Page 88 of His North Star
I shouldn’t be listening to this, but curiosity anchored my feet.
“No, I’m not,” Ty said, utterly defeated.
His voice cut through my core, gutting me. My feet moved on their own accord to offer him comfort.
“This is where you’re hiding,” I said, announcing my presence.
Ty jumped at the sight of me. His cheeks flushed. He looked at me like a deer in the headlights. “Just trying to set up my bed so I have somewhere to sleep tonight,” he rushed.
Wow. He sucked at hiding whatever that whole conversation had been about.
“Good plan,” I said nonchalantly. “Hey, Charlie,” I greeted Ty’s older brother, who looked a lot like Ty, with his blond hair, green eyes, and strong shoulders. He was taller than Ty by an inch or two, but not as muscular. A heavy beard coated his jaw, unlike Ty, who kept a mostly clean-shaven face, only letting his scruff grow out on occasion.
He stepped over to me, pulling me in for a hug. “It’s been too long, Ren Ren.”
I chuckled. “You are the only one who ever calls me that.” My face was smooshed against his chest.
“As it should be. People shouldn’t steal pet names.”
Charlie had nicknamed me Ren Ren the first time we met as kids. He never said the reason why. That’s just who Charlie was. A nickname fanatic. Ty was T-Bro, Lur-Blur, or man.
“What can I help unpack?” I asked Ty, figuratively and literally. That little spat between those two was something juicy, and I wanted in on this person Ty was too afraid to tell me about. Was it Jen? He’d been spending a lot of work hours with her.
“They brought up my wardrobe boxes.” Ty pointed to his closet. “Want to start hanging clothes?”
“Sure. Any particular organization method?”
He waved his hand, dismissing me. “I trust you to put things where they make the most sense.”
A slow, mischievous smile spread on my lips. “You do, huh?”
He eyed me. “I’m sure you could come up with something crazy, but please, for my sanity, stick to normal.”
“You’re no fun,” I taunted as I strode to the closet.
Six tall, giant boxes took up the middle of the room. I took out my key and tore into the tape, moving on to each subsequent box. I found his work attire and pulled out each piece.
Whoa!No wonder he rocked a suit. His tailor had him in Versace. I carefully hung each item of clothing, indulging in running my fingers across the soft fabric as I worked.
I was about to find Ty to ask where he wanted his jeans and gym shorts to go, since I didn’t see a dresser, when Charlie came strolling into the closet. He looked over his shoulder before pushing me to the back of the room.
“I’m glad I caught you alone for a minute,” he said.
My brows creased. What in the world? Normally, being locked in a closet with a man meant making out. Since Charlie was married, and most definitely not interested in me, I looked at him with confusion. “What are you doing?”
He quickly glanced back at the door. “Keep your voice down.”
“I will not—“
He cut me off. “I really shouldn’t say anything, but it’skillingme that Ty’s being so pragmatic.”
“What are you talking about?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Ty’s never been one to make a long-term commitment.”
“And?”
Way to state the obvious, Charlie. Though, in Ty’s defense, it hadn’t been for lack of trying. Ty had a few long-ish relationships since high school. For one reason or another, they hadn’t worked out, and not only because of Ty. Believe it or not, some of his exes had broken up with him. My track record wasn’t one to boast about either. So while Charlie may have had a point, my situation didn’t allow me to judge Ty.
