Page 15 of Mine to Love
“Not at all. I’ll see you first thing in the morning for work.” Miles held out his fist.
Gabriel pounded it.
Miles leaned back on his elbows and let out a long breath. While he got Gabriel to understand his sister meant well and that maybe a conversation might be in order, Miles still had no idea what had upset the man in the first place.
And it wasn’t being spoken to like a child because it wasn’t that bad. Not to mention that it was all in the tone because of his emotions. Change the tone, and he wouldn’t feel like he was being treated differently.
But that was all beside the point.
Charlie had put Gabriel between a rock and a hard place and that was what had gotten Gabriel upset.
The floorboards rattled under his ass. He turned his head. “Hey,” he said, staring at Liberty’s sexy legs as she made her way down the steps.
He’d been instantly attracted to her from the moment he’d laid eyes on her two months ago. Lots of women turned his head, but not like Liberty and that was odd. He never went for women who had baggage and he could tell just by looking at her that she carried a few suitcases full.
For an entire month, he admired her from a distance while he got to know Gabriel. He sort of felt like a shithead for doing that. But then in walked her asshole ex-husband, reminding him of why he didn’t do women with a checkered past.
Only, he couldn’t keep his distance if he tried.
And he hadn’t tried all that much.
“I owe you an apology.” Liberty stretched out her legs.
“For what?”
“Eavesdropping.” She smiled sheepishly.
He shook his head. “Didn’t trust that I could calm him down?”
“Maybe.”
“I’ve told you about every issue he’s had at work.” Slowly, he rose. “I said I wouldn’t meddle. But fuck it. You’ve got to stop treating him like a child.” He held up his hand. “Stop coddling him. He’s been dealing with who he is for as long as you have. He’s got some coping skills. Let him use them and when he’s off the deep end, redirect.”
“He’s my brother.” She raised her hands and slapped them on her legs. “I love him and I watched him cry for months after our parents abandoned him. And again after I told him Charlie and I were getting divorced. I hate hurting him this way. So excuse me if I want to ease that pain for him and absorb it on myself.” She let out a long breath. “It’s not that I didn’t trust you. I wouldn’t be sending him off to work with you if I didn’t. There’s an adult program one town over that deals with adults on the low end of the spectrum, but I know he’s higher functioning thanthat and I didn’t want to do that to him. It’s what Charlie’s family did and honestly, Gabriel hated it.”
“Then why did you listen in on a private conversation?” Miles cocked his head.
“It started off as simply watching, but I became fascinated by how quickly you got Gabriel to sit with you. Not many people can do that. And then there was the conversation.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I have to know. Was all that stuff true?”
“Jesus. You honestly think I’d make that up?” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Don’t answer that. It’s late and I’m tired. I’ll see Gabriel at six for breakfast since I know you have the early shift.” He spun on his heel and strolled across the yards to his home. He no longer had the bandwidth to deal with her, or his attraction to her, a second longer.
4
Liberty poured herself two fingers of bourbon and took it outside. She leaned against the porch railing and stared across the lawn.
Miles’ home was so much nicer than hers with his new roof and siding, perfectly manicured lawn, and beautiful landscaping that he took care of himself. His grass was this picturesque green that belonged in a home and gardens magazine and all his bushes and trees were filled with bright colors that made her home look like one big turd, especially when she knew damn well the layout of both structures was almost identical.
Light filtered through the front windows of Miles’ house. Those were the family room and possibly the master bedroom.
He was still awake.
Fuck it. She wasn’t going to let this linger. She owed him an apology and dammit, she was going to give him one.
Tossing back her head, she downed a shot of courage. She set the tumbler on the small table and marched herself across the lawns, feeling the difference between her crunchy grass and his soft plush turf.
Lifting her hand, she pounded on the door.
It opened seconds later. Miles stood in the doorway wearing only his jeans, which weren’t buttoned, and he was barefoot.
