“Look, I don’t have it in me to listen to your shit right now,” Logan growled roughly.
“Well, I don’t have it in me to be the voice of reason,” Luke countered. “That’s your job, brother, so we’re even.”
A heavy exhale sounded. “I’ve got enough shit on my mind, Luke. I don’t need you harping on me. Say your fucking piece so I can get on with it.”
Luke could hear the wariness of his brother’s tone. Had he ever heard Logan so distraught?
It was enough to sober him somewhat. “Is everything all right?”
“No, goddammit, it’s not. But that’s not your business.”
The storm stopped churning inside him as though he’d prepared his whole life for the one time when his brother might need him to be reasonable and considerate. Logan was the solid one, the guy everyone could lean on when they needed to bend an ear. Not that Luke had ever done much leaning, but he’d always known his brother would be there for him if and when it came down to it.
Which meant Sierra had been right in suggesting he go after him, and now Luke had to be the strong one. The one with the right words that would coax the problem out so he could fix it.
“Fair enough,” Luke conceded. “But when you’re ready to talk, you’ll call me?”
Okay, so he wasn’t going to take the plunge all at once. That was just stupid.
“Yeah.” Logan sighed. “Sure. I gotta go, Luke.”
He didn’t bother trying to keep the man on the phone. Something had crawled up Logan’s ass, and he obviously wasn’t interested in sharing the details, which meant Luke had to suck it up and go after him. It was part of the role of being Logan’s twin, not to mention his best friend.
Luke tucked his phone back in his pocket and turned to see Sierra standing by the house, her eyebrows low, face scrunched with worry.
“Did you talk to him?” Her tone was far calmer than when she’d barked at him earlier.
“I did.” He moved toward her, put his hands on her shoulders, and pulled her closer. “Heisin Chicago.”
“So you’re going to get him?”
Luke peered down at his wife. He loved her with everything he was, which was the only reason he was willing to make an impromptu trip to talk to his brother. He seriously doubted Logan was going to break down and share his gooey, mushy feelings, but the least he could do was try.
“If it’ll make you feel better, then yes. I’ll go up there to talk to him.”
She sighed, leaning into him. “I’ll tell Sam. She’ll be relieved.”
“No,” he insisted, pulling back to stare down into her face. “We have no idea what’s going on between them, and it’s not my place to get in the middle of it.” He lifted his chin, cutting her off before she could argue. “I said I’d go, and I will. But only to talk to him. Let them work this out between them. You don’t need to get in the middle of it, either.”
“She’s my best friend.”
“I understand that.”
“And Logan’s gone and lost his mind.”
Luke wondered how many people had thought that about him back when he’d been confused about what he wanted from Cole. Regardless, he didn’t want Sam blowing up his phone because she knew he would have Logan’s attention once he arrived.
“Keep it to yourself for now,” he told her.
The look she gave him was one he was familiar with. He knew the instant he was out the door, Sierra would be on the phone with Sam, filling her in on every detail right down to how much iced tea he’d poured into his glass during their conversation earlier.
Cole opened the back door, peered over at them. “Everything cool?”
He knew the man was asking about Logan, so he nodded in response. “I’m gonna go to Chicago. See if I can talk to him.”
Cole stood up straight. “Want me to go with you?”
Luke had considered it. He wouldn’t mind the company, and he enjoyed any time he spent with either of them alone. However, this wasn’t one of those times when he thought it wise to have more eyes on the situation.
