Canyon looked like he was going to be sick.
“Mom was here, holding down the fort with six kids, and he’s out there sowing wild oats.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“He said it was over, in the past. I didn’t see the point.”
“He was our father!”
“And he’s dead now. It’d change nothing?—except maybe do to you what it did to me and irrevocably alter what ‘hero’ and ‘love’ looks like.” He ran a hand over his head. “Dad was a hero, but he was also unfaithful. Both sides. No reason to destroy anyone else’s view of him.”
Canyon stared at him. “That’s why you didn’t re-up.”
“Wasn’t sure why I was in anymore. Joined to follow in his footsteps …”
“And that wasn’t a path you wanted to follow.”
“But … I did.” Stone squinted into the darkness. Was something moving in the trees? Maybe Rowe or Griffin. “Dad’s priority was his career. Separated him from Mom long enough that he forgot what it was like to be in her arms, and he ended up with another woman. So, I got out, buried myself in law enforcement …” He sneered. “Drove Marie into the arms of another. I did the marriage and military thing all to continue the Metcalfe legacy. Only …”
“That legacy wasn’t what you thought it was.”
With a slow nod, Stone glanced down.
“That’s why you didn’t even blink when Marie cheated on you and left.”
Stone snorted. “Figured it was my Metcalfe inheritance. Then I dared get involved with Brighton while in office. My arrogance??—another thing we Metcalfes are good at???—convinced me it’d be different this time.”
“Well.” Canyon wheeled around and leaned against the rail. “You were right. Hello?—an escort and sex scandal.” He cocked his head and gave a one-shoulder shrug. “Can’t get more different than that.”
Stone socked his brother.
Canyon grunted a laugh, then sobered. “You really like her. I mean??—heck. Of course you do. You called me in and you never want my help.”
“More of that prideful arrogance, I guess.”
The door creaked open and Stone glanced over his shoulder. Saw Brighton, her hair messily mounded atop her head. “Hey.” He instinctively reached for her and liked the way she stepped closer. “What’re you?—”
“Your mom??—” She drew in a sharp breath, then her smile brightened the morning. “You shaved.”
Heat chugged through his face, all too aware of his little brother listening and watching. “Got on my nerves.”
She trailed those delicate fingers along his freshly shaven jaw, her expression entirely too inviting. “Better.”
Dang if he wasn’t homing in on another kiss when Canyon cleared his throat.
He glowered at his little brother, resenting the intrusion and the snigger that came after it.
Brighton blushed and tucked her chin. “Sorry. Your mom … she needs buttermilk from the condo, so I volunteered to run and get it.”
It was strange, her being here, part of his life, interacting with Mom. “I’ll go with you.”
“No,” she said softly, glancing at Canyon with a shy smile. “You two keep chatting. It won’t take a minute.” She was hustling off the steps by the time he found his brain again.
“Be right back,” he muttered to his brother, then strode after her, ignoring Canyon’s snicker.
He was almost to where the path banked when he heard voices. Lengthening his stride, he rounded the corner. Saw the forms ahead in the glare of the condo porch light.
Crap. Pellet and that woman who was none too shy about flirting. What were they saying to her? He didn’t like the way Brighton’s eyes glinted with anger, the way her lips thinned.
