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“Fine,” he grumbled, and flung open the door, still rubbing his chin from that head-butt from Brenda.
His brothers stood in the hallway, both glowering at him. Thomas’s arms were folded across his chest, while Billy was caught in mid-knock. “Jesus,” Billy exclaimed. “You look like shit.”
“I’d say you should see the other guy, but I don’t want to say who it was.”
“We know you got into it with Dad. Why do you think we’re here?”
Galen looked from Billy to Thomas. Neither showed much expression. Were they angry that he’d punched out their father? “I’m sorry, I fucked up. I didn’t plan it that—”
He was interrupted by Thomas, who shouldered his way forward and grabbed him in a hug. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” he mumbled against his big brother’s chest. “How…why…”
Thomas drew back and scanned him. “He gave you a black eye? Nearly broke your nose? And your chin?”
“No, that was…” Remembering that Brenda was still in bed, he glanced behind him in alarm. The bed was empty; she must have fled to the bathroom. Whew. “That was different. How’d you know I was here?”
“CeCe McMurray called me,” said Thomas. “She had all the info, down to the hotel room.”
Did Brenda know that her grandmother had apparently complete access to her laptop? That woman ought to work for the FBI.
He heard the sound of the toilet flushing, and then Brenda appeared. She wore soft pink cotton pajama pants and a hoodie from the Lake Bittersweet Farmer’s Market that depicted a loon munching on a carrot. Even though she’d combed her hair, she still had that unmistakable look of sexual satisfaction.
“Hi, Cooper brothers.” She smiled at them, seemingly unfazed by their arrival. “Let me guess. Granny sent you.”
Billy sent Galen a surreptitious wink of approval. Galen scowled back at him. He didn’t need his brothers’ opinion about him and Brenda, positive or otherwise.
“She did. She thought you might need some backup.”
“Well, she did the right thing. I think I know exactly how you can help. Galen, I didn’t tell you this yesterday, but I already consulted with one of the best defense lawyers in LA.”
He blinked. It was a good thing someone was thinking ahead, but how was he going to afford a top lawyer?
“I got some tips that I think you can use.” In her bright, intelligent, reassuring way, that manner that somehow made you feel that everything was going to be okay, she outlined her suggestions. “The fact that the three of you are united makes it even better.”
“Solid.” Thomas nodded. “Whenever you’re ready, let’s go, Galen.”
“I haven’t even had breakfast.”
Billy reached down and picked up a cardboard drink holder loaded with six giant to-go cups of coffee. “Two cups each.” Then he held up a Thermos. “Tea for Brenda. With oat milk, just like Granny said.”
Thomas produced a grocery bag as well. “Bagels, lox and cream cheese. Come on, we can eat on the way. Brenda, are you coming?”
Brenda folded her lips together, then shook her head. “You boys go on. I have some work to do.”
“Right, I heard that your book came out. Congratulations,” Billy said.
Brenda turned white. But before Galen could reassure her and insist that he hadn’t told a single soul, and wouldn’t on pain of death, his brothers were hustling him out of the room.
“Wait! Pants!”
Brenda tossed a pair of pants out the door. Billy, showing off his outfielder skills, grabbed them with a grin. “Nice throw. This won’t take long. How about we all go check out the beach after this.”
She nodded, then caught Galen’s eye. He couldn’t tell exactly what she was trying to communicate, but he got the gist. You got this. I’ll see you soon. I love you.
Okay, maybe he was imagining that last part, or projecting his own feelings onto her, but he didn’t think so. It was love they’d created together, or stumbled into together, however you wanted to put it. Deep, forever love.
It was brotherly love that he felt surround him as the three of them climbed into the red convertible they’d rented.
