One Choice (Hogan Brothers 2)

“Stop worrying, Levi. Your mom’s really nice. I like her.”

“Here we go!” Lorraine placed the meal on the table, and he felt no shame as he loaded Hayes plate first, then his own and dug in.

“So, Hayes.” His mother shot him a scathing look for digging in so quickly. “Do you have any siblings?” His entire body froze at the question. Looking to Hayes, he saw a flash of pain flicker in her gaze before she spread her napkin on her lap, delaying her response.

“I do, yes.” Clearing her throat, she continued. “An older brother, Ryder.”

Lorraine smiled, unaware of the pain revolving around the man. Levi hadn’t even been able to get Hayes to open about him. He agonized over what was going through her mind. “Does he live here in Loveland?”

“Ma,” he tried to warn softly.

Hayes spoke before he could get anything else out. “No. He’s never been here.”

“What does he do?” He tried to get his mother’s attention, but she was too busy fixing her plate.

“He’s dead.” Leave it to his girl to be blunt.

Lorraine’s utensils clattered on the table as she looked up startled. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you.” Hayes became quiet after that, her head tilted down as she picked at her food. The light mood from earlier vanished into thin air.

His mom looked to him for support, helplessness shone in her gaze. He shook his head, hoping she knew there was nothing she could have done.

He hated that Hayes suffered any kind of pain where her brother was concerned, but he was aware that she needed to talk about it. She had so much agony buried deep inside that he had a feeling she hadn’t spoken to anyone about it yet.

“You mentioned an engagement party for Nox and Soph the other day, Ma. Does Loch know?” He was desperate to lift the mood.

“Yes!” She caught onto what he was doing. “Just something small, though that damn Anthony wants to go big. He just doesn’t get the poor girl.”

“She’s the girl at your shop?” Hayes asked him, still not looking up.

“That’s her.” He smiled, hoping she’d lift her head. Something.

“She was really friendly.”

“That’s our Sophia. Friendly to a fault.” His mom beamed. It was true. Soph didn’t have a mean bone in her body.

“My mom used to be an event coordinator in San Diego. I bet she’d help you,” Hayes offered. He hadn’t known that.

Lorraine reached across the table to touch her hand as she spoke. “I would love the help.” Joy lit the woman’s face.

“I’ll speak to her tonight. I can give her your number?”

“Have Levi give her directions to the house, and she can come on over whenever she’d like. I’d love to meet your parents.” Damn, he loved his mother. She had a special touch when it came to situations like this. Usually after she put her foot in her mouth. But she was always well-meaning.

After a quiet evening with his mom, Levi had driven Hayes home, and they were now sitting on the front steps of her house in the quiet night.

“Ryder wasn’t supposed to be on active duty.” She finally broke the silence, unable to mask the pain in her voice. “He was a technical analyst and logistics guy.” Blowing out a breath, she looked up at the stars wondering if he was watching down on her pain. “He was my best friend. We told each other everything.” Levi held her hand over her knee. “I had no idea he was so deceitful about his career. Turns out he was a SEAL. Went on missions all over the world and we were none the wiser.”

“I’m sorry, Hayes.” He didn’t know what else to say.

“We never even got to bury his body. They came to the house with his dog tags and nothing else. We received a flag and a headstone but never an explanation of what happened. Or why.” Tears streamed down her face. “My parents… They won’t say it, but they’re angry with me.”

“What the hell for?”

“The knock on the door came minutes before the phone rang. We were basically dying together, Levi. Ryder and I, we did everything together. I hadn’t participated in the Olympics because I wanted to wait until Ryder’s contract was over. I wanted him to train me properly. I wanted him standing next to me as I ran for gold.” Sobs racked her body.

Pulling her into his arms, he tried to soothe her, but he had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to relax until she had the answers she was searching for.