Page 90 of Denim & Diamonds

When we showed up at the cabin, Trevor and Axe were already working. I braced myself for the ball-busting I knew was to come.

Trevor put his tool down the moment he spotted us. “Hey, Fancy Pants. Brock didn’t tell me you were coming this weekend.” He turned to me. “And I thought you told me you wouldn’t be here today? To what do we owe the honor of your presence?”

“It was sort of a last-minute decision,” I said. “February’s idea, actually. She wanted to experience a day in the life…”

“Well, welcome back to Meadowbrook,” he said to her.

“Thank you. It’s good tobeback.”

“I have to say, I wasn’t sure I’d see you around these parts again. I think Brock has been holding back a bit.”

She looked at me. “Brock and I are trying out the long-distance thing, actually.”

“Well, looks like we have a lot to catch up on, brother…” Axe looked at me and smirked. “I’m always the last to know anything around here. Comes with being the youngest.” He nodded. “Anyway, good to see you, February.”

“Thank you. Meadowbrook is much more interesting in the daytime. I want you guys to put me to work.” She smiled proudly. “I want to help.”

She was adorable, but this was going to be a disaster.

Trevor’s eyes widened. “Uh…okay. You serious?”

I flashed him a warning look, hoping he wouldn’t taunt her.

I ended up assigning February a few simple tasks, like transporting logs from point A to point B, figuring that was harmless enough.

“When did you get in?” Trevor asked February as she carried one of the logs over to him.

“Just last night. I called Brock in the afternoon when I booked my flight so he could pick me up from the airport.”

“No wonder Brock left the worksite early yesterday,” Axe teased. “He had a special delivery.”

“He was all friendly toward the latter half of the day, too, remember?” Trevor added. “Now it makes sense.”

My brothers were making me out to be a lovesick sap, even if all of that was true.

“It’s none of your business anyway, you boneheads. I don’t have to tell you my every move.”

“Brock doesn’t like to talk about you because he thinks we’ll tease him, but in all honesty, we’re happy for you guys,” Axe said.

“You see, February, Brock actually has a very good reason to be cautious with information pertaining to his personal life,” Trevor explained. “He was traumatized as a child when his feelings were outed in front of his entire class.”

February frowned as she looked over at me. “What do you mean?”

I rolled my eyes and braced for the embarrassment.

“Brock tried to pass a letter to his childhood crush in grade school,” Trevor continued. “The teacher caught him and read the letter to the entire class. Ever since then, he’s kept his romantic interests to himself for the most part. That’s why we always have to dig for information.”

She covered her mouth to keep from laughing. “Oh no.”

I had a feeling this wasn’t the last of the embarrassing stories they planned to share today.

Unfortunately, February encouraged it. “I wouldloveto hear more stories from Brock’s childhood.”

“Brock’s childhood was before my time, sadly,” Axe said. “But, Trevor, you must have more stories to share.”

“I have plenty…” Trevor chuckled. “Like the time Brock decided to cut his own bangs. He looked like Jim Carrey inDumb and Dumber.”

February cackled.

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