“I’m kidding. I don’t mind Smith. I just wish he’d ease up on Cash.”
“He knows.”
Reid paused. “Come again?”
“I said he knows. I think.” Evan relayed the conversation. “Look, you three keep dancing around it. Just talk to each other. Life is short, Reid. You have the chance to add to your happiness.”
“WithSmith?”
“Okay, he isn’t the easiest person to deal with. But today he sat with a little girl and drank pretend tea, all to save her from getting her feelings hurt. There’s more to Smith than an obnoxious pain in the ass. And I hate to say it, but that could be said about Cash too, couldn’t it?”
Reid wiped a hand down his face. “Iknowwe need to talk about it. I’ve been trying, but Cash is getting cozy with Jordan, and he’s got a broken arm he’s dealing with. I don’t want to mess with him right now.”
“Smith is all alone.”
Reid brightened. “No, he’s not. He’s got you.”
“Wait. What?”
“Yep. You’re good for him. You keep him grounded. Look out for the big bastard. Before you know it, we’ll get him to sit down with Aunt Jane and have a huge talk about life and coincidence, because we all know he didn’t look us up by chance and sign on because he loves moving furniture.”
“Hell, Reid. That’s a lot to ask.”
“But you’ll do it because you’re you.”
“What does that mean?”
Reid smiled. “It means your parents raised you to be responsible. To put family first and always do the right thing.”
“You mean to not rock the boat and get along.” Dull. Predictable. Boring. “I’m the family peacemaker.”
“Yep, and you’re good at it.”
Too good at it.Evan had rarely rebelled, joining the Marine Corps only after he’d gone to college to make his parents proud. He did what he was told, and he was still doing what he was told, he realized. Because hewouldtry to be there for Smith, who likely didn’t realize how lonely he really was.
“You’re annoying.”
“I know. Evan, you’re a good guy. Hell, you’re the best of us. Smart, intelligent. Got a few degrees, were an officer.”
“Quit blowing smoke up my ass,” Evan said, fighting a blush. “I said I’d look after him.”
“And that’s good because I don’t know what will come of all this. One thing I do know is I’m not losing my brother over Smith.” Reid paused. “That sounds harsh, and I don’t want to be cruel, but the plain truth is we might never be a close family. With Smith, I mean. You, me, Cash, and Aunt Jane are solid. Maybe even your mom’s Jerome guy. Smith is an unknown. And Cash has been through a lot. He doesn’t need Smith shitting all over him every chance he gets.”
Evan frowned. “You mentioned Jerome.”
“I mentioned a lot of things. Jerome is all you heard?”
“Have you met him?”
Reid huffed and shook his head. “One-track mind. No, Evan, I haven’t met him yet.” In that moment, Evan realized he and Reid did look alike, except that Reid had darker hair. Same gray eyes, same stubborn chin. They were family, like Cash. Like Smith, no matter what the big bastard had to say. “But we’re going to dinner with Jerome and Aunt Jane next week.”
Evan still hadn’t met the guy, and he didn’t understand his mother hiding him. He and his mom used to share everything. But now with her being sick, her symptoms just like Rita’s had been, he worried about her.And why the hell is she introducing him to Reid first?
“Let me know what you think.”
“I will. But, Cuz, maybe you should be asking your mom why she hasn’t introduced you two. Because from what I saw of them kissing and the way Aunt Jane talks about him, it’s a lot more serious than her getting a piece of tail.”
“Jesus, Reid.”
