Lila drags me toward the hallway. “Which one is our bedroom?”
A horn blasts obnoxiously from the front yard, halting our steps.
“Who’s that?” she asks, reversing for a peek through the window.
A rental truck slowly reverses, coming to a stop near the porch.
Sawyer sticks his face in the front door. “Your shit is here, old man.”
“Old man?” I scoff, striding across the room. “I’m like four minutes older. Allegedly.”
As we head outside, I answer Lila’s question. “Warren stayed behind at the condo this morning to oversee the furniture move. It took longer than we expected, and if I told you why we were running late, it would’ve ruined the surprise.”
Andrews steps out of the truck and ambles to the rear. From the passenger side, his buddy does the same, a big smile on his face as he sees Lila for the first time.
Without waiting for an introduction, he sticks out his hand. “You must be Lila. I’ve heard good things about you. I’m Big Al. Nice to meet you.”
“You’re Big Al?TheBig Al?” Lila squeaks, shaking his hand vigorously.
Here we go.Instant hero worship. It’s like meeting Kri all over again.
In her defense, Sawyer’s told us so many stories about the Redleg patriarch that he’s become a legend.
As they exchange pleasantries, a Redleg SUV pulls into the drive. Along with Romero, three of my twin’s coworkers file out and stroll over. They were the muscle from the condo portion of the move. Another round of introductions.
All thirteen of us spring into action. Boxes and furniture fly down the cargo ramp. I task Lila with directing traffic.
“Where’s the dolly?” Romero shouts from the bottom of the ramp. “I’m not carrying that fucking desk again.”
I suck air through my teeth in a slight cringe. “Oh yeah. That thing is solid wood.”
McBride brushes Drake out of the way, his boots clicking up the metal gangway. “The men will handle it.”
Drake steps aside to let him pass, adding a mock bow. “Be my guest.”
Sawyer pats Drake’s chest as he climbs into the truck. “We don’t need no stinkin’ dolly.”
“You weren’t there when we put it in the truck. It’s heavier than it looks. Have fun, though.”
My brother pauses to flex his muscles comically, which is how he does most things. “Oh, I intend to, sister.”
Can’t place the impression, but I’m confident it was one.
Kri stands on the porch. Grinning at Lila, she pointedly sniffs the air. “Ah, fresh testosterone. And a hint of stupidity.”
Rolling out my shoulders, I reluctantly enter to assist. “We need to be careful with this thing. Break anything else but this. It’s handcrafted. And it wasn’t cheap.”
It has some serious sentimental value.
Perry studies it, seeming impressed. “Nicest thing I’ve seen of yours all day. I approve, bro.”
Guilt scuttles over my sweaty skin in an ominous warning. But I shake it off. “On three?”
We try to lift it twice before Grant joins in. The four of us get it to the edge of the truck bed before stopping to suck wind.
“Hey, brain trust,” Kri goads from the sideline. “Did you consider removing the drawers?”
A series of curses and groans fills the truck.
