“Is everything okay? Should I call him and tell him to come back right now?”
“No, please don’t panic him. I can wait.”
“O-okay.” She shifted her weight. Why haven’t I heard about him before? Maybe I don’t know Shooter as well as I thought I did. The thought made her heart ache. He’d seen her at her rawest. She’d bared her soul, cried in his arms and turned to him in her darkest hour. If she could stand up to her mother in his defense, why couldn’t he tell her about his family?
“What brings you out this way?”
“I’ve been trying to catch up with him for a while and it hasn’t worked out. I figured the most direct approach would be the best solution.”
“Part of that is my fault.” She cringed. “There’s been a lot going on.” She longed for something to do to keep herself busy. “Are you sure I can’t get you something to eat or drink? I was going to start on dinner.”
“Don’t mind me. I know I’m an unexpected guest. I appreciate the hospitality.”
“Come on, I’ll get you a beer. We’re just having pizza, nothing complicated, but you’re welcome to join us.”
A sad expression lined his face and he glanced down at the floor. “We’ll see.”
What happened between these two? The question hovered on the tip of her tongue. Did they fight last time they were together? She didn’t have a sibling of her own, but she’d been around her friends enough to know they got in to it from time to time. Shaking her head, she walked into the kitchen with him trailing behind her. He leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets.
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Sure, if you want to wash your hands you can make the salad.” She patted her hands dry with a dishtowel and pulled the pizza out of the freezer.
“I can do that.” He offered her an easy smile.
“So tell me some Shooter stories. He couldn’t have always been this bad-ass.”
Joel threw back his head back and laughed. His eyes lit up and he grinned. “No, he had a very awkward phase from sixth grade to ninth. All gangly limbs, acne and un-coolness. He was on the chess team for Christ’s sake.”
“What?” She closed the door to the oven and turned around. “Really?”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure by now you’ve figured out he’s smart as a whip. But it’s more than street smarts. The kid has a 130 IQ.”
Her jaw dropped.
“Yeah, he hides it well.”
“Evil genius,” she mumbled.
Joel snorted, and they both launched into a fresh fit of laughter.
“What the fuck is going on here?”
Juliette jumped. “Hey babe, your brother came by to visit.”
“I can see that.” Shooter’s jaw ticked. “You just let him into our house?”
“Uh, yeah, he’s your brother.” Juliette glanced from Joel to Shooter. “I don’t understand.”
“You let her think things were okay between us? That’s bullshit.” The door slammed and Shooter strode across the room. If looks could kill, Joel would be dead on the spot. Shooter’s eyes smoldered with anger and possessiveness. “Step away from him.”
“What?” she whispered.
“Now.” Shooter’s clipped voice made her take a step to the right.
“This is unnecessary,” Joel said.
“Like I trust your word.” Shooter wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side.