"I can't," she said. "She's always had this thing about how we had to work out our differences without yelling or violence."
"How exactly does she think you're supposed to do that?" I asked because that didn't make sense to me.
"By talking," she replied, her tone as arid as the desert.
"You mean shouting?" I asked.
"Nope. Talking. Calmly and reasonably about why we were upset with the other person and resolving the issue with compromise and love."
I scoffed. "Screw that. Total annihilation is the only way to go."
I heard Ben snort next to me and shot him a look. He just grinned at me as if he wasn't concerned.
"Today, I'm going to settle for not having to stare at my brother's face across the dining room table at lunch. If you want, I can swing back by and pick you up."
I really appreciated her offer, but I didn't want her to have to potentially deal with J.J. and her mother.
I waved a hand even though she couldn't see it. "Don't worry about it. I'll get Brody or your mom to drop me off at the shop. Besides, if I leave now, who will make your brother squirm?"
Ben pointed to his chest, as if to say he would be happy to give me a ride. I winked at him, which made him grin again.
"Let me know if that changes," she said.
"Roger that, Ghostrider." I hung up just in time for J.J. to come back inside. Brody was still standing on the back deck, staring out into the backyard. "Feel better?" I asked J.J. sweetly, but I knew my smile was scalpel-sharp.
He sighed. "I know I screwed up, okay? I'm going to call Cam in a bit. You don't have to read me the riot act."
"Who's reading anything?" I asked, patting his shoulder as I walked to the back door. "Though I did promise your sister I would make you squirm. Maybe I should tell your mom about the time you went skinny dipping with Christina Marins."
J.J. hunched his shoulders and scuttled by me.
"Oh, that was a good one," Ben murmured as he moved to come with me. "Be sure to mention the pictures."
I glanced over my shoulder at him. "Do you mind if I talk to your brother alone for just a second?"
His hazel eyes were keen as he met my gaze. "Planning on making him squirm, too?" he asked.
I shook my head. "I just want to help him. I think he might be good for Cam."
Ben smiled, it was small but sweet, almost boyish. "Fine. I'll give you three minutes."
I grinned back. "More than long enough."
I walked outside and approached Brody. "Hey, you okay?" I asked him.
"Yeah," he answered softly. "Just wondering if I made a mistake yesterday when I took Cam to the movies."
I shook my head. "No way." I hesitated. I didn't want to break the girl code, but I was afraid Brody would back off and hurt Cam's feelings if I didn't say something. Cam could be mad at me later if she wanted. "Look, she likes you a lot, okay? She keeps saying y'all are friends, but she's always had..." I trailed off and then Ben's words from last night came back to me. "A thing for you. Even when you made her so mad she could spit fire."
Brody shot me a sideways glance. "You think so?"
I laughed. "I know so." My smile faded. "Did J.J. warn you away from his baby sister?" I asked.
It was Brody's turn to chuckle, but it contained little humor. "Not really. I think he's more worried she'll break my heart than about me breaking hers."
I rolled my eyes. "She doesn't date much, so J.J. thinks she's not interested in relationships, but I'm pretty sure he's wrong." I knew I was saying too much, so I settled on adding, "Go by and talk to her this afternoon, see what she says. I made her take the day off, so she'll be home."
Brody studied me. "Aren't you violating some kind of super secret friend law by telling me this?"
I waggled a hand from side to side. "Maybe a little, but I don't think she'll be too angry with me."
"Okay," he answered with a sigh. "I think I'll do that." He grinned at me, looking a lot like his brother, only with bright green eyes rather than hazel. "I'm glad you came out to talk to me, Sierra."
"Me, too," I answered. "Now, go inside and get something to eat. I'll be