Leaf knocks on the table, the vibrations catching my attention, and I look up and realize that Quinn is standing between him and Thorne.
‘When did you get here?’ I demand.
‘Two minutes ago. Where is your head at?’ he asks with a smirk.
I flip him off instead of answering him and turn my attention to Leaf. ‘What?’
‘Quinn wants to know if you’ll help him load up his car when you’re done eating.’
I don’t even bother asking what for. I just shrug, then nod and go back to my plate. I can feel Dex staring at me, but I refuse to blink first.
If this is a game of chicken, he will lose.
‘How long will you be gone?’ Dex is asking Quinn.
My gaze flickers over to Quinn, who shrugs, his cheeks bulging like Michael, but with a baguette instead of zucchini. ‘Six weeks, I think. This is a more complex case.’
I forgot he was doing the PI thing now with Thorne. ‘You sure you want him on this?’ I ask Thorne. ‘He’s always been the most chaotic one of the siblings.’
Thorne laughs and shakes his head. ‘He’s got good instincts. And I think I like a little chaos.’ With that, he leans over to kiss Leaf, and I try not to groan.
I can’t help but wonder if we’re talking about the same Quinn. The guy who didn’t realize his own sister was pregnant until she was eight months along and they were throwing her a baby shower.
He told everyone he thought she was just gaining weight.
But who am I to judge, really?
I thought I was fucking a dude who was engaged and didn’t have the willpower to stop myself.
Still, my protective instincts are kicking in. I have no idea what an actual PI does. The shit in movies tends to be dangerous. They always fuck with the wrong people, and heads end up in random boxes in the desert.
Quinn is like a brother to me. I will not stand for that happening.
I like his head right where it is, thank you very much.
‘Are you sure it’s safe?’
Quinn doesn’t just roll his eyes—he rolls his whole body. ‘Yes,Dad. I’ll be fine,Dad.’
‘Whatever. Don’t call me when you’re naked, tied up, and stranded on the side of the road,’ I tell him.
‘Don’t threaten me with a good time,’ Quinn fires back.
Dex waves at me, and reluctantly, I glance over. ‘How many times has that happened?’
‘We don’t talk about that,’ Quinn signs quickly. He brushes baguette crumbs off his hands and stands up. ‘Come on. Help me.’
I haven’t eaten much, but I told them I’d help, so I stand up and determinedly do not look over at Dex as I follow Quinn into the front room.
There are three plastic bins on the sofa—all three annoyingly heavy—but luckily, I’ve been keeping up on arm day, so I’m able to grab two while he gets the last one and walks me out to his car.
We shove them in the back seat, and then I turn and look him up and down. He’s not the naïve college freshman who used to follow me and Robbie around to bars, but I worry as though he still is.
‘Be careful.’
He reaches up and gives my cheek a patronizing pat. ‘I will. This case is easy. Not as bad as the last one.’
I frown. ‘The cheater?’
