“So you’re okay with it?” Stone asked, watching Ethan’s expression closely. “With them giving me the land?”
“I damn sure don’t want it,” he countered. “Hell, I’m tryin’ to convince Autumn to become a partner in the demo company.”
“She’s suggested more than once for him to take over,” Beau explained. “From a management position.”
“Nope.” Ethan shook his head. “I’m a mechanic. I put in my ten hours and come home to my husband and kids. Where I prefer to be.”
“He preferred it when I worked with him,” Beau said, his eyes never leaving Ethan’s face.
Ethan didn’t bother denying it.
“Maybe one day I’ll be back there,” Beau said, glancing at Stone. “The kids’ll start kindergarten soon. I won’t know what to do with myself all alone in this house.”
Stone was watching Ethan, so he saw the spark of hope that ignited.
He got it because the thought of working alongside Nico and Stevie every day caused warmth to churn in his chest, too.
“We’re good with it, by the way,” Ethan said. “With you takin’ the land. At least it’ll be in good hands.”
“Thanks. I won’t let Aunt Lorrie and Uncle Curtis down.”
“They know that; otherwise, they wouldn’t’ve made you the offer. Which is whyweknow that.”
Stone took a pull on his beer, hoping it would wash down the lump that formed in his throat. That sentiment meant more to him than he expected.
Thirty-Six
Friday, February 16, 2024
“And that’s where I’m at,” Stone finished, watching his parents, waiting for someone to say something.
He’d spent the past half hour laying out the proposal he would present to his aunt and uncle while his mom, dad, CJ, Donovan, Brady, and Reilly listened on with interest. The only person missing from the table was Tate because he was on shift. Or rather, he was the only regular attendee since Chelsea and Paul weren’t close enough to have dinner on a weekly basis.
“Sounds to me like you’ve got it all figured out,” his father said. “Now you just need to present it to Curtis and Lorrie.”
Stone exhaled heavily. “I still need to talk to Zane.”
His mother frowned. “Why haven’t you?”
“He won’t take my calls.”
“Then track him down,” Donovan said as though it was that simple.
“Looks like I’m gonna have to,” he told his brother in order to avoid an argument. He didn’t want to admit that he was frustrated to the point of exhaustion. His two weeks were now up, so he had to sit down with his aunt and uncle, and he was ready to do that without Zane’s blessing. As far as he was concerned, his cousin was being a dick.
“Why’s he avoidin’ you?” Brady asked.
“Hell if I know.”
“He has to have a reason,” Reilly noted. “Zane’s as cool as they come. I think D’s right. You need to track him down. Find out what his issue is.”
Stone never expected the voice of reason to come from his sister.
“So?” Reilly stared directly at him. “Are we done talkin’ about you?”
He choked on a laugh because he should’ve known she was merely trying to tie his conversation up in a neat little bow so she could move on to more important things.
Stone waved a hand over the table. “The floor’s all yours.”
