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“He mentioned something.”
“Do you have any idea what Whisper’s after?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Teller slowly turn his head and stare at me. “How should I know?”
“Chill. Thought maybe Charlotte had been in touch with her uncle or something.”
“Last we knew, Merlin was on the road. He went Nomad, so I doubt he has any idea what Whisper’s up to with the local charter.”
“All right. Calm down.”
“I ever find out Merlin tried to contact Charlotte; you’ll be helping me bury his body.”
“Easy, Mr. Murder, it was just a question.” We’re silent for a few minutes. “I’m taking Heidi to keep it casual and friendly. Will you and Charlotte come with?”
Another exasperated snort. “You really have to ask? Of course, I’ll be there.”
He’s quiet for a few more minutes. “Even though the driveway’s paved now, might be a bitch getting the Charger up to the property clubhouse in the winter.”
“Yeah, I thought of that. Planning to keep her car for now. Maybe get her a Jeep or something closer to Christmas.”
“Christ, you’re gonna make me look bad with Charlotte.”
“Not my fault you’re not more thoughtful and creative.”
“She thought that Raptor was pretty damn creative and practical.” He smirks at me, then dials down the assholery. “Seriously, though, I have the garage space, so if you want to store it at my place in the winter, it’s no problem.”
“Thanks, brother.”
We end up at a big-box hardware store. I have a short list of stuff, and Teller helps me load up the cart. As we’re checking out, a stubby ball-peen hammer catches my eye, and I add it to my pile. Bright purple and green rubber make up the handle and the shiny steel head is heavy and sturdy enough to do some damage.
“What is that?” Teller asks. “Toddler’s first tool?”
“You’re a tool. It’s for Heidi.”
He stares at me.
“She carried my hammer down in Texas for protection.”
“It’s purple.”
“Congratulations, you’re not color blind.” I heft the weight of it in my hands. “It’s actually pretty heavy. Will fit right in her purse.”
“Sexy present.” He rolls his eyes. “What a romantic.”
“Don’t worry, I give my girl plenty of romance.”
He groans.
Once we have the truck loaded up, I hesitate to start the engine. Instead, I turn, so I’m half-facing Teller.
“Are you trying to make out with me?” he asks.
“Yes, I thought the Home Depot parking lot would be the perfect place to finally make my move after all these years.” I glare at him, waiting to see what other smartass remarks he has for me. “Can you not be a dick for one minute?”
He scratches the side of his head. “I can try. But no promises.”
I grit my teeth and force out my question. “Are you going to be my best man?”
“Are you asking?”
“Will you be my best man?”
“Who else would you ask?”
“Well…”
“Figured it was a done deal.”
“Arrogant much?” I shrug. “Heidi asked Rock to give her away.”
Teller swallows hard and looks out the front window. “Yeah, he mentioned it.”
“Really?”
“She is my sister.”
“Is that what you two were talking about this morning?”
He still won’t meet my eyes. “Yeah, sort of,” he answers with an evasiveness Teller doesn’t usually use on me.
Something about the moment or the timing seems off, and I decide not to push him.
He shakes off the mood. “You’re not going to make me wear a suit, are you?”
“I think Heidi has tuxes in mind.” Actually, Heidi hasn’t voiced a lot of opinions about what she wants me or anyone else to wear, but I can’t resist fucking with Teller.
“For fuck’s sake,” he mutters.
“Like Charlotte won’t want you in a tux at your own wedding.”
One corner of his mouth lifts. “Nah, she was really into Lilly and Z’s elopement idea.”
“Don’t you dare. Heidi will kill you.”
His smirk vanishes. “As appealing as it is, I couldn’t do it without our family there, you know? Z and Lilly are older.”
“Say that to Z’s face, please.”
“I mean they had a lot of other issues going on. Eloping made sense for them. I want you at my wedding—that’s your invitation to be my best man, in case you’re wondering. Charlotte and Carter are tight. She’ll want him at her wedding.” He rolls his eyes. “Unfortunately.”
“You love that crazy kid. He’s the little brother you never had.”
“No, that’d be you.”
For some reason, I’ve had it with the little brother bullshit today. “How am I going to be your VP if you still think of me as your little brother?”
He stares at me as if it’s a ridiculous question. “Is that why you don’t want the patch?”
“I never said I didn’t want it.”
“You’re always going to be younger than me.”
“And better looking.”
“Don’t get crazy.” He runs his hand over the back of his neck. “You wanna get touchy-feely right now?”
I just stare at him.
“Fine. Yeah, you’re always gonna be my little bro, but there’s no one I trust more than you to have my back. You’re a fuck of a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for. You’ve got more courage than ninety-nine percent of men out there. A few of those situations downstate coulda been deadly, but you never backed down from what was right. Got your ass thrown in jail just to watch Z’s back. Even though you’re not as free with your opinions as I am, you don’t miss a damn thing.”
That was a whole lot of words to come out of Teller’s mouth.
He blows out a breath. “Fuck yeah, you’ll be a good VP. I couldn’t second Z’s motion fast enough, brother.”
And here I am, blindsided for the second time today.
Five
Heidi
Alexa snoozes most of the way home. My earlier melancholy from my trip to the cemetery returns. I couldn’t talk to Dawn about it. I don’t think she’d understand. Hell, I barely understand myself.
“Ponies!” Alexa’s shout startles me from my thoughts, and my gaze shoots to the right.
“You woke up for ponies, huh? Want to stop and say hello?” I ask, already flipping on my blinker. Her answer will always be “yes” to ponies.
“Yes!”
The “ponies” at Picking Ladder Farms’ tiny petting zoo are actually two American Miniature Horses named Lilac and Rancher. The farm also has an Alpaca who tried to lick Alexa’s face once, and a peacock. After giving the Alpaca the stink-eye, Alexa shakes her head at the pellets one of the attendants tries to pour into her hand. She’s not giving the Alpaca another shot at slurping all over her no matter what.
Today, she’s fascinated by the peacock and watches him preen around the enclosure.
“Mommy!” She presses her fingers against the fence and points.
“Pretty, right?”
“I want.”
I chuckle, imagining a peacock will be the next addition to Marcel’s growing little farm once he hears about Alexa’s fascination with them. “No, he stays here.”
She tips her head back and pouts at me.
“This is his home. All his friends are here.”
She glances back at the birds and scrunches her little nose at the Alpaca. “Even dat one?”
“Even him.”
Her lips purse. Countdown to hissyfit in three-two…
“Do you want to help me pick up some apple cider donuts for Daddy?”
“Yes!”
Phew. Meltdown averted.
After a quick, vigorous handwashing, we end up with two boxes of freshly-baked apple c
ider donuts.
“How about some apples, too? We can make applesauce with Auntie Hope.”
