“We talked to a lawyer yesterday about sharing custody. In the meantime, we’re still friends. I’m plan on living in the house as long as I can. It’s going to be an adjustment, but we’ll getthroughit.”
“Good. It sounds like you have everything figured out as well as you can. You know I’m going to be thereforyou.”
“I don’t know why.” Chip looks up at me with that face identical to mine. “After what I did to you? Hell, I don’t think I’d be speaking to me if given theoption.”
“You apologized—I forgave. We’re long past that,remember?”
“Youforgave. I haven’t forgiven myself.” He shakes his head while staring down at the counter. “I don’t want to talk about me. What about Low? How can Ihelpyou?”
“Unless you have a tracking device that can tell me where she is, you can’t. And even then, she wants nothing to do with me.” I suck down half my beer before slamming the bottle back to thegranite.
“She will. She just needs to cool off. If you want, I can reach out toherand—”
“No.” It comes out sharp, followed by alaugh.
“I’m teasing.” He lands a solid sock to my arm. “I want you to know that I plan on regaining your trust. I want us back on track. I’m sorry about the way I behaved, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I can promiseyouthat.”
“No need. You have my trust and my forgiveness. You’re always going to be a huge part of my life nomatterwhat.”
Chip sniffs backtears.
“No crying, man.” I knock my shoulder into his. “It makes you look like apussy.”
“That’s when I’ll pretend I’m you.” We share a quicklaugh.
His phone goes off, and he frowns downatit.
“It’s a text from Mer. It looks like my shift with the baby is about to begin. She’s headedtobed.”
“You got the night shift, huh?” I give him a knuckle bump as he nods. “That makes you a hero in my book. Give my niece a kissforme.”
“Will do.” He hops up and pulls me into a quick embrace. “I know we usually don’t go there, but I love you, man.” His cheeks flex as he struggles to hold ittogether.
“I love you, too, man.” I pull him in once again and hold my brother for the first time that I can remember in a good long while. “I’m glad we made it through to theotherside.”
“I’m glad, too. I’ll see what I can do about finding Low.” He gives a tired smile before heading outthedoor.
Before I can gather my thoughts, a couple of dudes head this way from the other side of the counter, and for a second I think I’m seeingdouble.
Cole comes up between them, and then I realize who it is I’m staring at, the Edwards’ twins. They own the Black Bear along with theirsister.
“Where’s your brother?” Cole nods to theemptyseat.
“He had to run.” I stand to greet the menbesidehim.
“Levi, this is Bryson and Holt. I told them you were sniffing around for clues as to what makes abartick.”
“That I was.” I shake each of their hands in turn. They’re both beefed up with muscle, smiling ear-to-ear, and friendly ascanbe.
Holt grimaces. “I hear things are pretty rough right now. Anything we can dotohelp?”
“Nope. I think this is one storm we’ll have to weather on our own. But thanks foroffering.”
Cole gets called to the other end of the bar and gives a quick wave beforetakingoff.
Holt eyes the crowd as the masses congregate around the other end of the counter. “I’d better help him out. It’s great meeting you. Come backanytime.”
He takes off, and it’s only then I notice Bryson glowering whilestudyingme.
