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The house phone rings and I glance over my shoulder before standing up and walking around the couch to grab it off the table, Theo’s number flashes on the screen and I smile.

“Hey, little brother,” I answer, biting back a smile and I’m greeted with a growl.

“Tatum, don’t start shit with me when I’m nine hundred miles away.”

I laugh, walking around the couch and sinking into it. “What are you going to do about it, Theodore?”

“I’ll take time off just to come down there and kick your ass,” he taunts and I throw my head back and laugh.

“Do it. We should have a sparring match like we used to and this time I won’t be afraid to hurt your fragile little face.”

“You’re such a goddamn pain in the ass,” he mutters and I giggle.

“Whatever. You love me. What are you up to?”

“I just got off work. What are you up to?”

“Nothing, really. Just getting ready to watch a movie.”

“Fun. Oh, hey, do you have any idea why my forearm was burning today? It feels like I got a sunburn but there’s nothing on my skin.”

“Shut up.” I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re such a liar.”

We may be able to communicate differently than other people but there’s no way in hell he felt me getting my tattoo today.

“Yeah, you’re right. Lincoln sent me a photo of you getting it done.”

I jerk up, blinking. “Wait a minute. What do you mean Lincoln sent it to you?”

“He texted it to me,” he says like that somehow explains everything when it literally explains nothing.

“You guys are texting?”

“Yeah. I got his number after you told me about him and I gave him the brother talk.”

Groaning, I drop my head into my hands. “No, you did not.”

“Yes.” He laughs. “I did. Don’t worry; he was cool about it.”

“I’m going to block you on his phone the next time I see him,” I warn and he laughs again.

“Don’t do that. Besides, I didn’t get to do the whole brother thing very much lately. Not since high school.”

“Did you feel like it was one of the big things missing from your life?”

“Maybe I did.”

Sighing, I lean back into the couch. “Well, I’m glad I could help your dreams come true.”

“Don’t be a smartass.” He laughs but it quickly turns into a yawn. “So, what did you permanently mark your body with?”

“T squared,” I answer.

“Aw, you got a tattoo for me?” he teases and I wrinkle my nose up.

“Keep it up and I’ll get it covered up with a donkey for you,” I warn and silence greets me.

“A donkey? Why?”