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When I showed her the photos once we got back from Elmhurst, she laughed. Most of them were blurred, but this one was clear, and I love it. In it, she’s staring down at me with the sweetest smile, and I’m looking up at her as if she is my whole world.
“That,” Marcus plucks it out of Cal’s hand and gives it back to me, “is none of our business.”
Cal and I stare at one another, as Jake strolls into the room. “Oh hey brother, you’re back. Coming to the store with us?”
“Cruz is coveting his sister,” Cal says accusingly like a kid ratting out their sibling to mom and dad.
Jake looks at the picture in my hand and laughs. “Because he has a picture of Ellery in his wallet? Bit of a reach, don’t you think?”
“Oh come on. You’re not serious?”
“About?” Jake arches a brow.
“What’s going on with Cruz and his sister?”
“Step,” he corrects.
Jake knew what was going on with Ellery and me, but I hadn’t said anything to Marcus yet. To be honest, a part of me didn’t think I had to; something telling me he’d known since the day I showed them the Butler beach house, and reacted the way I did when Cal commented on Ellery’s picture. Given the way he’s looking at me right now, I was right. He knows.
“Fine,” I admit. May as well tell them. Who better than my brothers, right? “We’re together. Okay?”
“Wow,” Cal shakes his head. “That takes cajónes man. Steel ones at that.”
“What does?” I tilt my head, curious.
“Well, first, your old man marries the mom, then you make a play for the daughter. Well done, brother. Well done.”
“Well done?” I look at Jake and Marcus then turn back to Cal. “What the hell are you talking about?”
He rubs his fingers together, flashing me the universal sign for money. “One day it will all be hers, right?”
“Man…” I wave a hand and start to leave. “I don’t need to listen to this shit.”
“Cruz, wait.” Jake stops me. “Cal you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
“Oh no?”
“No,” Jake laughs.
“Jake, don’t.” He doesn’t need to play referee in yet anotherone of Cal’s bullshit moments. “It’s not worth it.”
“No, brother. I got you. He needs to hear this.”
“I need to hear what?” Cal crosses his arms.
“Cruz doesn’t need their money, dick. He’s got his own.”
“Right,” Cal laughs. “That allowance his stepmom sends.”
“No asshole,” Jake shoots back. “His own.”
Cal looks from Jake to me. “What money?”
“Doesn’t matter,” I shake my head.
Cal flicks his eyes from me to Jake. “You two keep secrets now? This part of that little pitcher catcher bond thing? Or better yet, are you two swapping secrets when he’s biting the pillow and you’re giving it to him?”
“Cal!” Marcus shouts and the three of us turn. “Shut the fuck up!”
