Brothersong (Green Creek 4)

I blinked. “What?”

“Kelly,” he said. “Going to Caswell with Joe and Robbie.”

I hadn’t known that. I scratched the back of my neck. “Makes sense. Robbie doesn’t have the best history with Caswell. Kelly wouldn’t want to let him out of his sight. We’re… weird that way.”

Gavin watched me, a curious look on his face. “Because they’re mates.”

I shrugged awkwardly. “Yeah. That’s part of it. A big part, even. But it’s also probably for Joe. Wanting to make sure someone has his back.”

“Joe is Alpha.”

“Your observational skills are exceptional.”

He sneered at me. “Alpha of all.”

“He is,” I agreed, wondering where he was going with this while also trying to figure out why the bed looked much smaller than it had this morning.

“Powerful,” Gavin said. “But I don’t know if he likes it.”

That startled me. “Why do you think that?”

“My observational skills are exceptional.”

I groaned. “You’re such an asshole.”

He grinned at me. “Your words.” The smile faded slightly. “Why does he do something he doesn’t like?”

It was too late for this. I was exhausted, but he wasn’t moving. I leaned against my desk. “Because he has to.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s who he’s supposed to be.”

He nodded slowly. “But you said I could be whoever I wanted.”

“You can.”

“Then why can’t he?”

“I…. It’s blood, Gavin. It’s in our blood. We’re Bennetts.”

“What would you be?”

“What do you mean?”

He frowned

in concentration. “If you… trying to find words.” He hit the side of his head.

“Hey, don’t do that. Just take your time, man. It’ll come to you.”

He said, “If you could be. Anyone else. Would you?”

“No,” I said, surprising even myself. “I don’t think I would.”

“Why?”

I chewed on the inside of my cheek before answering. “There’s this… history. Here, in Green Creek. And it’s not always a good history. A lot of shit has happened here.”