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He marches up the stairs to my father’s office because he knows better than to start an argument with me in front of my daughter or our mother. So he’s doing what my father often did. Reserve hard conversations for the confines of his office, pretending the things that happen behind those closed doors don’t affect the rest of the world.
“I’ll be right back,” I say lowly as I set my glass of tea on the counter.
My mother gives me a sympathetic expression as I turn and leave. I pass Sage on my way up the stairs, but she forces a tight, uneasy smile, which I can’t bring myself to return.
Before I disappear into my father’s office, I feel a hand on my arm. Turning, I find Dean standing right behind me.
“I’m coming with you,” he says.
“What? No. It’s between my brother and me.”
His demeanor doesn’t falter. “I don’t care. I’m coming with you.”
Accepting that he won’t change his mind, I walk into my father’s office and close the door behind me. Dean is standing so close to me his arm brushes mine as we face Adam, who doesn’t seem to care that I brought someone else into the room.
“Tell me this isn’t happening,” he barks at me. “Tell me you’re not helping our monster of a father get out of this charge. Tell me he’s a fucking liar, Caleb.”
I shove my hands in my pockets and turn to face my brother. I want to tell him that when he acts like this, full of rage and animosity, he looks so much like Truett.
“He’s a liar,” I say calmly.
“What the fuck?!” he shouts.
“Keep your voice down,” I reply.
“Why would he say that? Why the fuck would he think you’re going to help him? He tried to kill the love of my life. He nearly did!”
I see the anger in my brother’s eyes, and I understand it. If it were Briar who had been hurt and any of my brothers dared to even tiptoe to my father’s side, I would lose my mind with rage. So I get it.
But that doesn’t mean I know how to make him feel better.
“Because I met with him,” I say flatly.
Immediately, Adam’s eyes go wide. “Youwhat?”
“I met with him last week. I didn’t tell him I would help him, but I heard him out.”
“Thefuck, Caleb?” Adam shouts.
Luke warned me that Adam wouldn’t want to hear that. But I won’t lie.
“Calm down,” Dean breaks in with the same authoritative tone he used the other night.
“Don’t tell me to calm down,” Adam snaps. “How could you do this, Caleb?”
“I didn’t do anything, Adam!” I argue. “He’s lying, probably to pit us against each other, which is what we’re doing right now. You’re playing right into his hands.”
“Fuck you, Caleb,” Adam shouts, and I notice Dean tensing at my side.
Then, for some reason, I decide to throw an accelerant on the fire. Maybe deep down, I want to see how angry I can get my brother. Maybe I want to see how much of this I can take.
“You do realize,” I start, taking a step toward my brother. “That a lesser charge would be easier to convict and faster to get him into prison.”
Adam’s eyes go wild as he marches toward me. “I know you didn’t just say that to me.”
I’m waiting for our argument to turn into an all-out brawl like it did when we were kids. If he punches me right now, I deserve it. But that doesn’t mean I won’t fight back.
Before he can reach me, a tall figure steps between us. Standing tall and immovable, Dean takes a protective stance in front of me.
