Page 85 of The Deadbeat Next Door

Noah handed me a beer and I took a seat next to him on the bench under the giant Oak tree in the backyard. “Do you know what you’re doing, man?” he asked.

“I’m going after the woman of my dreams. It might seem crazy to you, but it feels right to me.”

Noah nodded. He looked tired and worn out. He was the strong one of the family, the kid who’d never complained, just did what was asked of him and came back for more. I couldn’t remember seeing him look so defeated and morose before. “How about you? Still got that stalker?”

“Probably,” he said with a shrug. “Aubrey’s leaving me.”

“I’m sorry, man. I didn’t realize you two were together.”

He turned to me, a bewildered look on his face. “No. She’s leaving as my assistant. She’s found another job. A better job, she says.”

I felt sorry for my brother. I also understood what my mother had been trying to tell me inside. Becoming too focused on any one goal made you miss out on some great stuff. “Noah,” I said. “You’re a fucking idiot.”

His bewildered look got a little hard-edged, like he was pissed. “Everyone keeps saying that, but they won’t tell me what the hell they mean.”

He was my brother and, though I was loyal to Aubrey, he was my fucking brother. “She’s a gorgeous woman, Noah, and she’s always there when you need her. She’s stood by you through some pretty heinous shit. She moved in with you when you had a crazy stalker. Some men would kill for a woman like that and you, man, you don’t even fucking see her.”

His eyebrows went high and his lips curled like he wanted to laugh at me, like he thought I was joking. I shook my head in disgust and he must have realized I was serious, because his smile dropped. “I see her,” he said. “She’s my best friend.”

“And that, brother, is why everyone keeps telling you you’re a fucking idiot.”

He still looked confused. He just didn’t get it. He rubbed a hand down his face and shook his head. “Shit. This isn’t good.”

I slapped his shoulder. “Most guys, the non-idiot kinds would say this is very good.”

Noah shook his head. “I’m going to lose an amazing assistant. How is that good in your world?”

I leaned in close, wondering how he could be so dense. “Because you don’t have to lose her. She could become more to you than just a friend.”

Noah frowned. “No. She’s my best friend. We can’t…“ He looked at me, his expression lost and a bit desperate. “When we were at Mom’s—”

“Hey, guys,” May said, walking over to join us. “What’s the serious discussion about?”

“Aubrey’s found a new job,” I said. “She’s leaving Noah.”

“Ah. And poor little Noah doesn’t have a clue why, does he?”

“Not a clue,” I said. I wasn’t worried. Noah was my big brother, the rock that never crumbled or swayed even under the beating of hurricane-force winds. He’d figure this out and he’d be fine. Everyone except him could see how great he and Aubrey would be together, maybe her leaving was just the push he needed to see it, too.

“Should I enlighten him?” May asked, her voice going giddy. She loved drama like a hog loved slop. “Explain to dear Noah what he’s been missing?”

“Noah is sitting right here,” he said, teeth gritted. “I’m glad you two find my life so amusing, but it is my life and none of your fucking business.”

He got up and stalked off. May sat down in his seat, unflustered by his angry tone. “He’s a little testy. Did he miss his nap today?”

I smiled at my little sister. When she wasn’t complaining about being in the middle of nowhere, she’d been a huge help and a cheerful one. She’d been just the cheerleader I needed and she’d had some great ideas about how I could win Carrie back. I owed her a lot.

“I don’t think he’s had a nap in decades.”

She smirked. “Or relaxed. Or had any fun. That’s why you’re my favorite brother.”

I rolled my eyes. “I just heard you tell Jared on the phone yesterday that he’s your favorite brother.”

Her smile widened. “Well, today you’re my favorite. Because you’re putting yourself out there, being brave and vulnerable and willing to change your whole life.”

“I’m not changing my whole life. Maybe just slowing it down a bit.”

“Exactly. I’m going to check in with Mary Ellen and see if she needs help with anything.”

I watched her go and kicked up my feet, certain that everything was about to come together exactly as it should.

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