Page 41 of Beneath the Midnight Sky
He grew serious for a moment and then nodded. “I’ll give her a call, but listen to me—if Ievercome to you looking for a favor, I don’t care what it is, be prepared to pay up.”
I smiled. “As if I wouldn’t have your back either way. Now, if you could wait an hour or so, then call, I’d appreciate it. Can’t have it be too obvious. She knows I’m here for lunch.”
Damien chuckled. “Speaking of, let me go get your burger. You’re going to need your energy if this is the way you’re planning on gettin’ the girl.”
He didn’t even know. This was only the beginning. I pulled out my phone and opened my messages with Wyatt.
Me: I’ve got a question.
Wyatt: Oh, another one? Is this more or less unhinged?
Me: ...
Wyatt: This doesn’t bode well for me, does it?
Me: Where does one get a tracker from?
Wyatt: …
Wyatt: What type of tracker, Rowan?
Me: One to… track someone?
Wyatt: I know a guy. I’ll have it to you by tonight.
Me: Perfect.
I slid my phone back into my pocket, just in time for Damien to come back with my burger.
“You look pleased,” Damien said.
“Very,” I replied with a smirk. I was beyond pleased. Everything was working out exactly the way I wanted. I glanced up at the clock on the wall. I had about thirty minutes before my appointment, so I dug into my burger and chatted with Damien while I ate.
Aspen hada shift to work tonight, so I dragged Theo with me into The Roadhouse so I couldcasuallywatch her and not seemlikethatmuch of a weirdo, even ifsheknew I was indeed that much of a weirdo.
“So, bro. What’s the new tat of?” Theo asked from beside me.
We were sitting at the bar, where it felt less obvious that I was there to stalk my future wife.
“Can’t show you yet,” I replied, while looking over the menu as if I didn’t already know everything on it.
“Why not?” he questioned. I understood his confusion. Theo and I were the two in the family who had multiple large pieces done. His mountains matched mine, but his were on his calf instead of his forearm. We’d gotten them together to honor our dad. So typically, he was the first one I showed a new tattoo to, or he’d go with me to sit and get them done.
“This one is different man. You’ll see it later, but not yet. Okay?” I said, giving him my serious big brother look.
He stared back and nodded. “Okay, okay. Can I ask one question, though? Is it gonna be super unhinged like what you planned with D earlier?”
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. Of course Damien had sent my unhinged behavior in the group chat with my brothers. I hadn’t been on my phone much, but I was just thankful that Wyatt had kept our conversation to himself. Couldn’t break the vow of secrecy between twins after all.
“It may or may not coincide with that,” I said quietly.
He laughed and smacked me on the back playfully. “Oh man, watching you fall in love has got to be the absolute best thing ever.”
“You wait till it happens to you. We’ll see who’s psycho and unhinged then,” I grumbled.
“Eh, not worried about it. There’s only one chick out there for me, and trust me when I tell you, if I found her again? Nothing could stop me from bringing her home and keeping her forever,” he said seriously.
I looked over at him, but even with the serious tone, he still seemed like normal goofy ass Theo. I shook my head. Being an older brother was wild sometimes.
