Brady passes me the screw gun and hums in consideration. “I always wanted this for him. When we were kids, his dreams always seemed too small for him. Like he couldn’t really reach for anything beyond just making it through each day. It’d be cool to see him finally want something huge and get it.”
“Maybe both have some validity. Some days, he’s just gotta get through. Others, he can reach for the stars.”
After climbing down to check my handiwork, I make a magical discovery. “Holy shit. Are we almost done with this?”
Brady barks a laugh. “I sure hope so. I’ve got an image to maintain. I got some lights we can string up for her and some chairs to put together, but beyond that, we made it, Ace.”
“Will you ever stop getting us into projects we’re not qualified to be doing?”
“Not a chance. Maybe eventually we’ll be worth a damn.” Such a short-lived fantasy.
But I would bet my life on the fact that we will never be worth a damn at these things, and every time we make an attempt, I’m going to bitch and complain the entire time. Brady will always give us too much faith. It’s our system, and it has served us well. Sanity excluded, of course.
We still have the issue of how to draw Aaron out before the show, but that’s got to be an issue for another time. For now, Brady and I manage to finish something together again. Easton has a gallery to prepare for.
~~~
“Ace,” Brady calls, knocking on the bedroom door. Easton glances up from his sketchbook where he’s planning out one of his paintings for the gallery and shrugs at me.
“It’s open,” I say hesitantly, confused about what he wants. Fuck, it better not be another delivery.
The guilt on his face is evident when he peeks around the gap. “Heads-up.” Without thinking, my hands come up to catch whatever he’s throwing at me. I have instant regret.
Brady’s gone before I can toss it back. He’s such an asshole. I’ve got to start picking better company. “Hey, Logan.”
The glare my sister is aiming my way through the video chat could level a small city. I’m in danger. “Coward. Good to see you alive and well. Not that I would know that, of course.”
I wince then decide to push my luck. “Show me the baby.”
Flames erupt in her eyes. “No. You don’t deserve it. Fucking prick. You don’t call. You don’t text. Just fall off the Earth and everyone is being dodgy about what’s going on. I’m over it.”
“I didn’t fall off the face of the Earth. I talked to Parker and Mom lately.”
If she was close enough to strangle me, there’s no doubt in my mind that she would right now. “And we’re supposed to pretend like that wasn’t you bitching out because they won’t ask what the fuck is going on?”
Well, now that she mentions it. After a deep breath, and failing to try to get a hint from Easton because he disappeared, I decide to do what I do best. Dodge. “Everything is fine, Lo. Easton’s great. You guys should come to his gallery. I’m sure Mom can get everyone on the guest list.”
“I’m already on it. I wanna know why you’re avoiding us. Are you and Easton okay? It’s weird that all of you guys are staying with Blakely. Was he more hurt in the hospital than you thought?”
Scratching my neck, I frown and try to look remorseful. “No, Easton is okay. I’m sorry for not talking to you more, especially while he was in the hospital. I know you were really worried. It knocked me on my ass, and I’m still getting up. That’s why we’re all with Blakely. She took things over, and I just haven’t had it in me to take them back yet.”
Something in her expression fractures. “You could have just told me that. I would have understood. It would have been easier to take than Blakely and Brady being shifty about everything.”
What hurts the most about that is she’s completely correct. I could have said that a long ass time ago and not have hurt her feelings like this. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I didn’t know that they were making you extra uneasy either. Honestly, I didn’t know you talked to either of them at all.”
My sister rolls her eyes. “I’m everywhere, you little shit. I know all your friends and make damn sure they all know me. In case the present situation hasn’t made it clear, sometimes you’re too stubborn for your own good, and this is how I keep myself from freaking out when you don’t answer me. I’m not the only one with issues, by the way. Emerson has dibs on you next.”
“This is why Brady ran away after giving me the phone.”
“Be nice to him. It’s not his fault. I may have been a tad insistent about laying eyes on you.”
A tad insistent probably means she threatened him within an inch of his life. “Fine. Lemme talk to Em so everyone can be done yelling at me.”
Her grin is positively victorious. “Smart choice. Just wait until you see Sage and she lays into you about the whole family coming out to visit except us last time. She’s holding a grudge.”
“She really is her mother’s child.”
“You have no idea.”
