“That’s not true!” Brynnon nearly yelled.
“Whatever. You’ve always been a daddy’s girl.”
“Yeah? And you were a mama’s boy!”
The room went silent. Realizing what she’d just said made Brynnon want to crawl in a hole somewhere and never come out.
“Billy, I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to say that.”
In typical Billy fashion, he blew it off with a grin. “Ain’t no thing, Sis.” Standing, he looked to their father. “I just remembered I have somewhere to be.”
Guilt shot through Brynnon’s heart. “You’re leaving?”
The performance began again. “As much fun as this little family reunion has been, I do have a personal life I can’t ignore. Who knows? This girl may be the one.” He gave Grant a wink. “Guard my sister’s body well.” Turning to the other two men in the room, he tipped his head. “Dad. Martin. Enjoyable, as always.”
Without another word, he walked out of the room.
Brynnon shot up from her chair and began speed-walking after him. Luckily, she was able to catch up before he reached the other end of the long hall.
“Billy, wait!”
Her brother stopped and turned, his smile not nearly as brilliant as before. “What is it, Brynnon?”
“I’m sorry about what I said in there. I didn’t mean to bring Mom into it.”
“It’s okay.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “I started it.”
He turned away, but Brynnon stopped him with a hand to his arm. “I’m serious. I’ve been under a lot of stress getting my last house ready to sell, plus trying to sell my condo and get my cabin ready, but...that’s no excuse.”
“Yeah, well, I deserved it after what I said to your boyfriend in there.”
“He’s not my—”
“I’mteasing. Geez. Maybe that’s what you need to help with all this stress.”
“What?”
“To get laid.”
“Billy!” Brynnon smacked his upper arm, ignoring the image of Grant’s face flashing through her mind.
Despite the spat they’d just had, both siblings began to chuckle. Brynnon looked up at her brother. “I miss this. Us. We should get together for lunch. Just me and you.”
“What about your watchdog?”
“He can sit at another table or outside in his truck. I don’t know. I’ll figure something out.” Brynnon gave her brother a hug. “I love you, you big jerk.”
“Love ya, too, Sis,” he hugged her back. “Uh, oh. I think that’s my cue.”
“What?” Brynnon pulled away. Noticing her brother’s gaze was focusing on something behind her, she turned around to find Grant strolling toward them.
She looked at her brother again, but he was already walking toward the front door. “I’m serious about getting together soon!” she hollered after him.
With a casual wave in the air, Billy hollered back, “Call me.”
She watched her brother walk around the corner and out of her sight.
“You okay?”
