Heath winced. His ears heated. His rage could’ve brought the cops, and then he would’ve harmed his brothers. “Sorry about what happened. I’m all right now. Lost it for a moment, but it’s all good.”
“You’re forgiven.” Ryker rubbed the scruff on his jaw. “That’s great about being fine and all, but when one of us loses it, we talk it out.” He winced. “I’m sure I saw that onDr. Phil.”
Warmth burst through Heath, and he chuckled, really feeling the amusement. Man, he loved his brothers. “We’re all so good with the feelings, right?”
Denver frowned, his blue eyes darkening.
“Exactly,” Ryker agreed. “Later over beer?”
“Over beer,” Denver said.
Heath gave in. “Yeah. Later over beer.” He sighed. Ryker was right. They all had scars from the past, and when the old pains boiled up, they talked it out. That’s what family did. Well, if they really wanted in, the busybodies, then . . . “I need more condoms, I think.”
“Too much information.” Ryker shook his head and shoved open a glass door. “Let’s be quick about this. Though the apartments are secured, I don’t want to be away for long.”
Neither did Heath, although he had no clue what to say to Anya, especially when all he wanted was to put her right back into bed where they could both stay. He followed Ryker into the jewelry store and was instantly hit with the soft scents of lemon and cinnamon. As an air freshener, it wasn’t bad.
The store was small with long glass counters running alongside all three walls. The door and windows took up the fourth wall and let in plenty of natural light. No other customers had braved the storm to buy baubles.
Ryker made his way over to the wide counter to the right. “I’m thinkin’ that one.” He nodded down at the case, his gloved fist clenched over it.
Heath stepped up to one side of him with Denver on the other. The three of them took up the entire length of the counter. “Which one?”
“It isn’t obvious?” Ryker tilted his head to study him.
Heath frowned and looked at five rows of sparkly rings. Some were diamonds, some pearls, even some sapphires. “Uh.”
Denver bent closer to the counter. “That one.” He pointed to a stunning ring with a large square diamond surrounded by deep blue sapphires. “Matches her eyes.”
Ryker grinned, his entire body relaxing. “Yeah. That’s the one.”
“It’s perfect.” Denver straightened and wandered over to another counter, tension rolling from him.
As usual, Denver had seen through the question to the answer. Too bad he couldn’t do that in his own life—especially when it came to the woman he’d left behind in Alaska for her own good. It certainly hadn’t done Denver any good.
Heath studied the ring. “It’s beautiful.” At his words, an elderly man who’d been hovering on the other side of the room made his way over, his eyes gleaming with a promised sale.
“I’m Ernie, and I own the store.” The guy pushed back his thick gray hair. “Can I help you gentlemen?”
Ryker pointed out the ring. “I’d like to buy that one.”
So much for haggling. Heath lost interest and wandered around the store. What kind of jewelry would Anya like? He paused by a section holding emerald jewelry. In the center sparkled a square-cut emerald of the deepest green he’d ever seen. Two bands were set along each side, each containing several square diamonds.
The image of it on her finger wouldn’t leave his mind. He tore himself away and walked over to where Denver was staring into another counter. “What did you find?”
Denver didn’t move. His body was tense in his faded jeans and worn black leather jacket, and the snow had melted away.
Heath followed his gaze to a series of rings with diamonds and a pretty light green stone. “What is that?”
“Alexandrite,” Denver said quietly, his hands shoved into his pockets. His eyes shuttered, and his face lost all expression. But his jaw remained set, and a vein pulsed down his strong neck. Even standing next to Heath, he looked . . . alone.
Heath studied the pretty designs. The only time Denver had that look was when something reminded him of Noni, the woman he’d left behind a year ago. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but—”
“Then don’t.” Denver turned to go.
Heath grabbed him by the shoulder, and Denver stiffened beneath his touch. “If I have to chat about my feelings, so do you.” They’d let him stew long enough. “For a while, I thought you’d work her out of your system, so I gave you space.” Yet Denver seemed to be getting worse. “I can smell the booze on your breath from your coffee,” Heath said quietly.
Denver turned and faced him directly, his deep blue eyes all but glowing. “We all drink.”
