Huge Working Hero (Hard Working Hero 3)

That fucking kid. What the hell is he thinking? Why would he do this now?

I can already answer myself. It was a moment of opportunity. A perfect storm. No one was there watching him. The car was left with the keys inside. Why wouldn't he jump on this?

There's a pit in my stomach now. I know something no one else does. Seth isn't here, not anymore.

Her eyes are wide and her hands are shaking. “The car's gone. Jesus, your father is going to have a fit, and your brother is missing.” She turns her attention to Brand. “Where were you, huh? Why weren't you at the car where you were supposed to be?” She steps in and pokes him in the chest.

“Mrs. Klein, I'm here looking for a part for Mr. Klein. He asked me to try and find one while we were here. Seth said he'd stay with the car. I don't know where he is. Maybe Mr. Klein has the car.”

“No, he doesn't. He's inside getting his number for the show.”

“Mom, Brand didn't do anything wrong.”

Her eyes grow wide as she glares at me. “He did everything wrong. He was supposed to be with the car,” she snarls. “That's his job. That's his one fucking job.”

“Mrs. Klein, don't worry, I'll find your son. I'm sure he's around here somewhere. Maybe there was a flat tire and he's just getting it filled. That stuff happens.”

“You better find him, and you better right.” Her jaw jets out to one side, her lips tight and thin as she storms off.

“Fuck,” I say under my breath.

Brand grabs my shoulder and squeezes. “Don't worry, we'll find him.”

I nod quietly, but the pit in my stomach is now as big as a boulder. I think I'm going to throw up.

“He's definitely not here,” Brand says.

“What? How do you know? Maybe you're right, maybe he's just putting air in the tires or something?”

I'm trying so hard to believe that thought. It's possible, right? Could my brother be this stupid to take the car right now? I know he's young, but he has to know better. He's smarter than this.

Please tell me he's smarter than this.

“I made that shit up. The tires are fine. I checked them myself. But I was seventeen once, and I know if I had access to that car, I'd take it out and open it up somewhere.” Brand dangles the keys my mother threw him when he went to help get the chairs out of the back. “Let's go find your brother.”

He grabs my hand and starts to lead me back toward the SUV.

The feel of his fingers around mine soothe me. They're strong, firm, and comforting. He runs his thumb over mine, settling the nerves that are taking me hostage. His calm demeanor and ability to act instead of panic is a turn on.

He isn't just what I need, he's everything I need.

6

Brand

Kelsie is sitting next to me. Her hands are in her lap, and she's nervously picking at her nails. She keeps nibbling on her bottom lip, her eyes open so wide I can see all the white.

The look on her face is telling me this isn't just nerves over her missing brother. Seth is almost an adult, it's not like he's six or seven and possibly got coaxed by a stranger into a van. Her nerves are more pinpointed, more directed at her thoughts.

“What are you not saying?” I ask.

“What?” She looks over at me, her fingers worrying the skin around her nails.

“You obviously know more than you're saying. What is it?”

Kelsie lets out a weighted breath, dropping her eyes to her lap. “I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know any more than you do.”

“Yes, you do. It's written all over your face. So, tell me already.”

“All right,” she says sharply. It didn't take much pressure from me for her to speak up. She cracked like an egg falling on concrete. “Seth told me he wanted to take my dad's car for a ride. My father barely lets him look at any of his cars, let alone drive one. I just didn't think he was going to do it here and now. He's so fucking stupid.” She grunts, throwing her head back against the seat and closing her eyes. “Why the hell did he decide to do this now? Today of all days?”

“Because the opportunity was there, that's why.” I reach over and take her hand, bringing it into my lap and holding it tight. “He's not thinking, but what kid does think at seventeen? I know I made mistakes at his age.”

“I'm so damn mad at him, though! There are plenty of other times he'd have a chance to do it. Today is not one of them.”

“Yeah, but again, he saw the chance and he took it. Isn't that what life is about anyway? Taking risks? If we push things off, waiting to find that perfect moment, it'll never come. We'll always make excuses as to why it’s not the right time. Seth saw his chance and he acted. Maybe it was dumb, but he went for it.”