“So you’re the voice of Sebastian? Great plan, genius.”
“I can channel Sebastian like I’m wearing his skin, none of which I’d have to do if you’d done your part.”
“I would have told her upfront this is a set-up and sent her a picture of Sebastian in the gym. Women love him until he opens his mouth.”
“Dang it,” he says. “That’s not a bad idea. But I’m too deep in this now, bro. I can’t tell her the truth.”
I laugh. “I just hope I’m back in time to see Sebastian beat the shit out of you.”
“Not happening. This woman is perfect. She’s so smart, and she’s fucking gorgeous. She doesn’t fall for any of my, I mean Sebastian’s, shit. They’re soul mates.”
“Uh-huh. How’s the business going? You get started on the Patrick house yet?”
He fills me in as I mosey down the vibrant main street of Yuletide, Colorado. It’s way too early for all of this Christmas cheer, but I’m in a great mood and primed to be sucked in. I can picture Gentry next to me by the Christmas tree, maybe while I help her stock it for her sisters, and then kissing her in front of a roaring fire, while—
“Are you even listening, Levi?”
Shit, typically nothing can distract me from business. “Yeah, I’m here.”
“Right. What I was saying is, enjoy your vacation, loser. We’ve got everything covered here.”
Then my brother, my own flesh and blood, hangs up on me.
I stare at my phone for a long moment, like I can yell at it and Deacon can somehow hear me. Then, I try calling Cash, Ryland, and finally, Sebastian, but none of them answer. They’re either all busy or Deacon told them not to answer.
I text the group chat, which has been oddly silent since I arrived in Colorado.
Me:Hey assholes, someone pick up the phone and tell me how things are going with the Patrick house.
Deacon:No one’s going to answer you. I told them your phone has been hacked and they should ignore you if you try to contact them.
What the hell? I stare at my phone some more. Why would anyone hack my phone just to talk to my brothers? It doesn’t even make sense.
They’ve almost certainly started a new group text thread and left me out of it. Luckily for me, I can also play that game. I create a new text thread, one without Deacon.
Me:Hey, knuckleheads. People don’t hack phones to get in on boring family discussions. Deacon’s just trying to keep me out of the loop.
Cash:I wondered about that.
Sebastian:No shit. But we don’t need you, so I let him have his fun.
There’s Sebastian with his super-sweet bedside manner. Fortunately, I’m immune to his rudeness.
Me:What’s going on with the Patrick house?
Sebastian:What part of we don’t need you did you not understand? I’m hanging up now.
Cash:He just put his phone down like he’s hanging up a landline from the eighteen hundreds. He is so old.
Me:Hey, buddy. Talk to me about the Patrick house.
Cash:Deacon threatened to post an incriminating video of me if I tell you anything.
Me:Ryland? Favorite brother of mine?
Ryland:You’re annoying me. Go bother someone else.
Me:I hate you all. If you think whatever Deacon is going to do to you is scary, wait until you hear what I’m going to do if youdon’ttell me.
