Nox
That’s notlike you, Kenny.
Gideon
Come to think of it, you have been acting a little weird lately.
Nox
Weird how?
I haven’t. I’m just tired. Overworked. I desperately need this holiday.
Nox
WEIRD HOW!!?
Gideon
You’d know if you bothered to show up for family events.
Gideon never missed the opportunity to take potshots at Nox.
Cade
Gideon is right, Kenny. You looked on the verge of tears at Christmas. And then you left early.
Tired.
Gideon
Bullshit!
Cade
Agreed.
Nox
On the verge of tears? Kenny,what’s wrong?
Nothing. It was just my allergies.
Kenny shook her head. Why was she lying? Why did she always do this? Hide the truth? Hide her feelings?
Her brothers loved her.
I’m sorry. You’re right. I was upset at Christmas. Smith left me.
Gideon
He did what?!!! How the fuck dare he?
The chat call line buzzed. Cade wanted to conference. Gideon immediately joined. A second later, Nox did as well.
Kenny dropped her face into her palm and groaned before lifting the phone and answering. Her brothers all had varying degrees of fury and concern on their faces.
Nox was sporting a full beard and a dark tan and Kenny’s eyes widened for a second. It had been a while since she’d seen her middle brother in person. His black, bushy beard was even longer and more unkempt than the last time he’d bothered to show up to one of their gatherings.
