Page 64 of Hearts of Fairlake

"Absolutely none taken," he said with a chuckle.

"I just...I worry. I know you don't want me to, but I do."

"And maybe just like you've learned to let people help you, so have I. Maybe we've both learned a thing or two about growing up and understanding that letting people help isn't a sign that we don't know what we're doing or that we're weak, but that we're loved."

"Maybe we did at that," I said with a smile.

"Then yes, I'm sure this is what I want to do right now, and I'm sure it was the right decision," he said, his eyes softening. "And you should see him, Grant. He reminds me of us at that age. I'm glad you're going to meet him today."

That surprised me. “You're bringing him to the festival? I thought you were trying to keep things quiet for him a little longer?"

Felix gave a helpless shrug. “Well, that was our original plan. But then Gray heard about the festival, and it was the first time he’d shown real interest in anything other than sleeping. Which is saying something because he...doesn't say much."

"Really?"

"Really. He's not much of a talker, which you'd think would work with Luke instead of me because I'm way moreyappy than he is, but I guess all those years of dealing with you have made me pretty good at reading between the silent lines."

"I can't tell if that is supposed to be an insult, so I’ll stick with 'you are welcome' instead."

Felix stared at me for a moment before letting out a snort. “I don't know why because you'd think I'd have adjusted by now, but you'd think I'd have gotten used to the fact that your sense of humor has been growing in recent years. But it keeps catching me off guard."

"Sylas says it's a lifetime work in progress."

"Make it two."

"I have no idea why everyone thinks you're the better brother. You're as rude as others have accused me of being."

Felix pushed away from the table with a laugh. “That's because I'm adorable. Luke tells me that all the time, and since I've never known him to lie, who am I not to believe him?"

"Someone who desperately wants their husband to tell them they're cute."

"What, and you don't like it when Sylas calls you cute?"

"No," I said honestly. "He doesn't, and it would be strange if he did."

"Hmm," he said after a moment and then nodded. "Yeah, someone sentimental and mushy wouldn't be a good fit for you."

"People like that don't typically want to be around me for long," I agreed.

"He probably tells you your dick is amazing and that you're hot," Felix said to my horror but not surprise. "And I bet you act bashful about it most of the time, but deep down, there's a part of you that lives for it when he does that kind of shit."

"And brotherly bonding time has come to an end forsome reason," I muttered. "Now, if you would kindly go see if Louise needs any help, that would be appreciated. I need to focus on this pie while juggling everything else that needs to be done today."

The cackle he gave helped something slide into place in my chest and I found myself calm once more as I resumed my work.

"Bread!Pastries! Muffins! Slices of pie! Come get all that and more!" Louise called out merrily beside me, making me wince as I wondered if my hearing was going to survive the day or if I was going to end up with hearing aids by the end of the weekend.

"I don't think they heard you in the next county," Sylas told her from where he was lounging in one of the foldable lawn chairs Louise had packed for when we didn't need to be on our feet. "Perhaps we could get you a bullhorn so they could hear you down in Denver."

"Don't encourage her," I complained, gently rubbing my ringing ear. "And, Louise, please warn me before you start shouting again. I would rather keep my hearing if it's all the same to you."

"Does that mean there's something wrong with being deaf?" a new voice piped up, and I looked over to see Ayla watching me with a smirk.

"If I could avoid it, I would. I'd rather not add to the problems I already have," I told her without batting an eye. I had come to know Ayla fairly well over the past few years, not enough to know everything, but enough to know that, like so many people in my life, she was prone to teasing and taunting.

"That your way of telling me that if you had the chance toget rid of what makes you special, you would?" she asked, cocking her head.

"Absolutely," I said without hesitation. "It would have made my life far simpler."

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