“I did not kiss Brenna.”
Tyler’s hold relaxed slightly. “You just said you did.”
“I did not. I said my idea of a nightmare was kissing the same woman for the rest of my life. I did not say I kissed Brenna.” Sean shoved his brother and smoothed his creased shirt, battling sibling irritation and other emotions he didn’t want to examine more closely. “I’ve known her since she was four years old. She’s like a sister to me.”
“Right. Good.” Tyler’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “Your shirt needs ironing. Your standards are slipping since you arrived home.”
Sean decided revenge didn’t have to involve ruining a perfectly good set of clothing. “Of course, just because I’ve known her since she was four years old doesn’t stop me from noticing that she’s looking good.” His shirt was already creased so he decided he might as well go for it. “Now you mention it, maybe I should kiss her. Why not?” He decided to stir a bit harder. “Although I might have competition.”
“Competition?”
“Yeah. I saw her talking to Josh. Judging from the look on his face, he definitely doesn’t think she’s four years old. Women love Josh.”
“They’re friends.” From the way Tyler spoke through his teeth it was obvious the relationship didn’t thrill him.
“He sat next to me in biology and English, which means he’s known her as long as I have. I don’t see you creasing his shirt.”
“If I creased his shirt I could end up in handcuffs for assaulting an officer of the law.”
“So it doesn’t bother you that she’s with him?”
“She isn’t with him. They’re just friends. And sure it bothers me. But not as much as the thought of you and her together.”
“Thanks. I love you, too. You always were my favorite brother.”
Tyler didn’t even raise a smile. “Brenna is straightforward and uncomplicated.”
“She’s a woman,” Sean drawled. “No woman is ever straightforward and uncomplicated.”
“She is not your type. You’d break her.”
Sean frowned. “I don’t seem to recall you being exactly careful with female hearts.”
“I never laid a finger on Brenna.”
And that, Sean thought wearily, was his brother’s main problem. “Why not?”
“I don’t think of her like that.” Tyler’s scowl deepened. “And you’re not going to think of her like that, either.”
“But if you’re not interested—”
“I’ve been looking for you, Tyler.” Suddenly Jackson was between them, calm and solid. “Should have guessed you’d be hiding out here. I’ve got a problem.”
“So have I.” Tyler was glaring at Sean. “It shares your DNA and I’m going to break a bone in its body in a moment.”
Sean rubbed at a smudge on his jacket. “Broken bones are my specialty, remember?”
Jackson ignored both of them. “Kayla has arranged a corporate team-building event. Overnight hike on the Long Trail.”
“I know. You told me about it.” Looking grumpy, Tyler lifted the bike out of the dust. “I have to take a bunch of out-of-condition office types hiking. It will be the highlight of my life.”
“I need you to do a trial run next weekend.”
“I don’t need to do a trial run. I know that trail like the back of my hand. I could walk it in the dark in my sleep with both legs tied together and still be back in half the time you’re giving them.”
“It’s not for your benefit. It’s for Élise.”
Stirred out of thoughts of his conversation with his grandfather, Sean frowned. “What does Élise have to do with it? She’s not doing a trip with Tyler.”