“So, I need to be somewhere in the middle. I’m thinking I need to lean toward your side, cause I don’t want to be a dick to a girl and, like, make her cry. And I was just asking ‘cause if you’re bang…”
Jonah hardened his gaze. “Watch it.”
Holden cleared his throat. “What I mean is, if taking your approach gets me a girl like Roxanne, well, that’s where I wanna be. But if you’re just friends, then Cord’s side is a better option.” He nodded. “See? Research.”
Jonah stared back at his brother. “Why don’t you just be yourself?”
“I have been, and look where it’s gotten me. Eighteen and still a virgin.”
“Nothing wrong with that, Holden.” Jonah said.
Holden snorted, rolling his eyes. “Says a guy who got laid at sixteen.”
I should’ve never shared that story.It was meant to be relatable, and he’d hoped his brothers felt comfortable enough to come to him. It had worked, but it came with a downside.
“There’s a lot more to sex than the motion.”
His face paled. “Yeah, I know, Jonah. Please not another lecture about babies and STDs. I’ve barely recovered from that video you showed me a couple years ago.”
Jonah laughed. “Just keeping you informed is all.”
Holden shot him what was meant to be a glare but somehow came out more comical than angry. “Yeah, I’m informed of exactly what can happen to my dick.” His mouth twisted in disgust. “You won’t let me watch porn, but you show me that gross shit?” Holden moved across the room to the stove. “Not right. Just not right.”
The door swung open in the kitchen. “What?”
All the anger that’d subsided during Holden’s research conversation quickly resurfaced the minute he caught sight of Cord’s face. His brother had the smarts to move back a step.
“You tell me.” Jonah stared back at him, waiting. Twenty-one was young but old enough to know better and follow common rules.
“I’m sorry about the car.” Nothing in his tone sounded remorseful.
Jonah continued to scowl and locked his jaw.
Cord released a heavy breath. “And for lying.”
“Keep going.” Jonah snapped.
Cord’s gaze drifted around the room, landing on Holden. With his youngest brother at his side, Jonah couldn’t see what he was doing, but it became clear as he watched Cord’s face. Those two were always helping each other out when it came to dealing with Jonah. More so Holden assisting, but occasionally, Cord would take one for his youngest.
Cord’s brows knitted together in confusion, and he leaned a fraction closer. Jonah smirked. Cord was never good at reading lips. It took a few more seconds before Cord understood, and his face turned a bright shade of red.
“And for grabbing her arm but …” He held up his hands in front of his chest. “It wasn’t hard, you heard her say it herself.”
“So, you’re telling me it’s okay to go grabbing a woman as long as it doesn’t hurt her?”
“No.” He groaned. “But I didn’t hurt her.”
“It doesn’t fucking matter. You don’t put your hands on any woman unless you have permission, do you understand me?” His tone was feral. It had to be in order to prove a point to his brother. Both of them.
“Yeah, I get it.” Cord lowered his gaze to the floor and shoved his hands in his pockets. That’s what he’d been waiting for. Remorse and regret for his actions. Jonah sucked in a breath and moved forward, grasping the back of Cord’s neck.
“I know you do.” He tightened his grip and pulled him over to his side and curled his arm over his shoulder. “Let’s get dinner ready and eat.”
Cord glanced up with a small smile and moved to the cabinet with the plates. This was how most nights went in their house. Everyone did their part. Jonah made his way to the fridge, grabbing drinks and condiments while Cord finished setting the table. It was eerily quiet but not for long, Jonah knew.
Once they took their seats, they made their plates. Even without looking at his brother, he knew Holden was staring. Jonah sighed and looked up.
“What?”
