Page 60 of The Moment They Can't Forget

“Fine. Now back away before someone sees you.” She looked panicky, which annoyed him. He was a grown-assed adult and shouldn’t have to watch himself because her brothers were overprotective idiots.

He straightened, but only because he wanted to. “I can take care of myself and have been for years.”

“JD.”

He turned at the voice and saw the man in the suit from the game. Not just any man in a suit, but his brother, Henry. The jacket and tie were now gone. A few buttons were undone at the collar, and the sleeves of his expensive shirt were rolled. His attempt at looking casual failed. He stood out like a turd in a fruit bowl, which was Cill’s favorite saying.

Did people look at JD and see the same thing? The thought was not a happy one.

“What the hell are you doing here, Henry?”

“Who is he?” Zoe asked. “He came into Petticoat yesterday.”

“What?” He looked at Zoe.

“Him.” She pointed to Henry. “He came in asking where The Gnat was.”

“She said you weren’t working, so I stayed here at Circle Left, and today I found you at the game. This is the first chance I’ve had to speak with you, Julian.”

“JD,” he ground out.

“Right. JD.” Henry nodded.

“Your name is Julian? Huh, I’ve always wondered,” Zoe said. “Who is this guy?”

“What do you want, Henry?” JD said, ignoring her.

“I can’t come and see my big brother?”

“This is your brother?” Zoe asked.

“You haven’t bothered in years. Not sure why you would now.” JD knew his words came out coated in ice.

This man had once been the young boy he’d loved. They’d been close. He’d taken Henry everywhere with him when they were kids. He’d been his best friend until JD was sent away to school at the age of fourteen.

They’d stayed in touch and close until his father, Julian Hopper Sr. had embezzled company funds and got caught. He’d stolen from his friends too, and that JD could never forgive him for. Henry and their mother had stayed loyal to his father, and that was when the family split happened.

He’d left when his father had somehow walked free from the charges against him.

“Hi, I’m Zoe Duke.”

JD was nudged sideways, and she pushed herself in front of him. Holding out a hand, she shook Henry’s. “Nice to meet you properly.”

“I’m Henry Hopper, Jul—JD’s brother.”

Zoe shot him a knowing smile over her shoulder. “Nina and Cill have been trying to find out your name for years.”

“You say anything to anyone, and I’ll make you pay.” He glared back at her as he moved to her side.

“So, Henry. Why are you in Lyntacky?” Zoe asked.

“I’ve come to see my brother.”

“Well now, how nice,” she said with a lovely smile that was never directed his way. “We’re all about family connections here in Lyntacky. I have four brothers.”

Henry returned the smile, and JD scowled. “What do you want, Henry?”

His brother ran his eyes up and down JD, and he knew the changes in him since they’d last seen each other were vast. The tattoos, for one. They’d been something he’d done since walking away from his family, and the beard. Facial hair had not been acceptable in the Hopper family.

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