Page 16 of The Sculptor

Trust me. I’ve fucking tried to get Ramsey out of my head.

I’ve tried to date women for longer than a season.

But then the season changes and brings the sound of her screams and the coldness of her tears. My brothers should know we all have demons—I’ve just hidden mine better than they have. Vance thinks he knows everything that went down between Ramsey and me, but I left out the part that keeps me awake at night—the part that keeps me waiting for her return.

“Astor needs us to watch Tatum while he helps Keagan with funeral arrangements this morning. Remington said you don’t have any patients until this afternoon.”

He doesn’t ask if I’ll come. He knows I will.

“We’ll leave as soon as I’m done with my patient.”

I nod. “I’ll be ready.”

Thankfully, Vance closes the door and leaves. I figure I have about half an hour before he’s done with his patient and ready to leave for Astor’s, who I need to check on, anyway. My eldest brother hadn’t taken care of himself while on a mission trip overseas and collapsed when he returned recently. Astor swears he’s fine now and has everything handled regarding the baby and Keagan, but we’re Potters—we ignore our problems until it’s too late.

So, just in case Astor isn’t as fine as he would like us to believe, we’ll keep a close eye on him and offer support where we can, which isn’t much. But it’s something.

As promised, Vance returns to my office immediately after his patient leaves. “Remington is handling the phones,” he says by way of a greeting. “We’ll take my car.”

I’m too tired to argue. “Sure.”

I grab my phone and keys, but not before locking my desk drawers.

Vance’s brows rise. “Paranoid Remington might steal a fifty-dollar ring?”

“It was seven hundred dollars, smartass. But no, I’m not scared he’ll steal it.” I cast Vance a knowing look. “I’m ensuring he won’t do your bidding while I’m gone.” I know my brother, and if he thinks me having this ring is unhealthy, he’ll get rid of it—no questions asked. He would claim it was for my own good, just like I did for him not long ago. So I put nothing past him.

Vance grins, not bothering to defend himself. Instead, he holds the door open and shrugs. “How about you donate it, then?”

“No.”

He closes the door behind us as we walk toward the parking garage. “I hate to break it to you, little brother, but you can’t use it again. Women frown upon second-hand engagement rings. Besides, you can afford something nicer now.”

“I don’t need to buy anything nicer since I never plan on getting married,” I argue. “Let me keep my spank bank toys, brother, and I won’t tell Halle about yours.”

The thing about being ten months younger than your middle brother is that, at some point, you shared a room. In my and Vance’s case, it was a college dorm.

Vance doesn’t want to go to war with me over a bullshit diamond ring. It may have caused strife in our relationship, but he needs to know I’m not budging. I’m not parting with the ring.

“Are you threatening me?” Vance chuckles. “Fine, keep your little bauble. Just make sure your unhealthy obsession stays focused ononlythe ring.” He cuts me a look. “Leave Ramsey alone, Duke. She’s moved on. You should follow suit.”

But I won’t. I can’t.

Because he’s right, I have an unhealthy obsession, and it’s not with the engagement ring. “I will,” I lie. “It was just weird seeing her again after all these years.”

Vance nods and claps me on the shoulder as we shuffle into the garage elevator. “How about you come to the house after work and have a drink?”

I’d rather not, but Vance’s tone isn’t all that negotiable. “Sure.”

At my acceptance, Vance visibly relaxes, leaning against the elevator wall, all cool and casual. “Great. Just so there’s no miscommunication, I’m not changing diapers when we get to Astor’s.”

I turn my head and grin. “I hope that’s not why you insisted I come with you. I’m great at many things, but changing diapers is not one of them.”

Vance grins. “We’ll convince Halle to…”

My phone buzzes, and I tune out the rest of Vance’s words.

Because there on my screen is a text that releases something in my soul.

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