Page 49 of Lane

“I’m still jealous,” he pouted. “I enjoy helping people, but the damn legwork can be so boring.”

“It’s not like Reghan and I are living it up. We’re sitting in the living room with you.”

“That makes me feel a little better. Hey, I heard you met Alton’s sister.”

I nodded. “And her husband. He tried to threaten Lane and me, saying we better treat Alton well, like I’d do anything else.”

“Alton seemed happy when he left yesterday morning,” Barrett said. We’d run into him in the hallway.

Grinning, I replied, “Of course, he was.”

Reghan and I had been close all our lives. When he started seeing Barrett, I knew things would change. I also knew it was time for me to get off my ass and do something about Lane and Alton. If only it had been that easy for me to do so. Reghan was moving forward with his life. I had to do the same. I still had the hurdle of making Alton feel included.

Jealousy was a feeling I understood. I couldn’t stand the thought of Lane and Alton fooling around without me, so it was all or none of us. Alton’s feelings were different. He thought he didn’t belong. I’d wanted him for years, but the sting of rejection festered inside of me.

“Hey,” Reghan said as he nudged my foot with his. “Are you okay?”

I didn’t hesitate to answer him. Whatever I said would stay in this room. “Alton’s worried he doesn’t fit with us because Lane and I are here, and he’s not. With me guarding Lane now, that means we’re together more. I told Alton that’s work, and he knows how seriously I take my job. We want him here whenever he can be. Jordan has no issue with him. Alton has access. I’m not sure what to do until he understands we desire him as much as we do each other.”

Barrett leaned against my brother’s other side. It was a good thing they had a sectional so we could easily fit. “I don’t think your words are enough. You have to show him. He probably thinks you two are spending quality time together during the day. The reality is much less glamorous. Not what I experience daily out in the city making sure people love and appreciate Jordan.”

I tried hard not to laugh. Poor Barrett wanted in on the action.

Reghan put his arm around Barrett’s shoulders. “Jordan told you he’d use your skills when need be.”

“Great, I can’t wait for six months to go by before I hold a gun for something other than keeping my skills sharp. Yippee,” he deadpanned.

“I like knowing you’re safe.”

“Ditto, yet I can’t be there to watch your back.”

They kept talking, while I was glad I was in the position I was. Lane would have me to protect him every time he left the building. Right now, he was upstairs meeting with Jordan. There was no wondering if Lane was safe when he went out. I knew firsthand, but Alton didn’t. He had no way of seeing or understanding what we did. It was confidential and we couldn’t and wouldn’t break Jordan’s trust.

Lifting my phone from the couch cushion, I took a quick photo of my brother and Barrett and sent it to Alton.

Me: Where I am. How about you?

He texted back a photo of the view outside his office in his practice. It was of his vehicle and others in the parking lot.

Alton: You win.

This was the least I could do—include him in our day. It also showed I didn’t spend all of my free time with Lane.

Alton: Where’s Lane?

Me: Upstairs with the boss.

Alton: I have more patients to see. Tonight?

Me: We’ll be waiting.

I swore my mom had fucking radar because she texted me right after I messaged Alton. It was as if she knew the phone was in my hand.

Mom: It’s your father's birthday this weekend. We’re having a party. I expect you there with your boyfriends.

I put the phone down and glared at my brother, but he only had eyes for Barrett, so I kicked Reghan.

“What the fuck?” He shoved my shoulder.

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