I shoot him a distracted smile and slow my steps a fraction so he can catch up. “Hey. If this is about you seeing me speeding on Quilter earlier, no you didn’t.”
Holden’s nearly as tall as me, meaning he has several inches on Ames. His hair is perfectly combed and gelled tohide his curls. And his smile is all let’s-be-pals charm, a shade or two off Ames’s fierce grin. But like Ames, he’s familiar. Comfortable.Axford.
He waves a hand. “Please. I don’t even try to stop you anymore. Last time one of my guys pulled you over, my brother denied me free cornbread for a week,” he says mournfully. “Claimed it was a public service because if I kept eating it, I would, quote, ‘bust out of my shiny uniform like a Chippendale dancer.’”
This is so perfectly Ames, I laugh out loud.
Fuck, I’ve missed him this week. I just want to be near him. I don’t feel like I function right without him.
“Actually, I wanted a quick word aboutyourbrother,” Holden continues.
My laughter dies, and I stop walking. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” Holden assures me, hands raised. “I just ran into him at Wilder’s garage earlier, and he kinda slammed out of the place, looking pissed off. Jace said he was looking for work and wasn’t happy when they said they wouldn’t be hiring anyone until Wilder gets back from his road trip. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay with him. And you.”
“I’m fine. And this is the first I’ve heard of Mike needing work.” My stomach twists, worried this won’t be thelastI hear of it. “He’s been a construction supervisor for Luc Tremblay for a few months now, and he likes it. Luc’s a good guy.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize he was working for Luc.” Holden frowns, which makes me frown, too.
“Problem?”
“Nah.” He squeezes my shoulder and shakes his headfondly. “Maybe Mike just wants a second gig to make some extra money. He’s got a track star graduating next spring, and he’s gotta put those tuition dollars aside, right?”
I force a laugh and run a hand over my face. “Probably, yeah. And then a science nerd who’ll be graduating just a few years after that. So, uh… do you think Wilder will hire him?”
“If you ask him to, I bet he would.”
I blink. “Me?”
“Sure. Mike’s your family, you’re our family. And you know my dad always says?—”
“Family helps family,” I recite.
But I’m honestly not sure whether I’d want Wilder to hire Mike on my say-so. The thought feels disloyal, but it’s there.
Holden rolls his eyes. “That’s how True got me to help him move his fucking heavy fucking machinery around his fucking woodshop last weekend.” He squeezes my shoulders again and shakes lightly. “Fuckingbrothers, am I right?”
I laugh a little. “Yeah.” I dart a glance up the street toward Watchfire. “Speaking of, I’ve gotta go.” I jerk a thumb in that direction.
“Headed to Ames’s? I’ll walk with you.” Holden matches my pace. “Wanted to thank you for fixing the pipe at the Abigail last weekend. Mom was freaking out because she couldn’t find a plumber, everyone else was busy, and Dad had the flu but kept threatening to go fix it anyway.” He snorts. “I was about to cancel my plans and take care of it when she said she got a hold of you.”
“No big.” I elbow him lightly. “Vivian says I’m an honorary Axford, right? That includes fixing leaky pipes.”
“She’s not the only one who says it, dork. And I feel like I should thank you on behalf of theveryhappy tourist I got to… spend time with that night.” He bounces his eyebrows.
I laugh. Of all the gifts Ames has given me, letting me get to know his family is probably the best.
“Showed the gentleman the sights of Winsome, did you?” I tease. “Private tour?”
“Very private.” Holden grins. “Anyway, I owe you a beer.”
“And I’ll take you up on that,” I promise. “But not right now. Gotta talk to Amesie.” I hook a thumb at Watchfire as we reach the sidewalk outside the restaurant.
“What’s so urgent? Is this about his breakup? Because Ames isfine, trust me.”
“Breakup?” The word’s like a record scratch, and my smile evaporates. “What breakup?”
“Erick and Ames.” Holden’s eyebrows lift to his hairline. “You didn’t know? How’s that possible? They broke up Tuesday. I didn’t think you weirdos were capable of having a thought without sharing it immediately.”
