“Of course not. He’s a great person, and I’m thrilled he and Charlotte have a good relationship, because it could’ve gone very badly. But she worries about him, which means I feel a certain responsibility to make sure he’s okay. That’s why I asked you to look after him.”
That irritated Tristan to the point where he set his bottle on the table between them and crossed his arms. “Sean is neither a child nor an incompetent who needs ‘looking after.’ He’s an adult, capable of making his own decisions.”
Ray’s drink joined his, and he matched Tristan’s glare. “And you’ve known him what—a couple of months? You haven’t had to help him out of the various scrapes he’s gotten into because of bad choices he’s made.”
“Bad choices because he only had himself growing up.” Why he sprang to Sean’s defense so fiercely, he couldn’t say, but he was certain Ray and Charlotte hadn’t been privy to all the details of Sean’s childhood. “We’ve talked a little about what it was like for him. That kind of instability as a child changes you. Sean might not always make the best decisions, but the type of person he is, his underlying good nature, that he held on to. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how we learn from them that shows character.”
“If I didn’t think Sean was inherently a good person, I wouldn’t let him around my children, uncle or not. I want him to succeed.”
Tristan smiled, imagining Sean sitting at a desk behind a computer all day. “Then let him be. I really think he’s on to something with the street singing, and in time, he’ll figure out a way to make it pay. It might be unconventional to you, but that doesn’t make it bad or wrong. Just different.”
“Enough about Sean. How’re you doing? Still no luck with an apartment?”
Relieved to have moved on, Tristan huffed out a frustrated sigh. “No. I put in an offer on a place, but it was a lowball. I hate the thought of getting fleeced.”
“Don’t worry about staying in the apartment. Take as long as you need. With three little kids, we can’t go running off to the city anymore like we used to. That’s why we rent it out. We’ll keep it until the kids are older and we have more freedom.”
“Makes sense.”
Ray studied him, and Tristan wondered what went on behind those thoughtful brown eyes. “I heard you were on-site and met the team. They’re a good group, I think.”
“Yeah. I’m impressed. One thing I didn’t like was the security schedule posted in plain sight, so I had that taken down.”
Ray frowned. “I wasn’t aware of that, but again, I’m not on the floor. Good call.”
“Just trying to minimize exposure. I’m looking forward to starting on Monday. I feel like I’ve been doing nothing but apartment-hunting and watching ball games.”
Charlotte poked her head inside. “All right, you two. Enough shoptalk. Time to get out here. Sean is wrapping up the entertainment, and then it’s pizza, ice cream, and the birthday cake.”
Ray’s smile was wry. “Thanks for letting me escape, sweetheart. I’m coming to rescue you.” He hoisted himself out of the chair, and Tristan followed. Charlotte let Ray walk ahead and waited for Tristan.
“I’m so glad to finally meet you, even if it is in the fifth circle of hell, also known as a toddler’s birthday party.”
“I have a goddaughter about their age, and I was exhausted spending only a few hours at the zoo with her. I can’t imagine twins, plus another child.”
“It’s why happy hours were invented.”
They walked to the kitchen, where a wall of windows overlooked a vast expanse of lush green lawn. Tristan guessed it was approximately an acre, as there was room enough for a pool, as well as a jungle gym play area for the kids. Sean wasn’t singing but had taken over balloon-blowing duties, holding the kids enraptured. He was in his element, sitting on a beanbag chair, chattering away with everyone. Tristan caught his eye and Sean ducked his head but not before Tristan caught a sly wink in return.
“Sean told me you were having trouble finding a place.”
“It’s rough, but I’m sure something will pop up sooner or later.” He watched as Sean twisted multicolor balloons together to make a dog. “I had no idea he could do that,” he murmured to himself. “He’s really good.”
It was only the two of them in the kitchen, as Ray had joined the group outside. Charlotte stood by his side.
“You and my brother are involved, aren’t you?”
Tristan’s heart did a swan dive to his belly. “Wh-what?” he stuttered.
“I saw you just now, and that’s not a look a man gives someone who’s just a buddy.” She faced him, and Tristan again could see the resemblance, not only because they shared the same wavy golden-brown hair and hazel eyes, but in the stubborn tilt of the jaw and mouth. “I’m not here to condemn or judge you. But please don’t hurt him. He trusts so easily, and it’s always come back to haunt him. If you’re only in it for fun and games, that’s fine, but make sure he knows.”
“We’re not involved.”
They weren’t. Not really. It was all pure lust and proximity. Once he moved…but he didn’t want to think about that. He preferred to live in the moment, especially when that moment consisted of Sean naked and in his bed.
“My senses say otherwise, but if you want to keep it to yourselves, that’s fine. I know I can be a little nosy, but I missed out on way too many years. I think that gives me a little leeway to be overprotective.”
Tristan shrugged. “He’s your brother. I’m gonna go outside.” Leaving Charlotte behind, he pushed the sliding door open and stepped onto the patio to join the adults. From where he sat, he could see how well Sean worked with both the kids and parents. He was a natural entertainer.
