Page 141 of Steel

“Yep, and I acted out because I was still incapable of letting go. That took a few more months, but you were there to remind me that I wasn’t to blame. Neither were you. No one is to blame for what happened unless you want to yell at Mother Nature. Will would be honored to be a part of the calendar. And that womanyou adore knew how much your relationship with Will meant to you. To me. To the team.” He turned to face me. “Don’t do this, Steel. You’re my brother and I care about you, but damn it, you’re a pain in the ass.”

I shifted so I could look him in the eye. “So are you.”

“But I wouldn’t want another brother. Well…”

We both could laugh, maybe finally letting off some steam.

“Thank you for telling me but let it go. Now, I’m going to give you the same advice Kenzie offered me. Go live. For two weeks you were the brother I remembered. Now, you’re not. That should tell you something.”

“What should that tell me?”

He tapped the bed of the truck and backed away. “That you need to take a couple days off and head to LA. I heard it’s not bad this time of year. Then bring her back. Bring your family back home.”

As he yanked out his sunglasses, sliding them on, his shit-eating grin was huge.

I thought about what he was saying. Maybe he was right. The moment I climbed into the truck and after starting the engine, I decided not to waste any additional time and called the captain’s phone number instead of heading back inside.

Why?

Because for once, although I wouldn’t dare admit that to anyone, my brother was right. I planned on heading out tonight.

Fifteen minutes later, I pulled down the road leading to my house.

I was feeling good with my decision. Maybe I’d surprise her. Maybe I’d just show up on her doorstep. Maybe I’d finally secure the same happiness that Axe had found. I was rolling with the windows down and radio up, ready to fly by the rental house, which stood empty.

Then a flash thankfully caught my attention and I slammed on the brakes. “What the fuck?” Not again.

This time instead of seeing Jasper’s truck in the driveway, I noticed something much larger. Leaning forward, I was uncertain what I’d seen flying by the front of my Dodge. But what I did see was a U-Haul attached to a trailer hitch on a Jeep. A bright… red… Jeep.

Woof. Woof. Woof.

Unsettled, I threw the gear into park and climbed out, my palms instantly sweating. I could see a tail wagging from far enough away I wasn’t able to make out the breed of dog.

Until I whistled. The dog turned, his ears perking up and he rushed toward me, his entire body shaking with happiness.

“Zorro. Oh, my God. Zorro.” He jumped on my legs, every bit of his backside wiggling.

“Steel. We’re back. Do you see? We’re back and guess what?” Damon was standing in the front yard with a huge smile on his face.

“What?” I croaked.

“We’re staying. Mom says forever! Yay!” He ran toward me and at the same time, the front door opened and the most beautiful vision walked out, coming down the stairs cautiously.

As she walked closer, I was in a complete vacuum even though I knew the cutest boy in the world was jabbering on about something. And I would listen. And I would love hearing every story.

Just not quite yet. Not until I’d welcomed my new neighbor.

As soon as I leaned over, he threw his arms around me. “I’m glad to be back,” he said.

“You have no idea how glad I am you returned, little man. So glad.”

Finally, Damon backed away, still smiling as if now being eight years old he understood what was happening. I walked toward her, meeting her halfway.

“So, you’re my new neighbor,” I told her.

“Looks like it.” She took a step closer.

“Well, in case the landlord didn’t tell you, there are rules around these parts.”