Brooklyn was surprised that he could wait until tomorrow and didn’t ask to go to the firing range right now.
“See you tomorrow. Call if you need anything.” Still holding the gasoline samples, Blake strode away.
Colin followed, and soon a deadbolt snicked into place.
He returned, going straight to his brother. “Let the firing range dream go now. I’ll make sure we don’t leave without you getting a crack at it, but I don’t want your head in the wrong place tonight.”
Dev lowered his heels to the floor. “Do you purposefully look for ways to ruin the fun or does it just come naturally to you? ’Cause let me say, you’re a master at it.”
Colin frowned.
“Since it looks like you’ll be up for a while, does anyone want coffee?” Brooklyn asked to stop them from further brotherly sparring. “I’m sure there will be some in the cupboard, and I can make a pot.”
“Sounds good to me,” Reid said. “I’ll just go drop my bag in our room and give Megan a quick call to let her know I got here fine. Don’t want her to worry.” he pivoted to leave.
“I’ll text Mom,” Dev said.
She watched Colin stare after Reid, a longing in his gaze. Was he wishing he had a wife to call? A family? Or was she just wishing that was what he wanted?
His mother seemed to think he wanted kids, but did she know her son’s desires? She could very well be pinning her own desires on him.
“Brooklyn,” he said. “Is there something wrong?”
“Wrong?”
“You’re staring at me.”
Facepalm. “Oh, right. Sorry. Did you want coffee?”
“Please.”
“Let me drop off my suitcase, and then I’ll get it started.” She reached for the handle.
“I can take your bag to your room.” He slipped his hand under hers, brushing against her.
His touch sent a tingle across her skin. She could hardly think straight. How embarrassing. She was acting like a teenager. She had to stop. Get away from him. Take a beat.
“Oh, okay. Sure. Thanks.” She bolted for the kitchen and started ripping through the cabinets until she located a canister of coffee and filters that fit the pricey-looking coffee maker on the counter.
“I need a snack with my coffee.” Dev came into the kitchen and jerked open the pantry door, putting the open door between them.
Good. He couldn’t see her. She fanned her face and took several deep breaths.
“You okay?” Dev poked his head around the door. “You’re not worried about Tarver finding you here, are you? Because even if he did—and he won’t—he couldn’t get into the building, much less past Colin on the couch.”
“I’m fine.” She lowered her hand. “Really.”
“And then there’s Colin.” He pursed his lips, then turned to stare into the pantry. “I’ve never seen him this cautious and worked up. Me thinks it’s personal. Like he has a thing for you, but as usual, he’s not going to admit it. Not when he’s so busy playing the good son.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He thinks because Mom needs us right now that means his life has to end, and he has to focus everything on her care.” He pulled out a bag of chocolate chip cookies. “He’s always been like that. He attacks everything full-on. No halfway with him.”
Guess that explained his intensity and drive to take care of her. Not that he was interested in her.
She inserted the filter and spooned coffee into it in a quantity she thought would work.
“Let me fill that for you.” Colin returned and reached around her for the pot.
