Page 53 of Benga's Rise
He smiles at me and starts eating. “You do know you broke two of the Little Brother rules, right?” I get a scared look, but no tears are with it.
“I hurt a girl with my words and I’m not at school learning all I can.”
Cort smiles.“You’re good at the rule thing. I’m going to give you another. Believe in your Brothers, they'll always have your back. Because you didn’t believe in Raid, Patcher, me and even Freedom, you were worried and blew off school. You’re not alone anymore, Leo. We’ll always have your back.”
Leo nods watching Cort. “That’s a hard one.”
I smile. “It is, but you can do it. I believe in you. I was going to have lunch at your school today. We have a fishing day planned and I told you I’d come watch your lesson. Never, did I think I wouldn’t see you at any of those places or times.”
Cort nods. “Seren said she’s making pizza bites with you on Sunday morning. She believes in you too. Oh yeah,” he pulls a box from his pocket, “I thought I’d be seeing you at lunch too. I am, but it’s not at the school.”
“The watch. See, you always tell me right. Thank you, Cort. I won’t lose it. I’ll be careful with it like the phone.”
“Good. Always respect gifts because someone thought you are important enough to even think about giving it to you.”
“I’m important? I’m just a kid.”
I laugh. “No, you’re our Little Brother Leo, that is smart, remembers everything and works hard to show he appreciates everything he’s taught. You’re just as important as I am. You’re just a smaller version.”
He looks at Freedom with a beaming smile. “I’m important like you, Freedom.”
She laughs. “You always have been, Leo. You just didn’t know it. I’m glad you learned it now.”
“Me too. Look at my watch. Cort gave me two gifts.” His head whips around. “Thank you for thinking of me, Cort. I’ll show I appreciate it.”
Cort laughs. “I bet you will, Little Brother.”
Freedom leaves us saying she has an errand. Leo plays with his watch eating a chip in between talking about it. From what he’s saying, it’s like a phone. I blow out a breath and Cort hits my shoulder. “Good job, Brother. I have two watches to deliver. I have Pablo with me.”
“Thanks, Brother.”
He smiles standing up. “Always. Lorelei called and let them know he’s not going back today.”
I throw him chin. Texting Lorelei, I let her know I’ll have him until he’s due at the office. She texts back that once she knew I had him, she wasn’t worried. I’m relieved that this isn’t a fight. Then I smile. Maybe she’s getting it and will start letting shit go. It took me months, but I’ve got time.
I have a meeting with Banks and Jinx at the Credit Union that was an old bank, so we hang out at the pizzeria until almost one. I leave a big tip for them leaving us alone and Sammy laughs at me.
At the Credit Union, Banks gets Leo a hard hat and we walk through as he tells me what they’re doing. It’s all cosmetic and wiring, so it will be done this week. Paul has got this down to a science. The man doesn’t do wait. No one comments on Leo being here, so they must know why he’s here. They talk to him, calling him Little Brother and it seems to make him happy.
We leave the Credit Union and head to the office. “Your shift is starting soon.”
He smiles looking out the window. “I’m still working,” he whispers.
When I walk in, I’m surprised to see Lorelei. “Hade called when you were close.”
I nod and she pulls Leo into a hug. “I’m so sorry. I should have let you call Raid last night. When we get home, you can have your phone back so you can call whoever you need to hear.”
He cries an apology for yelling at her and swearing. I watch them smiling. They’ll get it.
The Prospect hands me tissues and I hand them over. Tissues are something we need to stock up on. I think of the order and who does that.
“Raid, I’m sorry for what I said. Will you please move back to your house with us? We obviously need you.” That sweet calm gets me.
I laugh. “I think I can do that.”
Leo is climbing up me so I hug him to VP cheers making me laugh more. Fucking Brothers.
