His gut twisted.A familiar response anytime he dealt with Travis.Part guilt, part anxiety.He never knew what mood Travis would be in—only that it wouldn’t quite be a good one.
“Yeah.What’s up?”he answered, grinding his teeth.
“Gage is sending you the reservations now.We’re about an hour out.I’ll let you know when we get there.”
Straight to the point.Shouldn’t surprise him in the least.
“We’re probably half an hour behind you,” Brantley told his cousin.“But Atticus and Archer are ahead of you.”
“Perfect.And Simon?”
“He was gonna ride with us, but decided to fly up there in case he needed to head back tonight.Harold’s MIA.”
“Harold’s always MIA,” Travis said, sounding bored.
True.
“We’ll see you when we see you,” Travis said before disconnecting.
Brantley glanced at the phone screen, shaking his head.And people said he lacked social skills.
A few seconds later, his phone chimed, signaling an incoming text.He checked the screen, confirmed it was from Gage, then shot the message off to Atticus, Archer, and Simon so they would have the details for check-in.
He found Reese and Tesha along the back wall where the drinks were kept in large refrigerators.
“Water or Ghost?”Reese asked as he approached.
Hmm.Good question.Water was probably the better choice, but an energy drink would help more.
“Both,” he answered easily.He needed the caffeine if he was expected to deal with Travis and engage with Max Adorite later.They were both on his shit list, but for different reasons.
Reese grabbed several bottles and cans, passing them off to Brantley.
“Did you get—”
“Brisket sandwich and fudge,” Reese filled in.
“Did I mention how much I love you?”
“Not today, you haven’t.”
“I could serenade you right here in the middle of the store if you’d like.”
Reese’s cheeks turned pink as he muttered, “Don’t you dare.”
Brantley grinned.
Fifteen minutes later, after Brantley had downed his sandwich and Tesha got water and another bathroom break, they were back on the road.Tesha was asleep in her seat, curled up with a blanket that Reese had bought her specifically for road trips.
“JJ messaged a little while ago,” Reese said, positioning things in the cupholders to his liking.
“And?”
“They don’t have anything yet, but she’s lookin’ into the doctor.”
Good.Brantley wanted to know every fucking thing there was to know about that man.If there were even a smidge of proof that Kylie was alive, he would be a damn fine starting point.Since he signed off on her death certificate, he would be the first one to know whether she’d been breathing when he put pen to paper.
And if she was, God help him as soon as Travis or Gage found out.
