“Like what?”
Jonah laughed. “Feeling comfortable around me, Kenzie?”
“Damn, am I being too nosy? Shit, I’m sorry.”
“Nah, you’re fine.” He paused and the ball of his throat shifted. “I been raising my brothers since I was eighteen. It’s not exactly the dream setting for a girlfriend when I’ve got that much responsibility.”
“I have a younger brother, too. I get it, they can be a handful.” She clamped her lips shut. It was stupid and insensitive to compare her situation to his. She wasn’t left to raise her brothers when her mom died. “I didn’t mean it to come out that way.”
“I didn’t take it any way, Kenzie. I’m sure you get where I’m coming from being the only girl, you must have showed him something like a mama’s love. That’s where we lacked in our house.”
“How many brothers do you have?”
“Three. One at home and one at college.”
That was only two.
“And the third?”
Jonah’s face transformed into a tight tense stone. His temple pulsed and she was thinking she had pushed too much. Jonah looked out the side window and made the turn. He seemed to be gathering his thoughts or deciding how to answer. He licked his lips.
“He died a long time ago.”
“Oh God, I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” Talking about her mom always gave her an uneasy feeling but there was something more in the way Jonah reacted. She didn’t know how many years ago it was he lost his brother but it was obvious it was still very raw for him. She slumped in her seat wishing away the tension she just brought on.
There wasn’t much she could say to him. Nothing would be the right thing, she knew that from experience.
The phone started to ring again and she was thankful for Bogs’ persistence. Distraction was what the cab of the truck needed.
“What do ya think? Time to put him out of his misery?”
She jerked her head to Jonah’s widespread grin, the corners of his eyes crinkling. She giggled and nodded.
He grabbed the phone and answered. “Yeah.”
She could hear Bogs over the line. His words were loud but mumbled and she couldn’t make out what he was saying.
“She’s with me. Offered her a ride.”
His face hardened. “You reign that shit in, Bogs. Maybe if you’d been with her, she wouldn’t be in my truck now.”
Whatever Bogs was saying obviously angered Jonah.
“Yeah, man, I hear ya. Now hear me. I’m taking your girl home.”
Jonah’s harsh face spread in a huge grin. Polar opposite ofwhat he appeared just moments earlier. Whatever Bogs was saying was highly amusing.
“Not on your best day, Bogs. I’ll take her to the house. Let this be a lesson, man.” Jonah burst out laughing and clicked the phone off, tossing into the cup holder.
“What did he say?”
“Let’s just say he confirmed that you two are a thing.”
“So you’re taking me to the house?”
He nodded. “Mind if I make a stop or two first?”
