Page 23 of Five Mountain Daddies

“You just have to worry about how the twins are going to react,” James says. “I think they really likeher.”

I sigh. “I’m not trying to blow their spotup.”

“We know that,” Ryan says, glancing at James. “I know you’ve always had an issue with making a game ofit.”

“Yeah,” I say, lookingaway.

“We get it,” James adds. “Really, Henry, it’sfine.”

I nod and feel better, although we still have to tell Caleb and Wyatt. I know they’re not going to take it as well as Ryan and James did, and I’m worried aboutit.

I’ve never been comfortable treating women like they’re a game. I’ve gone along with it in the past, mostly because I’m the newest member of this little group. I’ve known these guys a long time, but when I got involved in my business, I didn’t talk to them at all. James brought me to live back home and gave me a piece of his business only a few years ago, after they had already establishedeverything.

We’ve grown close in that time, and now I’d call these guys my brothers. But I’ve never liked the games, and now I’m standing up forit.

“So what now?” I askthem.

James stands up. “Let’s go see what the twins think first, shallwe?”

I sigh and nod. We all get up and leave the conference room together. Ryan jokes with me about wanting to fuck London, which makes me feel better. I knew these guys would understand. We head outside, up a little ridge, and down toward the lake. It’s about a ten-minute walk, and we pass the time by talking about how we’ll improve Club Sheets in thefuture.

We find the twins down by the lake, fishing gear spread out on the ground. They come out here pretty much every day, and although they don’t always catch something, they’re absolutely going to stand around and try for a couple hours. Empty beer cans are at their feet and they both look absolutely serene as they stand there in silencetogether.

“Any bites today?” Ryan calls out as we getcloser.

Wyatt looks back and shrugs. “Some,” hesays.

“Nothing good,” Calebadds.

“Can’t always be winners,” Ryansays.

We file onto the sandy beach next to them and I stand on a pair of rocks, looking out at the water. James clears his throat and nods at me, trying to beencouraging.

“Listen, guys,” I say finally, “I told London about our littlegame.”

Neither of them react. I catch a glance from Caleb to Wyatt, but other than that, they look impassive asalways.

“I just, you all seem to like her,” I say quickly. “I mean, I wasn’t sure if I liked her, and then I kissedher—”

“You kissed her?” Ryan asks, laughing. “You conveniently left thatout.”

“Of course he kissed her,” James says. “Henry can’t let us have anything without him getting apiece.”

“I thought you didn’t want to play?” Ryanasks.

Caleb clears his throat. “Did you like it?” he asksme.

I nod slowly. “Yeah. I didn’t expect to… but Idid.”

He smiles a little. “We like her, too,” hesays.

“We do,” Wyattagrees.

“It’s better that she knows. If we want to keep her around, anyway,” Calebsays.

I let out a breath. “You guyssure?”

“We’re sure,” Wyatt says. “Just don’t do something like thatagain.”

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