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“You should care because those people are a direct reflection of youandHardin. You should care because it’s the fair thing to do.”
“Fair?” he scoffs on a dead sound. “When have youorI ever been given a fair hand, Rory?”
Ouch!That one comment hits me like a punch straight to the jugular.
Why are we fighting right now? We’re supposed to be on the same team. Aren’t we?
The elevator doors open—thankfully—and we walk into Abram’s office with a charged silence. Our personalities more than lackluster by the time he has the chance to greet us.
“Well, aren’t you both chipper?” he teases, but when neither of us cracks a smile, the look melts right off his face.
I notice how Finn keeps his attention on the windows behind his desk. Unwilling to meet anyone directly with that frigid stare.
“Are you joining or is this a drop-off only?”
My brother does his best to ramble off an excuse, even as he continues to refuse to look at either of us.
Abram isn’t having it. “I would love for you both to stay. I could use a break anyway.”
I’ve already taken a seat by the time Finn slowly sinks down into the one beside me. Most likely because he remembers I drove, so he’s stuck here unless he wants to wait in rush hour traffic in a rideshare.
“Here, Abram, I saw these left on the copier and figured you forgot about them,” Cole says, entering without knocking.
If our intrusion has caught him off guard, it doesn’t show. Iceman smoothly moves around the space, setting the papers on his desk.
“Oh, thank you. I’m afraid I’ve been a little scatterbrained recently.” He says chuckling to himself as Cole rounds back.
“No worries,” he replies, shooting me a secret wink before he leaves completely.
I don’t have to touch my cheeks to know I’m flushed because I’m hot all over. Fully remembering what Iceman did to me in this very spot, that one time his father intruded while we were all sharing a meal then too.
That’s what that wink was about. A secret knowing.
“What about you, Finn? Think you’re ready?” Abram asks and I’m grateful for the distraction even though it’s not directed at me.
“For what?” he responds, his tone filled with straight ice.
I arch an eyebrow, curious as well on what Abram’s referring to.
“Joining your sister and Cole. Start making your appearances more regular around here? Get a better feel of Hardin?”
If looks could kill, I’d already be dead with the glare Finn shoots over in my direction. “Did you set this up?” His voice is low but it’s one bad exhale away from going nuclear.
“What? No—”
“Your sister had nothing to do with this,” Abram defends. “Seeing Cole reminded me of how well he’s been doing. The same discipline could look good on you too.”
Finn’s cheeks hollow out, and I’m sure if he were a dragon, fire would be spewed as well. He says nothing though, quietly simmering in his spot.
“Basketball season is up, and I know you want to spend time with your friends and your new girlfriend but—”
“—Fine,” Finn says, cutting him off.
“What?”
Abram’s face contorts, and I can almost guarantee mine is holding the same questionable shock. Neither of us were expecting him to give in so easily. So willingly.
“I said I’ll do it,” he clips out.
