with my life. I mean…” Sometimes Kingston is so easygoing, he makes it too comfortable to unload on him.
“I’m not quite sure you understand that you’re not hiding your feelings for Colton from anyone. Maybe they’re new to you, but all of us have always known.”
I throw the beer cap at him and he catches it flawlessly. Too bad he couldn’t have continued with baseball and gone pro like Austin wanted him to do instead of endangering his life every smoke jumping season as though he doesn’t care whether he lives or dies.
“What happened to my brother who doesn’t want to talk about shit? You just threw two axes my way. You trying to open me up?”
He chuckles and sets his beer on the table, lifting his phone from the table. “I like Colton and I think you’re making a huge mistake by letting him marry that French chick.”
“Her name is Brigette.”
“Her name should be stuck in the middle. She probably has no idea what she’s in the middle of between you two. It’s always been you and Colton. Hell, he taught me how to shave. Remember that?”
I laugh because I remember when Colton offered without me even asking. Austin was so busy raising all of us and the twins were causing trouble somewhere and Kingston was being made fun of about his barely-there mustache. “I do.”
“I still managed to cut myself five times.”
“Maybe he wasn’t that good of a teacher.”
“I think if you really dig deep, you’re going to figure out the date you should be on tonight is with Colton.”
“Are you attending psychology classes in your free time?”
He shakes his head and picks up his phone. “Nah, but I have a lot of time for self-examination in my job. I think I’m growing up even though you guys still think of me as some ten-year-old.”
I finish my beer as the buzzer of our door rings.
Kingston stands. “I got this.”
“You’re going to act like the overprotective brother?” I follow him to the door.
“For Colton’s sake. Yes.” He presses the buzzer with a, “What?”
I roll my eyes.
Kingston presses the button to let in my date. I forgot I had wanted to ask Kingston something else. I thought of a way to salvage my business since I’m now going on a date with my only potential client.
“Hey, I was thinking that to drum up some business, maybe I’d host a speed dating night up in Anchorage. Try to get some more business there.”
“Lame,” Kingston says.
“Lame? What’s lame about that?”
“Because we’re not in the eighties anymore. No one wants to go to a bar and be forced to talk to someone they don’t like for five minutes.”
The knock on the door makes the nerves in my stomach rumble.
“I’ll think of something though,” Kingston says, straightening his back and puffing out his chest.
He opens the door. Jason stands there looking a lot like he did the day he came into my office, except his jeans aren’t as worn, and instead of a T-shirt, he’s wearing a button-down with the arms rolled up to his elbows.
“You want to date my sister?” Kington asks.
I mouth “sorry” behind his back.
“I’m Jason.” He puts out his hand.
Kingston shakes it. I should tell my brother he’s not very intimidating without his smoke jumper outfit.
“Kingston. Juno’s brother.” He steps aside and Jason walks in.
Our apartment is small. Two bedrooms, a living room, dining area, and galley kitchen. We share a bathroom, but Kingston’s not here for weeks at a time, so that makes it easier. I feel a little self-conscious though. I’m sure Jason has some great place since he’s an eye doctor.
“Nice to meet you,” Jason says before his gaze lands on me. “Hey, Juno. You look great.”
I opted for a spring dress and a jean jacket. It’s nice outside, but the nights still get pretty cold. “Thank you. You too.”
I look at Kingston when he fails to leave us alone. He’s not exactly the intimidating presence he thought he could be. Then again, he’s never been the overprotective brother to me. I never gave him much reason to be one either.
“We should go,” I say, eyeing Kingston.
“Nice to meet you,” Jason says to him once we’re on the other side of the door.
“Can’t say the same.” Kingston taps the edge of the door and it shuts in our faces.
He didn’t just do that. My brother was brought up with manners.
“I’m sorry.” I give Jason an embarrassed smile.
Jason returns my smile and opens the door to go down