Fireman Daddy (Crescent Cove 8.50)

I whirled toward my brother’s voice. “Rude. Were you listening?”

He draped his arm over my shoulders. “Here I am complimenting you, and I get nothing but shit.”

I dug my knuckles into his ribs.

“Ow.”

“You’re hovering.”

“I had to make sure that dick wasn’t going to hassle you.”

“I had it under control.”

“Of course, you did. I was just here as backup. Just because I worry about you and want to make sure nothing happens to you doesn’t mean I don’t think you can handle yourself.”

“I’m pretty

sure that’s the definition, actually.”

“It would have been if I’d interrupted and told him to shove his golf clubs up his ass and get off our property. But I let you handle it.”

I peered up at my brother. Somehow, the word our didn’t get my hackles up. “I guess you’re right.”

“No guessing. Facts. Being able to handle yourself doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.”

“I’ve had to do a lot of stuff on my own, Damien.”

“Only because you pushed us all away for your fancy husband.”

“That wasn’t why. I left because I needed to know I could stand on my own.”

“How’d that work out for you?”

For a moment, I rested my cheek on my brother’s shoulder. “I thought it was great. Until I inherited this stupid bar. Now I want to make it amazing.”

“And make babies with Jake Mills.”

I shoved my knuckles into my brother’s ribs again. “No.”

“Gina told me she caught you guys half-naked.”

I shoved his arm off me. “Gina needs to shut her mouth.”

“Mills is a good guy. I always thought you should have dated him in school instead of that punk Danny.”

“Yeah, I’m beginning to think so too.”

“I always knew you were smart, piccola. Sometimes, it just takes you awhile.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Come on. You can see what it’s like to not have help.”

“How much of a mess did they leave?”

“A Gina, Frankie, and Papa in the kitchen kind of mess.”

I groaned. “Great.”