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Keeping the grip on Robby’s shoulder, Brick led him into the apartment, Kane two steps behind. Olivia’s place wasn’t exactly girly, but it didn’t look like a man had ever lived there. The overstuffed blue sofa was covered with a mountain of pillows and a fluffy blanket where Brick must have been lounging in front of the TV.
Brick swept it all up and carried it back to what was presumably a bedroom, then returned empty-handed. “Sit down. It’s good to have some company.” Robby swiped a throw pillow wedged under the coffee table and hugged it to his chest as he settled on the cushions.
Kane glanced dubiously at the sofa where the kid settled in, then grabbed one of the chairs at the kitchen table and carried it one-handed back to the living room. Straddling it backward, he winked at Brick. “I know how you feel about snuggling up next to me.”
Chuckling, Brick rolled his eyes and sat next to Robby. “More like you know the furniture couldn’t support both of us at once.”
He tried to look innocent, but who was he kidding? “You’re looking good, brother.”
“I’m feeling good. I put in a bid on the house we wrapped up on Burgundy Street. We close in two weeks.”
“I’ll be damned. You took my advice.”
As Brick raised his eyebrow, he couldn’t help but preen.
“Don’t pat yourself too hard on the back. You might pull a muscle.” With a grin still on his face, Brick turned to Robby. “I’m sure you already knew. Everything seems to go by you first.”
Pink flooded Robby’s cheeks. “I did. Once I heard, I figured you must be doing better.” His knuckles whitened as he squeezed the cream-colored pillow. A moment later, he released it, balancing it on his knees. “I want you to know I…I prayed for you. Every day. I know it probably sounds stupid—”
“No.”
“—but I used to go to church all the time when I—before I moved to Atlanta. I always felt really close to God, even when, well, even when my church didn’t have a place for me anymore. So, yeah. I prayed for you, and I really wanted to come sooner, but I didn’t want to intrude.” His eyes dropped to the fingers he’d laced on top of the pillow. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me here.”
“Look at me, Robby.”
His eyes shot up at Brick’s command.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve your friendship or your loyalty, but I want you to hear me. You are always welcome.” Brick’s gaze was unflinching. “You don’t have any family, right?”
Robby opened his mouth, then closed it. He was silent a moment before he answered softly, “On paper somewhere, but no, not the way you mean.”
Kane locked his legs against the urge to squirm in his chair. No matter how fucked up his family was, he never doubted they would go to bat for him. He felt like an intruder, witnessing the stark look on Robby’s face and the answering gentleness from his normally ball-busting best friend.
“No family for me either.” Brick rubbed at the scruff on his chin, and a grin broke out on his face. “Now I’mmakingone. A family. Olivia’s going to be my wife. And you two jokers,” he said, gesturing between Robby and Kane, “you’re my brothers.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “If you’ll have me.”
Robby swiped at his eyes with the heels of his hands. “I’d like that a lot.”
Please, God, don’t let the kid cry.
The mood hung heavy. Somebody had to break the tension. He snorted. “Are we gonna hug it out, ladies?”
“Fuck off.” Laughing, Brick snatched the pillow from Robby’s lap and beamed it directly at his face.
Ha. Too slow. He dodged it at the last second, and it thumped to the floor behind him.
“It was never like this with my real family,” Robby murmured.
“Like it or not, weareyour real family.” He was surprised to find that he meant it. “Get used to it. You’re stuck with us now.”
Robby vibrated with energy as they said their goodbyes. The kid damn near glowed after Brick’s promise of family.
Kane hadn’t been the object of hero-worship from the young man that Brick was, but he’d be damned if he’d go back on his buddy’s word. His family had helped him through some of the worst moments in his life. He didn’t know what he would’ve done if he’d had to face it all alone.
How long had Robby been on his own?
He shook off the question as his Harley roared to life. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t alone now, and he wouldn’t be again.
Family. Fuck. He was still pissed as hell at the shit his father and brother had pulled the night before, but it wasn’t like anger was going to help anything now. He’d been outplayed, and the club had voted. Even if he would’ve had the chance to cast his vote, it would’ve been overruled. He’d have to live with it. At least for now.
