Page 87 of Her Brother's Keeper

“Think I’ve been doing pretty well so far,” I said.

“Weren’t no accusations comin’ out my mouth otherwise, kid. You been doin’ alright, for all I ain’t been paying much attention on account of my own thing going on over here.” He frowned and I held up a hand.

“Family looks good on you, brother. I’m glad things are working out for you and Mel.

“Thanks,” he said and dragged open the bathroom door.

“No problem,” I muttered and went on through.

We found our ol’ ladies and the boys in the lodge’s main room, parked in front of a big screen TV just getting started on a movie. Sage had bounced back, smiling and laughing with Connor at one end of the couch, while Maren sat huddled in one of the recliners. Her eyes traveled over my face and came to rest on the scraped and bloodied knuckles of my left hand. Sorrow passed through her eyes which she tried to cover with a brave smile.

“Work things out?” she asked softly, and Archer answered before I could.

“Not yet, but trust me, they will. They always do.”

I appreciated Archer’s attempt at comfort. I knew it wasn’t his strong suit, and I had to give Melody a wink. She was changing my hard-assed older brother, and the changes were good.

I went to the recliner and held out a hand. Maren took it and stood and I sat down in her place, pulling her into my lap, kissing the top of her head.

“What’re we watching?” I asked and Sage piped up.

“Night of the Living Dead!”

Zombie apocalypse. Cool.

***

About three or four torturous days after the lake run, I finally went out to Rush’s shop to see if peace could be had. I hated being at odds with my twin. It fucking sucked massive dick, and truthfully it sucked the balls too that he hadn’t reached out to me…

He sat at his workbench, hand carving a service tray with flowers and vines, and I leaned a hip against the edge of the bench, arms crossed over my chest.

“What’s that?” I asked, just to break the ice and get the conversation going.

“You wanted me to fucking apologize, what’s it look like?”

“That’s for Maren?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

A long silence stretched out between us, and I sighed.

“Look –” I started but he shook his head.

“No need. You were right... I am jealous, I guess. It’s like you and Arch have both got just about everything I’ve wanted and are leaving me in the dust, and it sucks.”

I blinked, stupefied, and it was out of my mouth before I could stop myself, “Seriously? That’s what you think? That I’m trying to shut you out? Dude, Rush… Maren and Sage are basically my family now and as cool as it is, it scares the fuck out of me too.”

He looked up at me and scowled, “Why? You fuckin’ got this.”

I raised my eyebrows, “Glad you fuckin’ think so douche nozzle! Shit. Feels like I’m flyin’ by the seat of my pants and seriously feels like you’re shoving me away over it. You’re my goddamn fuckin’twin, Rush. I ain’t interested in gaining over there while I’m losing over here.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and chewed his split lip, “You ain’t losing shit over here; you greedy fuck.”

“Fuckin’ straight! You heard that right, I want my cake and I’m gonna eat it too.”

Rush smirked and pressed his mouth shut, trying not to laugh and I felt my face split into a fuckin’ mile wide grin.

“Just fuckin’ say it you perverted fuck. We shared a goddamn womb for nine months and I know what you’re thinkin’.”

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