My eyes fall on my phone, and I bite my bottom lip.
I shouldn’t, but… maybe I should.
Screw it.
I pick it up and call Hux.
He answers on the first ring. “Dee, is he okay?”
That alone tells me how much he regrets how things went down. “He’s okay. Quiet. Still angry.”
“Yeah… I get that.” He exhales. “I’m such an idiot. I should’ve told him why Macy really left him back then. We’d been fighting our attraction for ages. That night, she came to me crying after another fight about the band. I tried to comfort her, and before I knew it, we were on the lounge, making out. One thing led to another, and, well, I guess I have super sperm,” he mutters. Ichuckle despite myself. “It was only that once. A couple of weeks later, Macy dumped him. Then poof, she vanished. But Ineedmy brother, Dee.”
“I know,” I say gently. “And Colt needs you too. That’s why I’m calling. I think… I think you should come over today. Talk to him. Be honest. No more lies. Do it for the band. Do it for your relationship. You’re going on tour soon. You can’t go out there fractured.”
“He’s talking about kicking me out,isn’t he?”
“Yes,” I admit. “And we both know thatcan’thappen. So come over. I won’t tell him. You just show up. He’s in the shower now, so give it an hour and a half. Just…” I pause to find the right words, “… don’t screw this up, Hux.”
He’s quiet for a moment, and when he speaks again, I hear something in his voice I haven’t heard before—humility.“Thank you, Dee. Seriously. I know this mess has torn you both up. I just hope you two are okay?”
“We’re getting there. But Colt is devastated. He thought he had a son. He lost his only shot at a biological child to you. That kind of pain doesn’t go away overnight. So tread lightly.”
He sighs. “I misjudged you. I’ve been a fucking prick. Sorry! Guess I was jealous.”
“Jealous?” I ask, blinking with shock.
“Of you and Colt. Of what you have. Of what Johnny and Anna have. Sia and Dingo. You came into our world and took all of Colt’s attention, and I was left out. I just… wanted that kind of love, and instead of owning up to it, I took it out on you because you were the easiest target. You didn’t deserve that. I respect you, Dee. I really do. I want to be a better brother-in-law.”
I blink back sudden tears as he continues, “Macy’s the only girl I ever really felt something for. Her coming back, Caleb… it’s like a second chance. I want to try with her. But I’ll ask Colt’spermission first. I know he loved her once. I just… I need to make it right.”
“Wow,” I say. “I had no idea.”
“No one does. You’re the only person I’ve ever told. Macy doesn’t even know.”
“Well, your Playboy days make a lot more sense now.”
He laughs. “Yeah. Anyway, I’ll be over in a bit. Thanks again.Really.”
“Just don’t upset him, or he might actually break your nose this time.”
“Dude’s got a mean right hook,” he mutters with a chuckle. “See you soon.”
I end the call as Colt walks in, towel slung low around his hips, hair damp, fresh from the shower. I slide my phone onto the counter and cross the room to wrap my arms around his waist.
He holds me just as tightly. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Well, someone forgot to order groceries,” I tease.
“I wasn’t exactly eating much while you were gone.”
“I handled the Caleb thing badly, but I swear, I thought I was doing what was right for you.”
“I know,” he says softly. “But it’s all worked out in the end.” Then his voice deepens. “Now, enough of the sad, mopey shit. Feed me, woman.” He pounds his chest like a caveman, and I giggle.
I rummage through the pantry and find a single can of beans. “This will have to do until I can get online and order someactualfood.”
He smirks. “What?”
