Page 17 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

“Well, I didn’t come here to discuss Mae, even though this has been an enlightening conversation.I came because we need to discuss you and your brothers.”

I bring my eyes back to my computer and let out a long sigh.Levi and Mark have destroyed at least three of my suits.Yesterday, I had to drive to Staunton to take them to the dry cleaners, and I’m not sure they’ll be able to salvage them.

“I’m saving their jobs, so I don’t see why I have to suck up to them.”

She didn’t say that, but I know that’s what she wants.For us all to love each other and sing kumbaya.And since I’m the one who left, it’s going to be me who has to give way, not them.

Mom lays a hand on my arm.“Seth, they love you.Dad wasn’t the only one who was hurt when you left.You’ve barely kept in touch with them.”

I swallow.She’s not wrong, but they didn’t exactly make an effort either.

“I called every week.”

“You called me.Not your dad.Not your brothers.Me.And you never came home.”

“I invited you all out to visit.I even offered to pay for it.You and Abi were the only ones who came.I can’t help that no one else wanted to see me.”

It sounds petty, but maybe my feelings were hurt too.No one understands why I didn’t want to come home, and they never made an effort to see me or talk to me either because they were angry I left.None of the rest of them had the same worry about getting stuck in poverty out here.And I realize they don’t remember the effects of it growing up like I did.It was a real concern.I probably should’ve worked through this with a therapist years ago, but I didn’t.So I still have the baggage.

Mom shakes her head.“I know you don’t see the depths of their pain, but if you’re going to make all these changes to this place, you need to heal those relationships.You talk about those boys you went to college with like they’re your brothers.Every time you bring them up, I see Noah’s jaw tick and Levi’s hands clench.”

If I let her, Mom will stay here all day and make me talk about my feelings, but I’m more of an action guy.“Mom, what do you want me to do?”

“Maybe not hide in your office all day.Those glamping tents arrived today.Levi, Dad, Noah, and Ethan are out there setting them up.Maybe you could go help.”

“I can do that.”I don’t want Mom to be disappointed in me, and part of me knows she’s right.I should be an adult and mend those relationships.

She places a hand on my shoulder.“And maybe you can dress a little more casual.”

I level her a look.“Nope.I’m proud of my success, and certain habits have gotten me here.I can never lose sight of who I want to be.So I wear suits.”

I don’t expect her to understand.Hell, half the time, I don’t even understand it, but as long as I keep wearing the suits and driving the fancy cars, I feel like I have control of my future, which is something I never felt here.

“Fair enough.But you should probably change before you go set up those tents, or you’ll ruin another one.”

“I don’t own a pair of jeans.”

“I’ve got you covered.”Mom winks as she stands.She then disappears and comes back a few minutes later with a t-shirt, jeans, and work boots.She gives me a kiss on the cheek and leaves again.I shut the door and change into the clothes she brought me.I stare at the Bass Pro Shop t-shirt and decide that my undershirt will work okay instead.

It’s not a long walk.We’re putting the glamping tents in front of the cabins, so they’ll only have a short walk to the lodge.The resort is busy today, and I have to avoid a volleyball game on the lawn.I toss a ball back to a pretty woman who winks at me before she goes back to the game.Normally, I’d be all over that, but she’s not Mae.

Levi’s face lights up as he spots me, and he raises a hand to greet me before playfully slapping Ethan on the chest.

Ethan snorts.“Look who deigned to join us mere mortals.Wearing the uniform of our people and everything.”He’s dressed in jeans and a tank top so the girls can ogle his muscles and tattoos.He’s got tons of them.

I roll my eyes.“How can I help?”

Dad pokes his head out of a tent.“Can you set the pegs?”

I head over to the pile of tools and dig out a mallet.I glance at the gazebo and spot Mae and Abi, and my heart stops.Mae’s wearing a tiny bright-blue bikini top and short shorts.I can only see her from behind, her long hair flowing down her back.I wonder what her skin would feel like if I helped her with her sunscreen.

“You know if Keith were here, he’d punch you in the nose for looking at his daughter that way.”Noah crosses his arms and smirks at me.

* * *

The tents go up quickly, and working with my brothers is far more entertaining than I thought it would be.A funny feeling settles in my gut.I missed out on a lot by being away, more than I probably realized.Noah curses every time something goes wrong and then apologizes to Dad.I’ve heard him say I’m sorry at least fifteen times, but Dad just chuckles.

My eyes flicker to the gazebo far more often than they should, and every time, someone catches me.It becomes a game to them, and Levi sprays me with the hose whenever my eyes wander.

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