slipping into her car and driving away.
And this is why I shouldn’t have slept with her, I thought. Because doing so made things awkward for us, and we had a job to do.
But I’d have to overcome the awkwardness. There was no way around it. I’d made the decision to get Calvin a dog to help him, and Danielle was the best trainer in the area. I wasn’t backing out now.
I stepped out of the truck and walked into the house just as Eli was heading out.
“Hey, man, don’t forget we have Tucker White coming tomorrow.”
I flinched. Dammit. “What time again?”
“10:30 in the morning.”
“Fuck,” I said out loud.
Eli’s gaze narrowed and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “What?”
“I have something to do at eleven tomorrow.”
“Seriously, Mason? What’s her name?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The girl you’re choosing over your family,” he accused. “She must be pretty special to pull you out of your dry spell at last.”
“It wasn’t a fucking dry spell, man. And you know it.”
He knew about Katie. Maybe he didn’t know all the details, but he knew why I didn’t date and why I had no desire to get into a long-term relationship.
“Sure, well, obviously you’re in an oasis of pussy now, bro.”
His complete dismissal of everything I’d gone through pushed me over the edge. I slammed Eli up against the wall, holding him by his shoulders.
“What the hell is your problem?” Eli asked, pushing me back. He was strong enough to hold his own against me. I let him go at the same time, realizing what I’d done, and stumbled backward.
Eli came toward me, his fists balled up at his sides. My fists were also balled, ready to throw down if it came to that. I was never much of a fighter, especially with my brothers, but the thought of Katie lingered in my head, the pain almost as fresh as the day she’d died.
“What’s going on?” Graham’s voice stopped us both.
I looked over my shoulder to find him walking toward the house. My older brother was as large as the rest of us, over six feet of muscle. He and Sam were twins, but not completely identical.
Graham was also the leader of our merry band of brothers. He was usually the one holding us together, but lately, he was caught up in his own little world. He had a baby on the way and less time to spend on the family business.
“Nothing, man,” Eli muttered, pushing past me as he stomped down the stairs. “I’m outta here. I have to pick up some equipment for a job next week. A job I'm working alone.”
Eli glared at me before getting into his truck. Graham met me on the stairs.
“What’s his deal?” he asked as Eli peeled out of the driveway.
“He feels like we’re not devoted enough to the business,” I said softly.
“Sam and I have some stuff going on right now, but we’re still devoted,” Graham defended.
“I know, so am I. I just have some stuff too.”
“Oh yeah?” Graham gave me a sideways glance.
“Yeah,” I said, and left it at that.
Ooo000ooo
“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” Danielle said as she opened the door for us. She smiled brightly at Calvin, her blue eyes barely looking in my direction.
Calvin shook her hand. “The pleasure is all mine, dear.”
“Come on in, you two,” she said, motioning for us to step inside. “Would you like something to drink? I have coffee, tea, water, soda, you name it.”
“A coffee would be great,” Calvin said. “Black. No sugar or cream necessary.”
“Alrighty then, just have a seat right here, and I’ll get you a coffee. Mason?” She finally turned those baby blues my direction.
“Yes?”
“Would you like anything?” Her smile had faded, and she averted her gaze as soon as I looked at her. There’s that awkwardness, I thought to myself.
“Uh, no thank you, I’m fine.”
“Just one sec,” she said, stepping out of the living room and into the kitchen down the hall. I could hear her moving around, opening cabinets, the sound of glass on the counter.
Calvin had taken a seat in a nearby chair. There was only the couch left, which would mean I’d be sitting next to Danielle if we both sat, and I feared she might stand if I took a seat. So I stood near the fireplace, checking out the pictures above the mantle. They were mostly of Skyler, including some of when she was a baby. There was one where Danielle was holding a