Brandon choked a bit on his breadstick and, with a grateful smile, took a sip of water from the glass Tash handed him. He held his breath, waiting to see if Tash would reveal the extent of their relationship, but Luke spoke first.
“Don’t be an idiot.”
Brandon’s stomach dropped as he stared at Luke, who sat scowling at Jordan.
“I mean, Brandon’s a kid. Tash is older than you are. They have nothing in common.”
“I’m aware of how old Tash is, and wonder what that has to do with anything.” Jordan’s pale eyes gleamed. “Your younger brother certainly doesn’t seem like the hard-partying type. I’m five years older than you. Do you think I’m too old for you?”
Ash reentered the kitchen and got himself a bottle of water from the refrigerator. He leaned against the tiled kitchen counter. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
Before he had a chance to respond, Luke answered.
“Jordan has this ridiculous idea that Brandon and Tash are a couple.”
Ash raised his dark brows, his forehead furrowed. “Uh, what’s so ridiculous about it? From what I’ve seen and heard, Tash is a great guy.”
“He’s twelve years older than Brandon. Don’t you think—”
“Luke, stop.” Brandon stood. “You don’t have the right to tell me who to date.”
“If you’re making a stupid mistake, I do.” Luke faced him, his hazel eyes angry. “You should be out having a good time, enjoying yourself. You never had that. Ash and I didn’t have the opportunity, but you do.”
Ash put his hands on Drew’s shoulders, holding him close. “I recall how hurtful it was when Jordan refused to believe I cared for Drew and had changed my lifestyle.” He smiled down at Drew, and they shared a knowing look between them. “I think people deserve a chance to show their intentions are for the best, but even if others disagree, no one has the right to tell anyone who to love.”
“That was different. I knew Jordan; we already had feelings for each other. Brandon barely knows Tash. He should be spending more time getting reacquainted with us.”
“Stop deciding my life for me!” Brandon’s voice rang out louder than intended. The dog whined, and Jordan bent down to soothe her.
“I’m not a child, and my personal life isn’t an open topic of discussion for you to pass judgment on.” He glanced over at Tash, whose face was a mask of frozen politeness, then back at Luke. His anger spilled over at the discomfort and pain Tash most likely was going through. “You barely know me anymore, Luke. I’m not the little kid you left behind. You have no right to dictate my life.”
Brandon regretted his harsh words as he watched Luke visibly flinch. The thought that he’d caused his brother pain stripped him raw, but Brandon owed it to Tash and the tenuous bonds of their relationship to assert his opinions. And if they hurt his brother, Luke would have to understand.
The two of them stood nose to nose, neither one willing to back down. A gentle hand touched his arm.
“Brandon, sweetheart, come with me for a moment. Let’s give Lucas a chance to talk to Jordan and cool down.”
He looked down into Esther’s kind eyes. There was a hint of the steely determination behind the sweet facade. Before he knew what was happening, he found himself being led to a cozy room with dark wood moldings, beautiful paintings on the wall, and a lovely faded floral rug covering much of the shining wood floor.
“Please, sit down.” Esther indicated an overstuffed club chair for him to sit in, while she perched on the edge of a straight-backed chair.
He took his seat, a bit nervous. Though Ash and Luke both had a relationship with this woman, he knew very little about her. Out of deference to her age, he’d listen to her but didn’t plan on taking her advice. She knew nothing about him.
“Now I know you’re thinking, ‘What’s this old lady want? She doesn’t know me well enough to tell me what to do.’ And you’re right. But I wasn’t planning on telling you what to do.”
Brandon allowed a little smile to escape. “You weren’t?”
“No. I want to tell you instead about your brothers and what fine young men they are. I love Asher as if he were my own child. That man may think my grandson saved him, but I’ll tell you he’s responsible for bringing the joy back into this house we’d been missing for many years, ever since my dear Audrey died.”
“Was that your daughter?” How sad. He hadn’t known her only child had died.
“Yes. And when she died, the children fell apart. I didn’t know how to help them. Rachel came out of her wild phase quickly, but Drew…” She shook her head and blew her nose with a handkerchief she’d pulled from her apron pocket. “He retreated into a shell, following his friends around like a lost puppy. It wasn’t until Asher appeared that he came alive again.”
“I’m glad they found each other. I’ve never seen Ash happy like this, even when we were young.”
“Love will do that to a person. Loving the right person. Now Lucas, he wasn’t willing to admit he loved Jordan. And Jordan had suffered such a terrible loss and was in such a black place.” Her eyes glimmered wet with unshed tears. “To this day I say a prayer for our poor sweet Keith every week. I know Lucas rescued Jordan from his terrible tragedy and fell in love with him. I truly despaired that Jordan would ever fall in love again, but he did, and thank God their love is strong and healthy.”
Brandon shifted in his chair. “Esther, I hope you don’t think I’m rude, but what does this have to do with me?”
