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“I got it.” Heavenly hurried to the door and pulled it open.
“We gotta make one more trip,” Connor announced as he and Jack each dumped two large suitcases in the tiled entryway.
“Hold up a sec. Let me introduce you two clowns, then I’ll help you haul in the rest.” Seth waved his brothers into the room.
Zach, a few years older, eyed the twins, as if sizing them up.
“Jack, Connor, this is Zach.” Seth forced a smile, hoping this shit didn’t blow up in his face. “Zach, these are my boneheaded brothers Jack and Connor.”
As the trio shook hands, Zach scowled. “How am I supposed to tell who is who?”
“I’m Jack.” He pointed to himself. “I’m the nice one. Connor is the asshole.”
“Fuck you,” Connor groused. “We both know I’m the one with the bigger dick.”
At Heavenly’s soft giggle, Seth scowled. “Hey. Knock it off. There’s a lady present.”
“Sorry,” Connor mumbled. “In all seriousness, Zach, don’t worry about telling us apart. People have called us by the wrong name our whole lives. We’re used to it.”
“Okay.” Zach’s expression softened with visible relief.
“Let’s go get the rest of your luggage, boys,” Seth prompted. He really was trying to get used to being around Zach…but Beck’s brother made him anxious.
As he herded the twins out the door, he glanced over his shoulder to find Heavenly sinking beside Zach on the sectional, focused on the game show.
When he stepped outside, Seth dragged in a deep breath and slowly released it.
“Hey, um…is there something wrong with Zach?” Jack asked as the three strolled toward the parking lot.
That didn’t take long. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”
“He’s quiet. Like, he’s upset or…I don’t know. Something.”
“Have either of you seen the coverage on the news about the FBI busting up a cult in a place called Messiah City?”
“I think I saw something about it on TikTok.” But Jack didn’t look convinced.
Connor elbowed him. “Yeah, it was on the TV while we were packing.”
“Zach is Zacharias Kimball, the guy who helped orchestrate the FBI raid after the cult killed his wife and daughter.”
Jack gaped. “Are you shitting me?”
“No.” Seth paused and sent them both a warning glare. “I don’t want either of you bringing it up. Understand? He’s mourning, not only the loss of his family but the only way of life he’s ever known. He doesn’t understand how the real world works, so don’t be assholes. I need you to act like considerate, responsible adults. Be respectful of what he’s going through. That means my apartment will not be party central. No acting like frat boys. No keggers. No booze. No hookups. No pussy in the apartment.”
“C’mon, man.” Jack huffed. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Seriously?” Connor chimed in. “No booze? No beer? No banging?”
“None,” Seth bit out. “The rules of my apartment are the same as Mom’s rules back home. If you want to party and get laid, do it somewhere else. Understand?”
Jack heaved an infinitely disappointed sigh. “We get it. We promise not to mess with Zach. The poor man is probably messed up enough.”
“He is,” Seth put in.
And every time I see him, all I see is my past. So clearly, I am, too.
