Page 40 of Saved By the Pitcher

James smiled. “I’m sure we’ll be paying more than you paid for it, or you wouldn’t be agreeing to my offer. And if the price we’re paying is a steal, then you shouldn’t mind my appraisal conditions.”

“I know a guy who can do the appraisal…” the older man suggested.

“So do I,” James cut in, not trusting a reference from the owner. “I’ll be sure to bring along his credentials and the name of his reputable jewelry store with the appraisal, should it be necessary.”

“It won’t be, unless the guy who sold it to me swindled me,” the shop owner replied.

Once they had the ring and note in hand, James exited with Billy, smiling at his brother’s exuberance.

“I would never have thought to ask for that big of a discount on something that seemed so reasonable already,” Billy admitted.

“Well, not to be a kill-joy, but we do need to get it appraised to make sure that we still didn’t overpay.”

“It looks pretty, though, doesn’t it?” Billy asked, popping open the box to take another look as they were walking.

“Close that,” James ordered. “You’re begging for trouble.”

Billy sighed and put the ring box in his front pants pocket. “I hope she says yes.”

“Of course, she will,” James assured him, trying to slow his pace a bit so his much shorter brother didn’t have to jog to keep up. “You two were made for each other.”

His brother grinned and nodded. “I know. I think you and Mike are, too. Did you enjoy your Sunday with him?”

James started glancing at store window-fronts, nodding an assent without eye contact. “Sure.”

Billy grabbed his arm, forcing James to look at him. “What happened?”

James jerked his head back and gave his brother a quizzical look. “Nothing. Why?”

Billy shook his head. “After all these years, you still think I can’t tell when you’re withholding something? Why aren’t you gushing? God, please tell me it isn’t because you two didn’t fuck. Maybe he’s just following my advice to get to know you first.”

“Jesus,” James chastised, resuming their walking. “Can you try to remember we’re on a public street?”

Billy grabbed James’ arm once more and before he could object, Billy started to drag him across the avenue to an empty bus-stop bench. “Come on. I’m not walking any farther until you tell me what happened.”

Once they sat, James frowned and stared off at the graffiti-covered metal doors that were closed over some of the defunct store-fronts. “You’re a pain.”

Billy shrugged. “Uh huh. So, what’s wrong? Is he moving too slow for your taste?”

James scowled at his sibling. “You know, I’m tiring of your man-whore implications.” He huffed, then looked back at the steel doors. “And what makes you think we didn’t fuck? Not that it’s any of your business, but we did.”

“Oh.” Billy paused and absorbed the information, obviously worrying James would repeat his pattern of being a hit-and-run lover. “So, you fucked. It wasn’t good?”

James rested his elbow on the arm of the bench, then rested his chin on his fist, looking away from his brother. “It was good.”

“So, why aren’t you happy? You still like him, don’t you? Please tell me you aren’t thinking of dumping him now that you two got together.”

James quirked his head and pursed his lips. “It can’t go anywhere.”

“Why not?”

James’ eyes burned into his brother. “You know damn well why.”

Billy huffed and ripped a hand through his hair. “James, stop letting Dad control you!”

The sudden anger James felt had the blood pressing against the vein in his forehead. He was tired of people criticizing his fear of his father. They hadn’t experienced his wrath as James had. He bolted from the bench and started his way back across the street with Billy scrambling behind him. James picked up the pace. He knew Billy would have to run to catch him, and he was thankful when his brother didn’t try. James wanted time away from everyone trying to pressure him into something he knew would lead to disaster.

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