Page 12 of When We Are Old

“It’s been five years and I was broke when I met her. I don’t see the relevance myself.”

“Just a warning for when you get the boys later.”

There was a pause. “Fuck.”

“You didn’t forget, did you?”

“Yes. No. I mean—”

“Want Lennie to grab them from school?”

“Please.” I hated the way Matthew’s voice strained around the edges. It no longer contained the rolling hills and major chords I’d held onto in my memory for so long. It was the voice from the man who’d stood in my office, angry and resentful, closed and aloof.

“Anyway. Did Liam tell you he spoke to Ronnie? He’s going to London next week to talk business. You could go… or you could get him to kidnap her, bring her back and we will do Dad’s dinner all over again, apart from this time Liam and I won’t ruin it for you.”

“Ryan, you didn’t ruin anything. It’s fine.”

“It’s not though, is it. You’re miserable, always have been.”

I couldn’t take sitting there listening anymore. Pushing back my nerves and participating in some erratic deep breathing, I got up and pulled some clothes out of the dresser, balancing and drawing them on, trying not to fall over in my rush. Dressed, I opened the door and stepped around it. “Hi.” I gave Matthew’s giant of a brother a small wave, my cheeks the temperature of the sun.

His eyes widened and then his face splintered into a face splitting smile. “Oh, right. I see. Not a pretzel emergency?” He slapped Matthew on the back, knocking him forward a few inches.

Matthew ran a hand through his hair, making it stand up at messy angles. “No. Not an emergency.” With his T-shirt inside out and crooked, his feet bare, he looked practically edible.

Ryan gave him the once over. “Like that, I see.”

“I don’t know.” My voice sounded small between the giants and I forced myself to talk louder. “I’m pretty hungry, pretzels wouldn’t go amiss.”

“Can I have my keys back please?” Matthew asked, holding his palm out and shooting his brother down with a death stare that would have made me tremble.

“Matthew? What are you all whispering about up there?”

At his mother’s shout, he met my gaze and I gave him a shrug. This was fast. Supersonic fast.

If I stopped to think about it, then I knew I’d panic and get off the crazy train. But somehow the destination the train of crazy was going to seemed more important than ever. If I got off now, then what would I miss out on? What had I already missed out on because I wasn’t brave enough?

“Just coming.” He shot me a breathtaking smile. “Want to hide in the bedroom until they’ve gone?”

I shook my head and swallowed, although inside my stomach wrapped itself into a familiar knot.

“So, you're hanging around?” Ryan knocked me with his shoulder, nearly pushing me off my feet. Matthew tutted and grabbed me upright.

“Maybe.” My heart raced and I searched Matthew’s face with my gaze.

“For about three minutes until she has to go back to London.” I loved the grouch in Matthew’s tone. His moods were far sexier when not directed at me and my branding company.

Oh shit. Work!

Bollocks!

I hadn’t told them I wasn’t coming in.

Ryan eyed me over. Thicker and more wide set than Matthew, he still held the dark similarities. You couldn’t ignore they were brothers. “Long distance romance, is it?” He cocked an eyebrow. “You should have introduced us properly the other night, Matt. We thought she was business.” I giggled as he waggled his brows.

“Fuck off, Ryan.”

I widened my eyes at Matthew. “Such language.”