“That was your favorite comeback when we were kids,” Brad said, looking over the lake. It was still early enough that the mists were rising.
“I still use it, ’cause it annoys Annabelle.”
“I bet. Still annoys me, and I haven't heard it in years.”
The waters were rippling as a breeze brushed the surface. He needed to take a swim in them, could almost feel the cool water as he submerged beneath it.
“Job done then.”
Brad snorted.
“You been in touch with Mother?”
“Some. I send her an e-mail every now and again. Have called a few times, but he intercepts it, and we get into things, then I hang up.”
“Yeah, same goes.”
Ethan was now at the rear of his helicopter, and Brad knew exactly what he was doing, because he'd done the same thing a few times.
“I can fly now.” He hadn't meant to say the words; they'd just come out before he could stop them. Strange how he still felt the need to impress his brother after all these years.
“What?”
Ethan stopped what he was doing and came to stand in front of him.
“I learned to fly after you left. Uncle Mitch made me.”
Ethan was always way more emotional than him, and his eyes flared as he dragged in a lungful of air.
“Do you fly much?”
“Every chance I get. Is that a problem for you?”
“Hell no, it's not a problem. It's awesome, is what it is.” His brother's eyes narrowed. “Why would it be a problem?”
“Hell if I know.”
“You want to fly her in today?”
“No.” Brad didn’t let his surprise show. “You know this territory.”
“How rich are you?”
“Are we comfortable enough with each other to ask that kind of question?”
“We're Texan and our father is a billionaire. You learn to be comfortable with that shit in school.”
“True that.” Brad found a smile. “But arewecomfortable enough with each other for that conversation?”
He knew in his rational moments that Ethan had left to survive. Knew it, understood even, but that didn't make the hurt go away.
“You can't hate me forever, I'm just too nice a guy.”
“And so humble.”
“What can I say, it's why everyone loves me.”
“Not everyone.”
