Deadly Coincidence (Brantley Walker Off the Books #4) - Nicole Edwards Page 0,14

nose to the grindstone when it mattered.

Of course, today wasn’t a grindstone day, and honestly, he had no idea why any of them were here, aside from the fact it was familiar. Like Brantley said, it was Christmas Eve, and they should’ve all been at their respective homes, enjoying a day off, time with family or whatnot. Then again, they were family in a sense, so getting together whether for work or for play usually resulted in a good time.

Baz obviously realized Brantley was still waiting for an answer and would continue to wait no matter the banter leading up to it, because rather than sit in his chair, he perched on the edge of his desk.

“Figured I’d spend a coupla hours here, then head over to my mother’s.”

“Doin’ Christmas at her place this time?”

Baz shook his head, sipped from a travel mug he’d brought with him. “Dinner’ll be at my dad’s, like always. My mother’ll be there, too. I spend Christmas Eve with her. It’s tradition. She’ll make a homemade pizza. We’ll watch a movie. Usually It’s a Wonderful Life but this year I think she’s going with Elf.” He grinned. “Before you ask, I have no clue what that says about her mental state.”

“Y’all are close,” Reese acknowledged.

“We are, yeah.” He took another sip from his mug. “What about y’all? What’s the plan for your first Christmas Eve together?”

“Just chillin’,” Brantley answered, glancing over at Reese. “Maybe we’ll watch a movie.”

Reese chuckled. “Yeah? You think you can sit still that long?”

“No one said anything about sittin’ or bein’ still.”

Realizing what kind of movie he was referring to, Reese felt his face heat, the tips of his ears all but catching fire.

Baz laughed, obviously understanding and thankfully changing the subject. “And tomorrow? Y’all’ve got the fam thing goin’?”

“Yep.” Brantley turned his attention back to Baz. “Big breakfast at my folks’ place, then we’ll head up to Dallas for dinner.”

“Sounds like a full day,” Baz mused.

That it would be. And oddly enough, Reese found he was looking forward to it. While he had dreaded Thanksgiving, not knowing what to expect at his first meal with Brantley’s family, he now knew he had nothing to worry about. Being with Brantley’s branch of the family tree was much like the time he spent with Curtis and Lorrie and their wild and rambunctious crew. Seemed with the Walkers, no matter which group, it was about getting together, laughing, joking, and enjoying one another’s company.

And while he knew they’d have a good time, he was definitely eager to see his mother, to spend some time with Z and Jensyn. His brother and sister would be joining them for the festivities, as would Z’s husband RT. Also in attendance would be Reese’s mother’s long-term boyfriend, who Reese was no longer leery of but still a bit uncomfortable around due to the fact he didn’t really know the guy.

“Full weekend,” Reese told him. “We’re gonna stay up there for a coupla days. Back here on Monday.”

“And y’all are here this mornin’ because…?”

“Bored,” Reese admitted. “Catchin’ up on a few things.”

Baz lifted his mug in a mock toast as he stood and walked around behind his desk. “Same.”

Reese watched as the man’s gaze swung to the second-floor loft. He figured JJ was the real reason Baz was here today. Everyone knew she was spending the holidays alone. Her preference, she had informed them. While Reese knew nothing about JJ’s personal life—the woman did not disclose much to anyone—he knew she didn’t have a close relationship with her mother or father and rarely saw them.

“Don’t worry about her,” Brantley said softly, clearly seeing Baz’s concern. “We’re gonna make her go with us.”

Reese grinned, took a sip of his coffee. He knew Brantley wasn’t kidding. He’d already stated he had every intention of forcing JJ to go with them to both family meals, even if he had to hogtie her and put her in the truck.

Reese only hoped it didn’t come to that.

*

After spending most of the day fucking off, doing not much of anything at all, Brantley was happy to sit down in his living room with Reese, watch the television he’d been convinced he needed to buy to fill up the space. He’d been quite content with the bare minimum in terms of furniture and only one television in the house, but evidently it was customary to furnish the family spaces, as Reese referred to them.

Brantley had conceded to Reese’s demand for a couch and a coffee