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“Most likely,” Demmy said, and gave Cody’s ass a gentle pat. “Just like either one of us would have done. Come on.”
Cody muttered a grumpy agreement then slid into the booth across from Dave and gave him a tight smile. Dave looked good. His expression was relaxed and his brown hair and beard recently trimmed. There was a light in his eyes behind the lenses of his glasses, and Cody had to admit he liked seeing his brother happy, even if it might be Ollie’s doing.
“What a coincidence, finding you here,” Cody said. “Time off from your day job?”
“I’m taking a late lunch,” Dave said, shrugging. “The benefits of working from home.”
“It’s just so nice to be surprised by you being here,” Ollie said, leaning in to give Dave a quick kiss.
Cody made a face. “All right. Knock it off.”
“Oh yes, my brother doesn’t like to see anyone being affectionate with me,” Dave said.
“Of course not,” Cody said. “You’re a jerk I’ve been saddled with looking after my whole life.”
“I love you, too, big brother,” Dave said with a smile.
“And I wasn’t just referring to your constant need to flaunt your PDAs around town.”
“Grandma Felicia?” Dave said, eyes widening. “Is that you?”
Cody once again ignored his brother, pointing at Ollie. “You can knock off the terrible acting job of being surprised to see him. I know you texted him.”
“Did I?” Ollie cocked his head and looked at Dave beside him. “Is that true?”
“If my big brother says it’s true, it’s got to be true,” Dave said. “That’s Cody’s Law.”
Ollie nodded. “I understand now.”
Cody sent a gentle glare to Demmy who was laughing beside him. “Don’t encourage them.”
Demmy shook his head. “I think you’re managing to do that all on your own.”
“So,” Ollie said, clasping his hands before him on the tabletop. “How was your outing with Lucia?”
Dave laughed, then abruptly cut himself off and cleared his throat. “Sorry. Was thinking about something someone at work said in a Teams chat.”
“Jackass,” Cody said.
“Takes one to know one.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Ollie said, voice going up a notch. “Will you two stop bickering and just get on with what you learned?”
Cody looked around the suddenly silent diner. The other customers stared at their booth, and he gave a tight smile and nodded. “Just a little family discussion, that’s all.”
He turned back and found Ollie with his face in his hands, the hint of a blush just visible from between his fingers. Good.
“What time is it?” Demmy asked, looking around the diner.
“You, too?” Cody said. “Does no one want to hear what Lucia and I found out?”
Demmy put a hand on his thigh, a move that calmed Cody while it also revved him up a little. “I’m just asking because the diner’s pretty empty for early afternoon.”
Cody looked around at the fifteen or so people scattered throughout the place, including the four of them. The empty booths and tables seemed shockingly vacant now that Demmy had pointed them out, and his gut knotted as a light sheen of guilt sweat came up on the back of his neck.
Margie had stood up for them to the Woleks, and the family had been badmouthing her along with them all over town. And now Margie was paying the price as well.
“Fucking Woleks,” Cody said. Demmy gave his thigh a gentle squeeze, then moved his hand. Cody was grateful for the removal of the distraction, but now the spot where Demmy had been touching him felt cold.
