Tank shook his head. “Not my orders. I go where you go.”
“Actually, you go where I tell you to go. You work for me now, not for him.”
Clearly the steroidal monster hadn’t been informed of the changing of the guard and, while he chewed over my proclamation, Breeze and I stepped inside.
At the last moment, Tank took a step but I held up my hand. “Stay!”
Breeze barked out a laugh as I closed the door. “He’s not a dog.”
My thoughts immediately turned to Little Dick, and I smiled.
“I know, Tank listens.”
Our laughter caught Marni’s attention and she looked between us, clearly curious about the woman I’d brought to her home.
“Um … yeah… Marni, I’d like you to meet my…” A variety of options floated through my head, but I settled on something neutral. “Friend.”
Marni tilted her head to the side, amused, “Uh-huh, and doesFriendhave a name?”
Breeze stepping in to introduce herself and, as they went through the pleasantries, I took a look around. Two sets of eyes locked onto mine.
Drawn to my brothers, I moved blindly, my hand outstretched. “Hey, I’m Bodhi.” The older of the two, Evan, slumped against the wall, dropping his gaze to the floor.
Marni’s sharp voice cut across the room, “Evan, don’t be rude.”
Surprised by her flash of anger, I took a step back. “Hey, it’s okay,” I said. “This is awkward for all of us.”
My mother lifted her chin, fighting to regain her composure. “Oh, sure. I know. Evan’s just shy. It can come across as bad-mannered.”
Evan glared at his mother, the muscle in his jaw clinched tight. He said nothing, but the contempt was there for all to see.
The room descended into silence, tension like a thick fog rolling in from the ocean. Seeking a ray of sunlight, I turned my attention to Jonah, who’d been a bright, ball of energy since the moment I’d arrived. Unlike his brother, there would be no need to win him over. He was already there. Offering my fist, Jonah readily bumped his against it.
And without an ounce of restraint, my youngest half-brother and I chatted each other up like old friends. Jonah’s paternal grandfather, Marcus, was by his side throughout the entire exchange. I wasn’t sure why he was here, but it was clear the two were incredibly close and that the older man played an active role in my brother’s life.
After a moment, we all took our places around the table and ate pizza straight from the box. As I continued my lively conversation with Jonah and Marcus, I watched Breeze from the corner of my eye, as she tried to coax Evan out of his shell.
He proved no match for Breeze’s easy charm, and soon a smile tugged at his lips and the tension in the air evaporated.
Even Marni seemed to relax, dropping her mother of the year act in favor of some light-hearted banter. All seemed right in the world. I had everything I could ever wish for - a family, a career, and the girl who took my life to a whole other level.
I tapped Breeze’s thigh under the table, and she turned, her eyes sparkling like jewels, her smile wrapping itself around my heart with ease. Our fingers threaded together like the notes of my favorite song.
This was our fate. The reason we’d come together up on that mountain. We belonged together and, in that moment, I knew I was falling in love.
Caught up in my own thoughts, I didn’t notice the detour the conversation had taken. Instead of just leaving the kid be, Marni felt the need to call attention to Evan’s many ‘gifts’.
“Evan’s an artist.”
“Evan’s best subject is writing.”
“Evan’s popular with the ladies.”
It wasn’t clear whether she was truly proud of him or just touting her own superior mothering skills. Either way, there was no need for the up-sell. Evan was my brother and, good or bad, I’d make sure he and Jonah were taken care of.
Instead of being pleased by his own accomplishments, Evan seemed to be shrinking further into himself.
Oblivious to her son’s discomfort, Marni shifted her focus to Breeze. “Evan’s at the top of—"
