“Us?” Mav pointed at his chest.
I shot him an annoyed glance. “Notyou, nigga. Angel. And Mehki.”
Hunter grinned. “What?”
Smirking, Dom said, “About time you came to your senses. They’re good for you.”
“I know that. That’s why I’m moving. I also talked to Dad.” The call to my father wasn’t long. I’d simply told him that I was moving back home and would start at Prescott Holdings in September. “Before you get too excited, I’m not making any promises. I’m still very invested in Prescott-Hayes Construction. I spent a lot of years building that company, and I’m not willing to walk away from it completely.”
Hunter told me he understood. “At least, it’s a start.”
“Granddad’s death changed everything for me,” I admitted. In hindsight, I thoughtheknew it would.
I glanced at each of my brothers, recognizing the sadness in all of their eyes. Granddad had a different relationship with each of us. His absence would be felt forever. It didn’t surprise me that his final wish for me had led me to realizemywish for myself. Restoring Louse Fox’s home restored my faith, my heart. And I wouldn’t walk away from it. Icouldn’tif I tried.
I stood. “I know y’all just flew here and everything to check on me, but I have to get on the road. I’m on a schedule.”
Hunter laughed.
“So you’re just going to let us come all the way here and not even feed us?” Mav asked. “Who does that?”
“Me,” I said, matter-of-factly.
Dom slid off the couch and walked over to me. Clasping my shoulder, he said, “You did good. Angel is beautiful. I hope she takes your ass back. We don’t need another repeat of the post-Ryleigh years. You’re too old to be sad and pitiful.”
I laughed, shoving him. “Get the hell away from me, man.”
Hunter chuckled. “I still can’t believe you thought you were being slick about that.”
Surprised, I asked my twin, “You knew too, man?”
Nodding, Hunter shrugged. “Everybody knew, bruh. Like I said, you ain’t slick.”
Maverick emerged from the kitchen, sipping a bottle of water. I hadn’t even realized he’d walked out of the room. “You really don’t haveanyfood.”
“You know what?” I grabbed my phone and my wallet. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
“Finally,” Mav said. “Your treat.”
A couple of hours later, I said goodbye to my brothers, packed up my truck, and got on the road. On the way out of town, I made one more stop.
“Coop!” Dallas smacked me. “I said I would kick your ass on sight, but I’m too happy you’re not dead from alcohol poisoning.”
Preston gave me a dap. “I’m glad you came by, man. I was tired of the interrogation.”
Preston was the only person who’d known of my plan to move. And only because I had to tell him because of our business. “Thanks for not telling my business.” I looked at Dallas, then back at Preston. Then, back at Dallas. “What are you doing at Dallas’ house anyway?”
“Leaving,” Dallas said, pushing Preston out of the door.
“Right,” I said. There was definitely more to the story, but I didn’t have time to find out. “Listen, I can’t stay. But I wanted to tell you in person. I’m moving to Rosewood Heights. Tonight.”
Her eyes widened. “Because you’re in love with Angel.”
“Yes,” I grumbled.
“I knew it!” Dallas hugged me, then she smacked me again. “That’s for planning a move to whole ‘nother state without telling me. You’re lucky Charleston is a short flight away. Punk.”
I smiled, pulling my friend into a hug. “Thank you, Dallas. You were right.”
