Grip Trilogy Box Set

“But nothing you can’t handle from New York,” Rhyson says before I can mount my defense.

“Right.” I sketch a quick frown before continuing. “And I know I need to be on site for certain things.”

“But you can just fly here for those and then go back to New York when you’re done.” Rhyson sips his coffee, regarding me steadily over the rim. “Between video conference, Wi-Fi, and every other technological advance at our disposal, shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I was hoping you’d see that.” Though I thought I would have to be the one to make him see it.

“And it’s just for the semester, right? Next semester you guys would be back in LA?”

“Yeah.” Out of habit I rub at my neck to ease the tension, but there’s no tension there. This conversation is going much better than I had hoped. “We’ll be back in December after finals.”

Rhyson kind of stole my thunder, took some of the wind from my sails. I was fully prepared to persuade, convince, and cajole him to my point of view, but he anticipated everything I had lined up. I do at least have one thing he probably didn’t see coming.

“I was thinking while I’m in New York, I could feel out some Broadway possibilities,” I say nonchalantly.

“Broadway?” Curiosity lights up his eyes. “For who?”

“Well, I know Kai wants to get into acting, and after her album drops, we’ve been talking about movie roles.”

“No nudity,” he cuts in, wearing his I mean it face. “I told you, Bris. Don’t even bring us a script that calls for her to do some fifty shades of fucked-up shit with some dickhead actor. If I haven’t been clear—”

“The last time we discussed Kai’s movie career, you asked me to look for nun roles.” I layer my look and my words with sarcasm. “I think you were pretty clear.”

“Good,” Rhyson mutters, either not seeing or not caring how ridiculous he sounds. My sister-in-law will thank me later for saving her from wearing a habit onscreen.

“Kai’s one of those rare talents who can do it all,” I continue. “She sings, dances, acts, and is gorgeous.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty amazing.” Pride and love fill his eyes, and I’m so happy my brother didn’t listen to me when I questioned Kai’s motives, so happy neither of us settled for the matrimonial farce our parents showed us all those years.

“There aren’t many Broadway roles that require nudity.” I shrug and widen my eyes innocently. “Maybe my time in New York could open up a whole new avenue for Kai.”

The cogs are turning so hard in my brother’s head, I think I smell smoke.

“I love that idea, Bris.” He leans over to hook his arm around my neck and pull me closer. “And I think it’s great that you’re putting your relationship with Marlon first.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, and I know it’s your choice. He’s not that guy who would drag you across the country by your hair.”

“I had to force him to tell me he wanted me to go with him.” I smile at the memory. “He’s so concerned with me being happy and doing what I love.”

“Unlike me who would just say Kai, pack your shit, you’re coming with me to New York?” Rhyson laughs, but his voice rings with truth.

“Your words,” I say with a grin. “Not mine.”

He almost destroyed their relationship trying to control Kai. Our parents set that pattern managing his career as a piano prodigy, using love as control, and it’s taken him twenty years to break out of it.

“I’ve gotten a lot better, too,” Rhyson asserts. “Just ask Kai.”

“Ask me what?”

Kai stands in the kitchen doorway, Aria perched on her hip. Her petite frame is perfectly lit by the sun shining through the windows, and for a moment, my brother looks dazzled by the dark hair hanging almost to her waist and the tilted eyes that are even more beautiful because they are kind. My niece is such a perfectly adorable blend of Rhys and Kai, I can’t resist going over and snatching her up immediately.

While I’m cooing to Aria, Rhyson is thoroughly kissing his wife, pulling her much shorter frame up and into his.

For a long damn time.

“Ahem.” I clear my throat meaningfully. “You think you two could wrap this up before Aria graduates?”