Page 163
Rather than coming back with one of his usual, sarcastic quips, Blake studied him.
“You know, I never actually thanked you.”
Draven frowned. “For what?”
“For being there when everything went sideways. Especially after Devon was taken.”
Ah, that.
“Blake, you don’t have to—”
“No, hear me out.” His friend paused. “I wasn’t exactly thinking straight back then, and you were the only one who kept reminding me I needed to trust the team.”
He hadn’t said it in those words, exactly, but—
“That’s what brothers do.”
“Yeah.” Blake nodded. “It is.”
He extended his hand. Draven looked at it for half a second before shaking his head.
“Oh, hell no.” He stepped forward and pulled Blake into a tight hug.
Blake chuckled, returning the friendly embrace. “Love you, brother.”
“Love you, too, man.” Draven gave him a couple pats on the shoulder. “Now go enjoy your wedding.”
Blake took another sip of his beer. “You know, I hope you get this someday, too.”
Draven raised a brow. “A backyard full of people eating a bunch of overpriced cake?”
“Someone who makes you as happy as Devon makes me.” Blake grinned.
Draven looked across the patio. “Pretty sure women like her are in short supply.”
“Not necessarily. Sometimes they show up when you least expect them.”
He met his friend’s hopeful gaze once more. “You know, if this whole private security thing doesn’t work out, you could always design greeting cards.”
“Hey.” Blake pretended to scowl. “I’m a married man now. I’m allowed to be sentimental.”
Draven laughed, but Blake’s words seemed to linger. There’d been a time when he’d wanted exactly what his friends had found.
A woman to come home to. Someone who knew him better than anyone else. A future built around more than work and the occasional night out with friends.
He’d even thought he’d found that person once. A long time ago.
But life hadn’t worked out the way he’d imagined, and he’d learned that some things were better left in the past.
Blake glanced toward Devon. “Speaking of my wife, I think she’s looking for me.”
When he looked over, he saw Devon standing with Janie, smiling as she motioned for Blake to join them.
“Better get over there before she changes her mind.”
His friend grinned. “Not a chance, brother.”
Draven laughed. “Go on, Savage. Go kiss your wife.”
