“Fuck,” Stone huffed. “What the hell’re you thinkin’, man?”
“It’s not what it looks like, Stone. I swear—”
“Then what is it?”
“Me and Jamie … it’s…” He exhaled roughly and tipped his head back, staring up at the sky. “It’s not what it appears.”
Stone tried to process what he was saying, but it didn’t make sense.
“Okay,” he drawled when CJ didn’t explain.
But that wasn’t enough to prompt his brother.
“CJ?”
“I wish I could tell you, but I can’t.”
“Does Tara know?”
“Yes.”
Well, that made him feel a little better. Not much, but a little. He didn’t want to think his brother was a cheater. There were a lot of things he could tolerate, but he’d always been of the mind that you love the one you’re with. And if you want to be with someone else, end things. It was the only fair thing to do. For all parties.
“All right then,” Stone said, standing tall. “I guess it’s your life to do with as you see fit. Just…” He looked at the building. “Just don’t break any hearts, okay?”
“Trust me when I tell you, that’s not gonna happen.”
Stone did trust CJ. He was a stand-up guy. Always had been. He was a giant pain in Stone’s ass a lot of the time, but he was a good guy.
“Maybe next weekend we could get together,” Stone told him, turning around when he heard the soft rumble of an engine.
“For?” CJ stared out at the car approaching.
“I’ve ordered supplies to build the first greenhouse. Thought maybe you’d help out. If you don’t have a shift.”
“I can do that.” CJ nodded his chin toward the car as it parked. “You know this person?”
“I do not.” Since it was Friday, Stone knew the office wasn’t open. Didn’t mean they didn’t get people who stumbled across the place and pulled in to check them out.
“I think I’m gonna head out,” CJ noted. “I’ll see you next weekend.”
“If not before,” Stone threatened, watching as his brother walked toward his truck.
“Y’all get that straightened out?” Nico asked, coming out to join him on the deck. Hearing Nico’s voice, Jäger raced up the steps, nearly nose-planting into Nico’s leg for attention.
Before Stone could respond, Nico mumbled something under his breath.
“Are y’all ready to get—” Stevie’s words cut off abruptly. “Oh, my God.”
“You sure are sayin’ that a lot today,” Stone told her. “And not in the way I like to hear.”
Stevie planted her hands on her hips and marched past them, down the steps, and right up to the car where a guy was getting out. He had a huge grin plastered on his face as she approached.
“Hey,” the guy greeted. “You look good, baby.”
“Donotcall me that,” Stevie snapped, stabbing a finger in the guy’s direction.
Stone cocked an eyebrow and looked at Nico. “Who the fuck is that?”
