Suddenly,myphone rings shrilly on the counter. And I take it for the lifeline it is, moving around the counter to grab it.
“H-hello?”
“Uncle Ames? It’s Brie.” Her voice sounds uncharacteristically frustrated, nearly on the verge of tears. “Dad was supposed to take me to tae kwon do today, but he’s not here, and he’s not answering his phone. My green belt test starts in, like, twenty-seven minutes, and it’s twenty minutes away, and it’s my week to bring snacks. Kaylee says Dad’s car’s busted, and Mom’s working a double ’til three, and Uncle Robbie’s not answering his phone. I don’t know what to do.”
“Hang on, sweetheart. Take a breath. We’ve got this,” I tell her.
I glance over at Robbie, and I can tell he’s heard the whole thing, though it wasn’t on speaker, simply because she was that loud and upset.
He clenches his jaw, shuts his eyes, shakes his head once like he cannot fucking believe this is happening, then opens them and nods once.
“Uncle Robbie’s with me, and he’s coming to get you right now,” I tell her. “Okay? He’s getting dressed.”
Robbie stomps toward the stairs.
“Oh, thank you,” she says fervently.
“’Course. Now, do you have the snacks?”
“Yeah. Mom said to bring orange slices and pretzels,” she assures me. “It’s lame, but I’m not allowed to use the stove when she’s not home.”
“I think it sounds awesome,” I say soothingly. “If you wanna make something less lame for next time, though, call me.”
Brie laughs, just as I hoped she would. “’Kay. Thanks, Uncle Ames.”
“Good luck today. Kill that belt test. I love you.”
“Love you too,” she says, calmer now.
We hang up just as Robbie’s jogging down the stairs. He’s pulled on a sweatshirt and sneakers with his sweatpants, and he looks like a fuckingsnack. Way tastier than pretzels and oranges.
“Our conversation’s not over, Ames,” he warns as he grabs his keys from the counter.
Contrary to what my brothers might tell you, Idoknow how to stay quiet when it matters. I don’t say a damn word.
But I guess I forgot for a minute there that Robbie knows me because he doesn’t leave it at that. He crossesthe kitchen in two long strides. “Be here when I get back, and don’t make me come looking for you, okay?”
Before I say a word, he takes my head in one hand and kisses me hard.
“I mean it,” he calls as a warning as he heads for the front door.
I press my fingers to my lips. I can still feel the kiss like it’s imprinted itself into my skin.
But that’s just more delusion. More weakness.
I decide I am not waiting around to see how weak the man can make me.
Before Robbie’s truck’s pulled out of the driveway, I’m dialing Holden.
“Lucky I was in the neighborhood,”Holden grumbles. “I should be spending this perfect Saturday as god intended—finding a hot tourist who has a thing for a man in uniform.” He darts me a look. “Not being your getaway driver.”
My brother’s currently hovering next to me as I limp down Robbie’s walkway and is carrying my duffel bag—a bag he packed while I pointed at various objects on the floor I couldn’t bend over and reach—so I know his put-upon attitude is all for show. When Robbie’s across-the-street neighbor waves and Holden grins and waves back, the image is further destroyed.
“I appreciate you,” I tell him honestly as I get settled in the passenger’s seat of his sheriff’s SUV. “Really, Holden. You’re my favorite.”
“Uh-huh. So are you gonna tell me why we’re fleeing Robbie’s place like thieves in the night?” he demands.
“Pfft. Don’t be dramatic.”
