"What did your brother say to you?" I asked. "Because he looks like a puppy who just got the crap beat out of him with a newspaper." When she snarled, I cringed. "Whoa. You really are mad."
"He told me to quit messing with Brody," she answered, her breath hitching as though she were trying not to cry. "That I shouldn't be playing mind games with his best friend."
I stared out the back door, my eyes narrowed on J.J. "Oh, no he didn't." My voice was dangerously low.
"He did."
"Okay, then I'm officially not upset you forgot to take me with you when you left. Want me to hurt him for you?" Because I totally would. I loved J.J. like a brother, but I wouldn't hesitate to make him regret hurting my bestie.
Cam laughed, no longer sounding as though she wanted to cry. "Thanks, but that won't be necessary. Just make him squirm a little."
"Oh, that I can do."
There was a pause, and then Cam said, "Crap. I have no idea what to tell my mom."
"Tell her the truth, that J.J. was being an asshat," I said. Though it probably wouldn't be necessary. It seemed he was willing to admit that he'd screwed up.
I glanced back out the door and J.J. and Brody were still talking but their body language wasn't as stiff.
"I can't," she said. "She's always had this thing about how we had to work out our differences without yelling or violence."
"How exactly does she think you're supposed to do that?" I asked because that didn't make sense to me.
"By talking," she replied, her tone as arid as the desert.
"You mean shouting?" I asked.
"Nope. Talking. Calmly and reasonably about why we were upset with the other person and resolving the issue with compromise and love."
I scoffed. "Screw that. Total annihilation is the only way to go."
I heard Ben snort next to me and shot him a look. He just grinned at me as if he wasn't concerned.
"Today, I'm going to settle for not having to stare at my brother's face across the dining room table at lunch. If you want, I can swing back by and pick you up."
I really appreciated her offer, but I didn't want her to have to potentially deal with J.J. and her mother.
I waved a hand even though she couldn't see it. "Don't worry about it. I'll get Brody or your mom to drop me off at the shop. Besides, if I leave now, who will make your brother squirm?"
Ben pointed to his chest, as if to say he would be happy to give me a ride. I winked at him, which made him grin again.
"Let me know if that changes," she said.
"Roger that, Ghostrider." I hung up just in time for J.J. to come back inside. Brody was still standing on the back deck, staring out into the backyard. "Feel better?" I asked J.J. sweetly, but I knew my smile was scalpel-sharp.
He sighed. "I know I screwed up, okay? I'm going to call Cam in a bit. You don't have to read me the riot act."
"Who's reading anything?" I asked, patting his shoulder as I walked to the back door. "Though I did promise your sister I would make you squirm. Maybe I should tell your mom about the time you went skinny dipping with Christina Marins."
J.J. hunched his shoulders and scuttled by me.
"Oh, that was a good one," Ben murmured as he moved to come with me. "Be sure to mention the pictures."
I glanced over my shoulder at him. "Do you mind if I talk to your brother alone for just a second?"
His hazel eyes were keen as he met my gaze. "Planning on making him squirm, too?" he asked.
I shook my head. "I just want to help him. I think he might be good for Cam."
