“Are you kidding me?” Xavier gave angry laugh. “The whole thing was caught on video. Hell, it’s even on YouTube. A few of the bar patrons posted it, and the fight went viral.”
“Yeah, and now Ted is in a fight for his life with a lawsuit from hell,” Templeton growled.
“So what is this? You coming after my brother as payback?”
“What if it is? What will you do about it?” He cradled his ribs and grinned. “I’m gonna scream police brutality so loud you’ll still be hearing it twenty years from now. And it’s my word against yours, stupid. My dad’s cousins with the state senator. Who the fuck do you know higher than that?”
“My dad is friends with the police commissioner,” Xavier said with a smile. “And the governor’s a golf buddy. Your move.”
Templeton paled.
Cass almost felt bad for him.
“Um, Templeton, is it?” She nodded to the owner and cook holding their cell phones out and recording. “We have video of you attempting to assault not only a firefighter but a police officer. That’s an automatic jail sentence.”
“You’re lying.”
“You’re not that smart, are you?” Mack sighed. “Templeton, just go away. No one wants you in jail. We just want you gone.”
“I want him in jail,” Xavier growled, glancing again at Mack’s purple cheekbone.
“Fuck you. I—”
Cass had had enough. She tugged Templeton down by the ear and whispered, “If you don’t get out of here and get away from my man, I will personally make it my mission to put you, your friend, and anyone else close to you away for a long time. Every time you speed. Every time you jaywalk. Every time you don’t signal before turning. I’ll be there. Or a friend of mine will be there. And I have a lot of friends. We’ll be watching and waiting. And when you eventually lose it and try to beat on someone else who can’t defend themselves, I’ll be there too to slap some cuffs on you and take you to jail. Where a few big, brawny inmates owe me some favors. And they like big, strong men like you. A lot.”
He blinked and backed up. “You know what? I’m done. This city sucks. And so do all of you. Stay the fuck away from me. And Revere?”
“What?” Mack and Xavier said at the same time and glared at each other.
Men. Seriously.
“I hope you burn.” He turned and left, favoring his right side.
“Like, burn in hell?” Mack asked Cass. “In a building? Was that meant for me or the idiot next to me?”
“Okay, I’m out.” She kissed Mack on the cheek, then pointed the bat at Xavier. “Stop being a dick. Be nice to your brother. And stop picking on him at family dinners. Mack, I’ll see you on Sunday. Text me tomorrow when you get a minute. And have a good shift. Be safe.”
He kissed her. “Will do.” He looked at Xavier. “But maybe I should go with you. You need a ride.”
“I’ll grab a rideshare.” She pushed the bat into his gut and shoved him toward his brother. “Talk it out.”
Then she left, feeling pretty darn good about her day.
***
Mack stared at Xavier, who stared back. He sighed and sat, hungry enough to finish off the rest of his sandwich and Cass’s, which he pulled toward him before Xavier could touch it.
“Selfish,” Xavier muttered.
“Tell me. Why such a prick all these years?” Mack frowned. “You’ve always been annoying, but not so nasty. Not until a year ago. What the hell, man?”
Xavier looked down, and his cheeks turned pink.
Mack had no idea why his brother would be embarrassed. Xavier seemed to thrive on the idea he never stepped a foot wrong.
“I get Mom and Dad ignoring me. I wasn’t Army. Then I wasn’t a cop. So I disappointed them on two fronts. But I usually got along with my brothers.” Growing up he had. He supposed he really had been overly sensitive about all the teasing lately. As children, they had protected him, always rallying around the youngest to keep up or stay strong so no one might pick on him at school.
It had worked. Until he’d graduated and gone his own way. Then nothing he did seemed right.
