Page 49 of Joey

Wald closes the top and zips it up. Takes it off the bed and snaps the handle up into position like we’re ready.

“You have a passport?” he asks.

“Of course.”

“Grab it.”

“Why?”

“Because eventually, Brooke, you’re gonna need it. Do you think you’ll come back here?”

“Of course,” I say again. Only louder. “I live here.”

“Not anymore you don’t. But I’ll have someone pack it up for you if you want.”

I am actually speechless. I cannot recall the last time a man has rendered me unable to talk and Wald did it without even trying.

He walks towards me. Stops. Leans in. Kisses me. Gently touches my face with his fingertips, letting them caress my cheek as he backs off and licks his lips, gazing into my eyes.

“You might be a champion liar. That’s fine. We need that right now. But here’s the deal, Brooke. You don’t lie to me. You don’t lie to Huck, and you don’t lie to Joey. If you’re serious about sticking around after we get what we need, then you need to understand that going in.”

“Do you think I’m lying to you?” I ask.

“Of course you are. You don’t even know me. But there’s gonna come a time when you do know me. And I know you. And you’re gonna have to make a decision to keep lying or let us in. I hope you make the right decision. Because if we can’t trust each other, then this friendship thing won’t be what you think. It is possible to know people in all the wrong ways. And trust me on this. You do not want to know the Boston Brothers in all the wrong ways.”

“Are you trying to scare me off?” I ask.

“No. I’m trying to prepare you.”

“For what?”

“Listen. Joey Boston has dark things inside him. Dark things he’s never even told me. And I’ve never asked him. You know why I’ve never asked him?”

“Because you don’t want to know.”

“That’s right. If he tells me one day, fine. I’m in. I’ve been with Joey and Huck my whole adult life. So I’m in. I’ve got his back one hundred percent. But you? I don’t know you. So whatever secret you’re hiding… make sure you don’t drag us into something we’re not prepared for.”

A chill runs up my spine.

“Do you understand me, Brooke?”

I nod. “There’s nothing,” I say. “I swear. My life is… weird and unconventional. But I swear to God, it won’t touch you.”

“Good,” he says, leaning forward to kiss me again. “Good.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN - JOEY

Brooke and Wald finally come back almost an hour later carrying takeout Chinese food.

“What?” Huck says. “Are you kidding me? We can’t eat American Chinese food.”

I laugh a little. Because he’s right. It’s not gonna be the same.

“Better get used to it,” Wald says, tossing his keys onto the kitchen counter. “It’s gonna be a long time before we go home.”

“Really?” Huck says, looking at me with raised eyebrows. I know what that looks means. See. Wald’s already thinking about staying.

But just to feel him out and make sure I say, “It doesn’t look likely that the Kane family will ever let me take Maisy out of the country. But of course, if you guys want to go back—”