“Well, not by blood. But he’s my mom’s best friend, like her brother. We’ve always known him as Uncle Cooper. He’s family. Blood doesn’t always matter.”
I nod. He’s right. Taylor is my family. Always will be. The same as Aria is his.
“Anyways. I was coming back from helping mom, and the bar was on my way, so I thought I’d see if you needed a ride.”
“Bullshit.” I grin. “The bookstore is the opposite way.”
“Whatever,” he grumbles, and his cheeks heat.
“You wanted to see me,” I tease, getting closer. The bar is empty. Cooper had already left for the night. It’s just him and me.
“Yeah. So what if I did?” he asks, spinning around and angling his body toward me.
Like a moth to a flame, I can’t help but be pulled closer to him.
“I missed you,” I admit, feeling like some sappy, lovesick fool. Maybe I am. I spent so long denying myself and my feelings. Now that I’ve accepted them, there's no going back.
“I missed you, too.” His voice is thick and husky. My dick really loves that sound.
I’m about to lean in and kiss him, because fuck me, I need my lips on his, his hands on me, when his phone rings.
He frowns and grabs it out of the pocket. “Isaiah?” he murmurs. “He never calls me. Give me a second,” he tells me.
“Yeah, sure.” I nod.
He answers the phone. “Hey, what’s up?”
I can’t hear what his brother is saying on the other line, but by the way Bennett is out of his chair with worried panic on his face, it’s not good.
“Are you hurt?” He waits for his brother to speak. “Do you need me to call an ambulance?” I can hear a frantic voice on the other line. “Okay, okay. I’m on my way. Where are you?” He nods his head to whatever his brother is saying. “Okay, stay put.” He looks up at me with a furrowed brow. “I gotta go.Something's going on with Isaiah. He’s crying, I think he’s hurt. He won’t tell me. He just said he needs me to go get him.”
Worry sinks in my stomach. “I’m coming with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I nod. “I’m not leaving you to deal with whatever this is on your own. Your brother needs you, and I’m gonna help.”
“Thank you.” He blows out a breath, nodding. “Thank you.”
“Let’s go.” I press a kiss to his lips. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“I hope so.” He growls. “I really fucking hope so. If someone hurt my brother, I’m going to fucking kill them.”
And I’m gonna be right there beside him, helping.
Chapter 18
Bennett
As soon as we pull up to the address my brother gave me, I’m out of the car and looking for him.
“Do you see him?” I ask Easton.
We’re in downtown Silver Valley. For a Wednesday night, it’s pretty busy.
What the hell is Isaiah doing out at one in the fucking morning?
Doesn’t matter. Right now, I need to find him and make sure he’s okay.
