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“You’re always right there with him on the hypocrisy behind the pulpit. Now you’re looking at your phone… Are yousmiling?” His hazel eyes hold a playful challenge.
Adam has the same square jaw and dark brow as the rest of us, but his easy nature makes him approachable. The tips of his too-long, light brown hair are gold from all the time he spends surfing, and he likes to joke around and tussle.
Normally, I’d join Alex in pushing back on the spiritual nonsense. Adam turned God to after Dad died, and it’s caused a friendly split in our approach to things ever since. Tonight, however, I’m feeling more generous. The tight, angry-at-the-world fist in my chest has relaxed.
“You got laid.” Adam snaps his finger, pointing at me.
“What the fuck?” Alex sets the bottle down, and I straighten, taking a step back.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Adam starts to laugh. “Fucking liar. Who is she?”
“You’re going to make a shit pastor if you don’t clean up that mouth.” My tone is sharp.
I’m doing my best to put up distractions, but it’s not working. They’re closing in on me, and I’ll have to confess or leave.
“It’s Britt.” Alex arches an eyebrow, and my jaw tightens. “Fuck me, of course! It’s Britt Bailey. That’s why you were hulking over her like a fucking ape at Mom’s house.”
“I wasn’t hulking over her.” Anger burns in my neck.
“Yeah, that. Right there.” He circles his finger at my face. “I felt that fury when we were talking about the tickle fights and tequila shots.”
“Whoa, how did I miss that conversation?” Adam laughs.
“You were ready to throw her over your shoulder and drag her back to your cave.” Alex leans back, crossing his arms. “I figured I’d better go before you punched me in the nuts.”
“I was not doing any of that.”I actually was.
“You can’t lie to me, bro. I’m not even giving you a hard time. Britt’s a sweet little piece of—”
“Don’t say it.” My voice is a low warning, just above a growl, and he laughs.
“I rest my case.”
“Fuck off.” I lean my forearms on the bar, and he pours me another inch.
Alex has always been the smartest of my brothers, but discussing my personal life with these two is not on tonight’s agenda.
“So you’re sleeping with Britt. So what?” Adam steps up beside me. “You didn’t think you’d be single for the rest of your life. You’re only thirty five.”
I lift the drink Alex poured and sip it. “I didn’t think anything. I don’t want to talk about it, because there’s nothing to say.”
“Oh, shit.” Adam, exhales a laugh. “This is serious.”
“Look, Aiden. Sharing is not your strong suit, but we’re your brothers.” Alex rests his elbows on the bar. “What’s the problem?”
My brow lowers, and my chest tightens as I study them. Alex waits placidly, while Adam’s eyes dance like he’s just waiting to jump on the next thing I say. It’s not encouraging, but with an exhale, I relent.
“Britt’s a smart girl, and she seems responsible and serious, nothing like her family.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Adam prods.
“I’ve got Owen now. I’m not a free agent. I have to think about his feelings, and him getting attached to something that could be nothing. I haven’t known Britt for long. Maybe she is just like her family, and I haven't seen it yet.”
“The Owen part I understand.” Alex pours himself a bit more.
“I think you can relax.” Adam’s tone is serious, which I appreciate. “I’ve known Britt for years. In high school, she was always the responsible one. I mean, she’d let her hair down occasionally, but she always had goals. She wanted to get out of here and make a name for herself apart from Edna and Gwen.”
