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His mother had died years before, something Tyler and I had in common. His father was in the leather recliner in the living room, seated in front of the television although I’m certain he was sleeping.
Tyler told me his father worked late nights, but I could read between the lines. I knew the type of family the Crosses were. I knew by the way people spoke in hushed voices around them with traces of both fear and intrigue. And I heard the whispers.
There were little clues too. Tyler and his brother Jase were always being handed money under the cafeteria table and making quick exchanges. Certain people avoided them, certain red-eyed and scrawny potheads, to be exact.
It didn’t matter to me.
In fact, I liked that their family was doing some type of business that meant his father would be asleep when I was forced to meet them all. Five boys in the family and Tyler was the youngest.
One less male to have to endure was fine by me. Declan, the middle boy, gave the impression of being disinterested in life in general. Let alone his brother’s girlfriend. He was the first of Tyler’s brothers I met, and even he seemed to be kind, if nothing else.
And that continued as I met his other brothers. They all welcomed me. There was no hidden agenda, no sneers or snide comments about where I was from or what the Brauns did at the local tavern two weeks ago.
That’s one thing people liked to gossip about at school when I first got there. Foster parents aren’t supposed to be drunks. Funny how that type of talk died when Tyler staked his claim on me.
Yet another reason I stayed and gave more and more of myself to a boy who could never have all of me.
It was so obvious that he never would. Especially that first day he brought me home.
The moment I thought I could relax, I met the last brother.
Daniel.
Tyler knocked on the door to his room, tapping out song lyrics and telling him to open up.
I remember exactly the way my polish had chipped on my thumbnail. I’m a nervous picker and I was busy chipping away at it when the door opened.
“What?” The word came out hard and my body stilled. I could feel the anger coming off of him from being interrupted.
He gripped the doorframe, which made his shoulders and height seem that much more intimidating. It was his toned muscles and the dark stubble lining his upper throat and jaw that let me know he was older.
And the heat in his stare as he let his gaze wander to where I stood that let me know I wasn’t welcome.
That was the first time Daniel made me feel the same way I do now.
And the first time I knew I’d never love Tyler the way he deserved.
But I stayed with him. Deep inside I know it’s because a very large part of me wanted Daniel to want me back. I wanted Daniel to want me the way that I instantly wanted him.
CHAPTER4
Daniel
The back door to Iron Heart Brewery is propped open a couple inches with a brick. There’s a small stack of them next to the dumpster and I’ve seen a few of them used for a number of things.
The door creaks open slowly as I take a look to my left and right. It’s pitch black out now and deserted. It’s been four hours since I left. Enough time to pass for me to get my shit together and figure out what it is that I want and how I’m going to handle this.
The entire town is quiet now that everything on Lincoln Street is closed.
I sneak in the back, hearing the clinking of glass around the corner and past the stockroom. The fresh scent of hoppy beer in this place never gets old.
I’ve only been here a couple months and I thought I’d get bored fast. So far there’s not much action or competition. For a college town, it’s surprising. But feeling out this area and waiting on information about future deals for my brother hasn’t been the pain in the ass it usually is.
Other than Jake. He’s not good for a damn thing other than asking for a beer or who comes around here when I’m away. He knows this place is used for drops, but that’s as far as our relationship goes.
Jake’s got his earbuds in, he’s not paying attention in the least. My shoulder leans against the wall closest to the far end of the bar, and just enough so I can see the table where Addison sat earlier today.
I let the memory linger for a moment before speaking loud enough for Jake to hear over the music blaring in his ears.
