“How much do you owe? I can get you some money before I sort out the will.” He hated the thought of giving anything to Trevor, but he needed the man to becontent and—even more importantly—as far away as possible from his home and family.
“I owe around a million dollars.”
Chris couldn’t find the words to respond. This had to be a joke.
Trevor chuckled. “You have that kind of money lying around?”
“No.”
“Thought so.”
“Can you sell the house?”
“Youown that fucking house. Well, at least you will in two years.” Trevor stepped back and tapped the side of his head. “Robert thought of everything. Andy, let him go.”
Once Andy did, Chris shook his numb hand. The movement turned on the entryway light, momentarily blinding him.
“We’ll be in touch,” Trevor said.
“I’ll need some time to figure this out.”
“Are you already starting with excuses?”
Chris remained quiet. He was seconds away from getting safely back inside.
“It was good seeing you, little brother. Too bad it couldn’t be under happier circumstances.” Trevor ran a hand through his jet-black hair. “I’ll call for an update soon. Don’t do anything foolish, you hear? I’d hate to do something foolish, too.”
“Good night, Daniel,” Andy said. “I enjoyed holdingyour hand.”
They left him there and walked down the street, two shapes disappearing into the night. Chris watched them with cold numbness, realizing that once more, his entire world had come tumbling down.
2
JAY
“Are you done with this beauty?”
Beauty?That ugly old Ford had been giving him hell all day. Despite the money, Jay hated wasting his time on lost causes. This junk of a car would be back for more repairs in a month, no matter what he did. He rolled out from underneath the car, squinting at his older brother. “I still have about an hour left, assuming nothing blows up in my face.”
Stu chuckled, his belly jiggling like Santa Claus with his long beard. “Don’t stay too late.” He went to wipe his greasy hands on a towel.
“Why? We need the cash.”
Stu shook his head. “We’ve talked about this. I don’t like it when you do twelve-hour shifts, then go home to crash until the next day.”
“I think I’m old enough to manage my own free time, thank you.”
“You’ve been managing it poorly, and we both know it.”
Jay took a deep breath, not wanting to turn this into afight. “I’m not crashing on your couch anymore, so give me a break.”
“I had no problem with you crashing on my couch, Baby Jay, and that doesn’t change my point.”
“Stop calling me Baby Jay. It’s creepy.”
“Stop acting like a baby, and I’ll think of adjusting your nickname.”
Jay’s anger grew hotter. This same old argument never led them anywhere, but Stu was too stubborn to accept it. “I’m fucking working to pay my rent. How the hell am I supposed to be more of a grownup?”
