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He brings his fingers up to his temples, squeezing. “It’s the pressure. You don’t understand what it’s like to have so much fucking responsibility. You just get to do whatever you want. I’m running a goddamn empire, okay? I’m trying to maintain Bianca and juggle a million different things, and people are stabbing me in the back, left and right. I can’t trust anyone. I can’t even trust what you say right now, and you don’t give a fuck about it.”
“I do.” I pause to meet his gaze. “I do give a fuck.”
“Then why are you leaving again?” he demands.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I know I haven’t been around, but you can still talk to me whenever you want.”
“Talk to you.” He scoffs. “I don’t need a fucking therapist. I need my brother. Just stay a while longer. A couple more days.”
“I can’t.” I grab my duffel and toss the rest of my shit inside. “I have to go to California. I told you.”
When I turn again, he’s right beside me, and I’m not expecting it when he reaches out and grabs my shirt, bringing his face within an inch of mine.
“Swear to me you wouldn’t betray me.”
Ranger lunges at him, nipping at his leg, and Adam comes unglued.
“This motherfucking mutt.” He lets go of me and barks back at him again. “How do you like it?”
“Come, Ranger.” I snap my fingers, keeping him close to my side as I glare over at my brother. “Lay off my dog, or we’re going to have a fucking problem.”
Adam’s nostrils flare as he sizes me up, making a show of gesturing for me with his hands. “Come on, then. Show me what you’ve got, military man. Show me how big and bad you are.”
“Dude, it’s way too fucking early for this shit.”
“You said it. Let’s wrestle. It’ll be just like old times.” He bounces from foot to foot, tossing out fake punches into the air. I’ve never seen him so amped up.
“Go to bed, Adam. Maybe we can do dinner or something tonight before I leave.”
“Just one punch.” He keeps after the idea. “I’ll give you the first one. See if you can knock me out.”
“I’m not going to punch you.”
“Did you come back from war with a pussy?” he taunts.
My pulse pounds as real irritation eats at me. Adam has always been obnoxious when he’s drunk, but this is over the top, even for him.
“Watch your mouth,” I tell him.
“I want to see what my big brother has on me now,” he jeers. “Come on.”
Ignoring him, I head for the door. But I don’t make it three steps before he’s trying to tackle me from behind, clearly unaware of my fucking back injury. I hiss in pain, and instinct kicks in when I let Ranger go and turn on him. I’ve got him in a chokehold on the floor in two seconds flat, and Adam winces as I yank up on his neck.
“Are you done now?” I growl.
“Motherfucker,” he wheezes. “Let me go.”
I let him go and then grab Ranger, who’s barking at Adam like he really does want to bite him. My hand on his head calms him, and I pull him close to my side as Adam staggers to his feet, disoriented and clearly annoyed.
“You need to go to bed.” I scowl at him. “Get whatever the fuck you’re on out of your system.”
“I was just fucking around.” He rubs at his neck as he glares back at me. “Thought I’d remind you of old times. Before you turned into a prick.”
“The old times are gone, Adam,” I say. “Don’t try that shit again.”
I check into a hotel room and take a short nap with Ranger before I head over to see my mom. It’s been on my mind the entire trip down here. I know Adam will tell her I was here, and it will upset her if I don’t at least stop by and pay one visit.
She’s surprised to see me when she opens the door, but the rare display of emotion doesn’t last long. We eat breakfast together while Stefan mostly ignores us, annoyed by my presence. The small talk is forced, and the awkward silences last far too long, and I’m actually relieved when Adam shows up unexpectedly an hour into the charade.
“Shouldn’t you be at work?” Stefan asks Adam.
“I took the day off.” He sets a rifle case and his range bag near the sliding door. “How often does your hero brother come home and grace you with his presence?”
“Did you get any sleep?” I ask him.
“A couple of hours is all I need.” He shrugs, and I’m glad to see that whatever the fuck he was on earlier seems to have worn off, and he’s calmed down, even if he’s still being a dick.
