nothing on my way out. I was ready to get to the hotel and hop in a pool or a cold shower. My hired car was just pulling up to the curb when I stepped outside. I practically ran to get into the back of the car. I directed him to take me to the hotel without making any stops.
When I got to my room, I was stripping out of my clothes before the door closed behind me. I headed directly for the shower, stepping under lukewarm spray. The huge shower gave me ample room to turn and make sure every inch of skin was the recipient of the soothing spray.
After finally cooling off and feeling human again, I pulled on a pair of underwear and nothing else. I grabbed a beer from the minibar, not caring that it probably cost twenty bucks, and flopped down on the sofa. I had barely taken the first long drink when my phone began to vibrate on the table. I got up, expecting it to be Evie—hoping it would be Evie.
It wasn’t. It was a number with a whole lot of digits, which told me it was from overseas. There was only one person that could be. “Kade,” I said with a smile on my face.
“How did you know it was me?”
“Because if ISIS is calling me, we’ve got a problem.”
“How are you?” he shouted into the phone. He was clearly somewhere loud. I could hear a lot of background noise and the usual static.
“I’m good. I’m actually in Florida right now. What about you?”
“I’m in a place with a lot of fucking sand,” he said with a laugh. “I’m going to need to go through a pressure wash to get the sand out of my ass.”
I had to laugh. He managed to keep a positive attitude all the time. I knew it sucked where he was—wherever he was. He was never allowed to tell us exactly where, but I suspected Afghanistan. “I’ll be happy to shoot you with one. Spread your cheeks, little brother.”
His laughter broke up over the shitty connection. “Are you still living in San Diego or did you finally move?”
“I still live there, same house.”
“Mansion, you mean. You live in a fucking mansion.”
My house was not a mansion, not by far, but it was certainly bigger than any house we ever lived in growing up. “You can always come and live with me,” I offered.
“Yeah, right. These fuckers own me for another two years.”
I knew he loved being in the Marines. He would likely sign up for another four years when it came time. He was a lifer, career military, just like our father. “I can buy you,” I joked.
“Oh yeah, I forgot you had more money than God,” he joked.
“Not quite, but I’m working on it.”
He chuckled, the line crackling a little. “I’m coming home next month,” he announced. “I’m hoping I can see you.”
“Home to Cali or home to Oregon?” I questioned.
“Oregon,” he answered. “I don’t know if I can make it down there.”
“Kade,” I said. “If I go up there, it’s only going to cause drama. I don’t want to fuck up your time at home.”
“Just say yes. It’s been too long. There won’t be any drama. If there is, we’ll all get over it.”
“I’ll do what I can,” I said.
“Bullshit. That’s a pussy answer. Man up and face the guy. What’s the worst he can do?”
I scoffed. “Easy for the Golden Child to say.”
I waited for him to tell me to just do it. I waited several seconds.
“Hello? Kade, are you there?”
There was no answer. I put the phone down and leaned back against the couch. I was happy to see my little brother but not quite as thrilled to see our father. I knew his leave would be short. He wouldn’t have time to fly down to see me. The best-case scenario would be me going up there. That was about the last thing I wanted to do.
My brother was a good guy, but sometimes, it was hard to stand in his shadow all the time. Granted, he was about four inches shorter than me, but he was a Marine. In my father’s eyes, Kade walked on water. He was the golden boy. He was the son who made him proud. He carried on the family name and made sure the Holland family name would always be associated with service to our country.
“Fuck,” I groaned. I finished my beer and went in search of