“It’s like something out ofLes Mis,” Emmett says.
“Jean Valjean.” Griffin sounds typically professorial, although he teaches econometrics, not French literature.
Hux shakes his head. “You’re on your own, man. Mom doesn’t defend petty criminals. It’s beneath her.”
“I also broke into Bobbi’s house,” I say. “Does that elevate my criminal status?”
Huxley laughs. He thinks I’m joking. But then all my brothers do.
“You probably shouldn’t say things like that because you’re making us witnesses to your confession. If her house was burglarized for real, you’d be a prime suspect even if you hadn’t done anything,” Nicholas says. He’s always so calm and sensible.
“Oh ye of little faith. If I broke in, nobody would notice.” None of my brothers take me seriously. I’ve done my job well over the years.
“Are you even allowed inside her bakery?” Emmett asks.
I give him a smug smile. “Of course I’m allowed in.”
“And you stole from her. Way to go.” Griffin shakes his head.
“Hey, she wouldn’t sell any to me,” I grumble.
“Should’ve taken some money,” Grant says with a laugh. “At least a credit card.”
“Join the modern world, bro. Nobody takes credit cards when they have a phone.” I shrug. “Anyway, she wouldn’t sell me anything. Told me she was out of croissants when there were four sitting right in front of me.Taunting me. Who does that?”
“Somebody who doesn’t want you as a customer. What have you done to her?”
Grant’s assumption that I’m the bad guy is mean, but not entirely unfair. Still, I put on my best I-didn’t-do-nuthin’ expression. “Not a thing. I’m completely innocent.”
“That’s why you will never get croissants from her bakery. When a woman’s mad at you, you just say, ‘I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.’” Sebastian’s tone is half-smug and half-chiding. Dickhead. He turns to Grant. “By the way, did you make up with Aspen?”
I swivel around. “Uh-oh. What’s going on?”
“Grant’s in the doghouse,” Nicholas says.
“He’s being a bad boy,” Huxley agrees. “Tell us what you did wrong.”
Grant shakes his head. “Wrong? Nothing.”
Seb points to him and mouths,See? Wrong thing to say, to me.
“I’m sure Grant is innocent as well,” I say.
Seb throws his hands up in the air, rolling his eyes.
“Depends on your viewpoint. Aspen wants to invest in a bar that her friend is starting, and Grant here is a little annoyed.” Emmett’s eyes twinkle with evil brother humor.
“Not just afriend.Zack, who’s been panting after her like a fucking dog since college!” Grant’s outrage reminds me a little of Bobbi’s cat.
“But you’re going to smooth things out,” Griffin says gravely.
“Obviously. My problem is with the asshole, not Aspen.”
“How?” I ask. My brothers have healthy relationships with their wives. I want to know what they do when they anger their women for real.
“I’ll simply explain to her why I’m upset. Calmly, of course,” Grant says.
“Better bring flowers,” Emmett says.
