danny."

"Brea, right?"

"Mmhmm," I nod. "That's right."

"What can I get you, Brea?"

"I'm actually here to work."

His dark brows raise at this. "Oh, cool. That's great. You'll love it here. I'll take you under my wing."

"Not necessary," Nathan scowls, glowering at him. "Wipe the drool off your chin."

Smirking, Danny ignores my brother's snarliness and shoots me a wink.

"Here if you need any help. During work time, and off the clock."

"Ugh," Nathan gags, grabbing my arm and yanking me away from his flirty bartender. I laugh, letting him drag me toward the kitchen. "Don't fall for that fake charm."

"You may think I'm an idiot, brother, but I'm not."

"I don't think you're an idiot."

"Sure you don't."

Stopping, he looks down his nose at me. "I really don't, Brea."

"Okay."

Narrowing his eyes for a moment, he looks like he has more to say but he decides not to.

We spend the next couple of hours going through everything I need to know. I pick it up easily enough and find myself enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, even when Danny's flirting becomes borderline harassing, I know he is only teasing.

When the shift is over, Nathan drives us to the house. I glance down at my phone. When I switch it on, I see that I have a missed call from Zander. My stomach swoops seeing his name on the screen, but I remind myself he would have called because I didn't turn up for my shift. That would have been all.

"Everything is good to go with you moving, by the way. We just need to clean the place up. I'm free this weekend, I can help," Nathan says, drawing me back to the present.

"That would be great! Thanks."

When we pull up, there's a car I don't recognise in the driveway.

"Who's that?"

"Kent."

Nodding, I follow Nathan inside. Dad is finalising the table while Kent sits on the stool near the kitchen. He jolts to his feet when he sees us.

"Nathan," he nods. "Breanna."

"Hi Kent," I say.

I remember Kent being around a lot when I was here. My mum always hated him, I never knew why. He was my dad's best friend for as long as I can remember.

"Well, I'll leave you to it," he says, looking back at my dad for a moment before he disappears through the door.

"Dad," Nathan says with a nod, beelining for the fridge and withdrawing a beer.

"Nathan," he nods back, swinging his eyes to rest on me. "Hey, kiddo."

"Hey," I smile.

Dad looks older than his age in this moment. Weary, and pale. He beckons me over and I let him wrap his arms around me. I hug him back for a few seconds before I take a seat at the table.

Nathan places the remaining bits of dinner down and drops into the seat opposite me.

"What have you two been up to?" Dad asks.

"Recruited this one to start working for the big man," Nathan says, pointing the end of his fork at his chest.

Dad's eyebrows shoot up. "You did?"

"It was my idea, Nathan, don't act like you came up with it on your own."

Dad laughs softly. "You two argue more than you don't, how are you going to manage that when working together?"

"It's my restaurant. It's my rules," Nathan says smugly.

"Ugh," I roll my eyes.

Dad smiles, glancing between us. "It's nice to see you two doing things together."

Chewing my lip, I nod, looking over at Nathan right as he shoves a forkful of mash potato into his mouth. He manages to send half of it down his shirt.

"Your table manners haven't improved," I mutter.

"Do you like whinging or is it just to hear the sound of your own voice?" Nathan remarks.

"Shut up."

"You shut up."

"Kids," Dad sighs and then lets out a wheezy cough, making my heart plummet into my stomach. I hate seeing anyone sick, let alone my frail father who has only just been returned to me. Or me to him, however you want to look at it.

"How are you feeling?" I ask.

"It wasn't that bad. Just a few grazes here and there," he assures me.

"Not the fall, dad."

Clearing his throat, he looks uncomfortable. He hates that I found out not from him. I do, too. He was the one who caused that, not me.

"So?" I demand. "How are you feeling?"

"Old," he chuckles, waving dismissively at me, which only makes me angrier. Pretending that nothing is wrong with him is getting old, fast.

"When do you start radiation?"

Nathan's fork clatters loudly onto the table, making me jump in alarm. He won't meet my eyes when he picks it back up. I hate when they do this. Act cagey, like they are both in on something that I'm not. They seem to do that about a lot of things.

Dad exhales, looking down at his plate. His rough, calloused hands look dry and patchy under the dim yellow light hanging above us.

"I'm not doing chemo."

"What?" I exclaim, my hand stopping midway between my plate and mouth.

"I've decided not to go ahead with further treatment."

"Are you serious?"

"My time has come, kiddo. I don't want to go through all that drama of prolonging the inevitable."

My stomach roils at this information. I understand why he feels that way but hearing those words from his mouth is like a stab in the heart. Tears well in my eyes and I slump in my seat.

"I just got you back," I whisper.

"I know, kiddo," he says quietly, not lifting his gaze to meet mine. "I know."

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I hope you're enjoying 'Someone Like You' so far!