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Grady's mouth formed a straight line. "Are you sure you saw what you saw?"
"Yeah." Kaleb sighed, sinking into his chair even further. "There's no denying what my eyes saw firsthand."
"And you're sure she's into him?" Grady pressed. “Maybe the kiss was his idea.”
"You don't kiss someone if you aren't hoping for more." Kaleb scowled, doing his best to wipe out the image of Cinnamon in another man's arms.
"It could be that they were making sure they had real feelings for each other." Even Grady sounded unsure of his suggestion.
"I know what you're trying to do, man, and I appreciate it." Kaleb stretched out his legs in front of him. "But the truth is, I lost her. I have no one to blame but myself."
"I wish there was something I could say to make it better."
A joyless laugh slipped through Kaleb's lips. "Me, too."
"I can set up a dating profile for you." Grady pulled his phone out of his pocket. "There has to be a Christian dating app that's similar to the other ones, right?"
Kaleb's lip quirked despite his frustration. "I'm sure there is. Right now, though, I don't think any woman would want to date me knowing I’ve been hung up on my ex for over a decade."
"I'm positive there's a desperate woman out there willing to settle for someone like you." Grady laughed at his own joke. "Want to go to town and play some pool or something?"
They had to get up early the next day to see to the needs of the farm, but sitting at home, dwelling on his loss, was the last place Kaleb wanted to be. Perhaps getting out with Grady would do him some good.
"Think we can avoid going anywhere near A Whole Latte of Love?"
"I can guarantee it." Grady hopped up from the couch and grabbed his keys from the bowl on the side table. "I'll drive since you're in no condition to."
Kaleb clapped Grady on the shoulder. "You're a good brother." Emotion clogged his throat, stopping him from saying anything else.
Grady punched Kaleb in the arm. "Thanks. So are you."
"I owe you for staying out with me tonight. Sleep in tomorrow, and I'll take care of the farm."
Grady's eyebrows met his hairline. "You sure?"
"It's the least I can do." Darkness stretched across the sky, stars blinking their hellos from above. Kaleb climbed into Grady's jeep, resting his head back.
Getting up extra early wasn't going to be great for Kaleb, but if it showed Grady his gratitude, he'd do it. Without his little brother over the last few years, he'd be lost. Shoot, without Scarlet, too. Since the death of their parents, they'd all grown closer together.
Kaleb never understood how family members could fight and argue over an estate or belongings after the death of a loved one. If that happened with him and his siblings, his parents would've been disappointed.
Instead, they discussed every part of their inheritance, dividing it evenly. Even when Scarlet moved out, if she wanted some of the furniture that reminded her of Mom and Dad, he and Grady would gladly give it to her, if for no other reason than to keep the peace between them.
Grady pulled into the recreation center. Moments later, they had the balls racked and ready to break.
"You break." Kaleb tossed the stick from hand to hand.
Grady bent over the table and aimed the white ball at the triangle of balls. They scattered all around. Some went into pockets, but most stayed on top of the table.
Grady sent ball after ball into the pockets. He missed a shot, then Kaleb sent his own share into the corners. They played game after game, trading good-natured barbs along the way.
"Hey, guys." Scarlet sauntered into the room, Shane on her heels. "What're you doing out so late?"
Grady leaned on his cue. "We could ask you the same question."
"We were headed back to the farm when we passed your jeep." Scarlet stuck her tongue out at him. "Now your turn to answer."
"Just wanted some bro time." Grady motioned for Kaleb to shoot. "Thought we'd spend it here."
