Holly smiled. It was a start. “Maybe you could apologize to him for pressuring him to stay away from me?”
“Don’t push it,” Fielding groused.
Molson knocked on the door. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d ever knocked on Drew’s door. He’d always snuck in using the copies he’d made from Drew’s spare keys. Then usually he’d mooch some food and cable, maybe a shirt or a shower before heading out. Once or twice he’d even napped on the couch when Drew was at work when he was closer to Drew’s apartment, rather than going to Margot’s house or the shop.
Well, he had a room now. Monthly rent for a tiny room and access to a bathroom which everyone else on the floor also used. Not ideal but Molson didn’t want roommates and he couldn’t expect to live at the shop. He hated his new place. The walls were paper thin and there was too much noise. The paper was peeling, the window didn’t open and it wasn’t clean, even though he’d spent five hours scrubbing the floor, desk, and bed. Somehow it was more depressing than occasionally overnighting with Margot. He’d been rotating between the shop, Margot’s, and Drew’s, telling himself that it was all temporary. Someday he’d be able to get something for himself. Something solid that he could call home.
Now that was a distant thought replaced by the reality of a junky one room rental that was on the bad side of town. It was what he could afford. It was depressing.
Interrupting his thoughts, Bethany opened the door with a smile. She grabbed his arm, drawing him into the apartment. “Good, you’re here. I was just about to finish setting the table.”
“I’m not staying long,” Molson told her. He refused to think of his hollow stomach and the enticing smell of whatever was cooking on the stove.
“Since when do you turn down food?” Drew asked as he cut a loaf of bread.
“Got stuff to do,” Molson replied, shrugging and putting his hands in his pockets. He didn’t. Not really. He was supposed to start work again tomorrow. Other than that, he was wide open for having time on his hands. It was a weird concept. He’d been so busy, for so long, he wasn’t sure what to do with his spare time. Molson had spent part of the day staring at the wallpaper. He was certain the edge of it had peeled down another eighth of an inch. “You left a message saying you needed to talk to me about Holly.”
“I figured that was about the only way to get you to come,” Drew admitted, glancing at Molson to try to judge his brother’s reaction. “I didn’t exactly lie. I do want to tell you something about Holly. I also wanted to talk to you and I had the feeling you were deleting my voicemails.”
“I even called you,” Bethany set a pot of stew on the table. There were three place settings.
Molson frowned. He had been deleting messages. He’d never been so popular before. “You want to tell me what this is all about?”
“First, I want to apologize. I made a mistake,” Drew set the plate of bred on the table. He turned to face Molson. “I’m sorry. I should never have made you feel unwelcome here. While I am concerned for Beth’s safety, we both agree that you are always welcome here. All that we ask is that you tell us what Tremblay wants. Then I can help you.”
Molson hesitated as Drew held out his keys to the apartment. “No. You were right Drew. It’s better if I’m not associated with you or Bethany. I don’t want either of you getting hurt if I mess up. We don’t know what Tremblay wants. I don’t want you to be involved.”
“I am involved,” Drew put the keys in Molson’s hand. “You’re my brother.”
“And you’re going to be a groomsman at our wedding,” Bethany said firmly. “We’ve picked a date. That means you can’t welch out on this family, otherwise my attendant numbers will be out of order.”
“We can’t have that,” Drew said in mock seriousness.
Molson didn’t smile. “What if Tremblay wants something illegal. You know it’s more than likely.”
“Then we figure out a way that you won’t get caught,” Drew sobered. “You and I both know there isn’t any way for you to get out of the favor you owe. Wouldn’t it be better to have both of our heads put together to figure out the solution when the time comes?”
“I told you,” Molson sighed. He could fee exhaustion creeping in. “I don’t want you involved in this. It’s too dangerous.”
“Stop it,” Bethany gave Molson a hug. “We talked it over. We are here to help you and want you to keep coming around. Now sit down and eat with us.”
“For once you’re actually invited to supper instead of mooching off us,” Drew pulled out a chair for Bethany.
Reluctantly Molson sat. It smelled really good and he rarely got a homecooked meal. He still had mixed feelings about letting Drew being involved. “What did you want to tell me about Holly? Is she okay?”
“Why don’t you talk to her and find out?” Bethany asked as she dished out the stew.
“No,” Molson suddenly wasn’t all that hungry. He fiddled with his spoon. “It’s better that we make a clean break.”
“Did you tell her that?” Drew asked. “She’s worried about you and upset that you aren’t calling her back.”
“I thought you two liked each other,” Bethany commented in concern. “What happened?”
“I’d rather not talk about it,” Molson pushed the stew around.
“Holly is my friend. I like the idea of the two of you as a couple,” Bethany gently persisted. “I thought maybe both of you could come to our wedding together.”
Drew took pity on his brother. Usually Molson would be making some flip remark. The fact that he wasn’t told the depth of his feelings. He decided to change the subject. “Have you seen Margot since the day Jana and I saw you at the hospital?”
