“Carter.” Cody inhaled, then slowly released it, watching the brothers stare at each other. “How is Toni?”
Carter raised his eyebrows. “How is Toni? That’s all you have to say? You’ve been gone for four years. Where the fuck have you been?”
“Well, according to dear old dad here, I should never have returned.”
“What the fuck is your problem? Cody is back! Your son! The one you thought was dead.”
“Cody is exaggerating like he always did.”
“You’d like that to be true, wouldn’t you? I’m back, Carter. For good. I’m staying with TJ if you need to speak to me.” Cody left and walked around the side of the building, then toward the drive. He didn’t make it far before he heard his name.
“Cody, wait!” Cassie flung herself into his arms and held on tight. “If you leave again, take me with you.”
Cody looked at her, really looked, seeing the woman she was growing into. No longer that kid who annoyed him for being so perfect and loved and wanted. “I’m here to stay. I’m living with TJ, so if you ever want to come over, that’s where I’ll be.”
“You’re really staying? You’re not going to run away again?”
“No. I’m back for good.” Cody tucked a strand of Cassie’s black hair behind her ear, seeing how they had the same color. “You’ve grown.”
“So have you. When did you get so big?” Cassie squeezed his arms and grinned. “Any nice men at the gym? When did you get back?”
“I’m not at a gym. I work out at home, and I’ve been back about a week. I needed to figure things out before I came here.”
Cassie sniffed and stepped out of Cody’s arms. “I missed you. I had to put up with him on my own. He’s such a bastard.” She sniffed again and tilted her nose up. “Cassandra. Hold your head up when you walk. No slouching. Mr. So-and-so is coming over and you will behave. You carry the Paarman name.” She stopped imitating Cass and glanced at Cody. “I hated you when you left, but I was scared, too.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t in a good place when I ran away, but I’m better now and I’m not going away anytime soon. Well, unless TJ wants to.”
“Ah TJ. I knew you had a crush on him. You have good taste in men.”
“Cassandra! Get in here, now!”
“Fucker,” Cassie muttered. “When I can escape, I’ll come over and see you.” She hugged Cody again and ran back to the house, right past Cass, who stared at him from the front door, then slammed it shut.
Cody sighed and walked away. At least he’d done it, and he didn’t have to come back again. “Cody! Wait up!”
Carter ran up to him and grabbed him by the arms, grinned and hugged him. “Fuck. Cody. I’m so glad you're safe and alive, and Jesus, kid, what have you been eating while you’ve been gone?”
Cody grinned and hugged Carter back. “I figured shit out.”
“Is that what you’re calling it? Where are you staying? Is this a visit, or are you here for good?”
“I’m here to stay, and I’m with TJ.” Cody stepped back and watched Carter.
“You’re staying with TJ for now? He should have said something to us.”
Cody paused, deciding what to say. He didn’t want to say anything about him and TJ when things were still new between them and he knew TJ still had issues, but he also didn’t want to lie about them. “I’m not staying with TJ. I’m living with him.” He watched Carter digest the information, a frown developing.
“Living with him. You and TJ? You ran away. You’ve been gone for over four years. We thought you were dead, and you come back and move in with TJ? Are you two involved? He’s far too old for you and he’s family. What the fuck is going on?”
“You need to back off with that shit. I’m not a kid anymore. I get to make decisions about my life and who I want in it. I only came here to let Cass know I’m back, and that’s it. I want nothing to do with him and I have no problem including you in that. You want to be part of my life, then respect my decisions, and that includes who I have a relationship with.”
Carter’s eyes narrowed. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?”
“The man who never protected me from his brother. That’s who. You had to know what he had planned for me, and you did nothing. Fuck you, Carter.” Cody turned away, but Carter grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
“What are you talking about? What plans?”
Cody stared at Carter, seeing the confusion on his face. Maybe he didn’t know. “You really don’t know?”
