“I’ll be reporting to you?”
“You’ll be reportin’ to the team,” Brantley corrected. “I’m the team leader because someone’s got to bear the responsibility. But, like I said, I’m not gonna micromanage you. I don’t have time for that shit.”
“And your thoughts on … dating in the workplace?”
Brantley grinned. “If you’re askin’ whether or not you can pursue JJ, that’s y’all’s business. Just don’t let it interfere with the job.”
Baz chuckled. “I’d like to pursue her, don’t get me wrong. But I plan to keep my distance.”
Brantley could’ve told him good luck with that. He’d seen the way Baz and JJ were that night at Moonshiners. They were getting closer. Maybe as friends, maybe something else. But he honestly didn’t care, provided they didn’t let it interfere with work.
“So, what do you say? You in?”
“Salary? Benefits?”
“Your salary’ll be consistent with my team, although you’ll still have the benefits of the department. Pension and all that.” Brantley pulled an envelope out of his pocket. “It’s all in there. Look it over later, get back to me with an answer.”
Baz took the envelope, set it on the table.
“By the end of the day,” Brantley added.
Baz stared at him.
“I might not micromanage, but I never said I wasn’t a hard-ass.”
That earned him a laugh.
And Brantley highly suspected the rest would earn him a dedicated team member.
***
“What is this I’m hearin’ about a special task force down in Austin that’s kickin’ ass and takin’ names?”
Reese grinned, staring down at his cell phone, listening to Z’s rumbling voice coming through the speaker.
“We’re doin’ what we can.”
“Act like it’s no big deal all you want, kid. It’s a big fuckin’ deal.”
Reese laughed. “Whatever. How’re things with you? How’s RT?”
“Good. We’re back in Dallas for the time being. Got a couple of clients needin’ our services. If we’re lucky, we’ll sit tight until after the holidays.”
Reese knew how much Z enjoyed the holidays. He was big on getting together, hanging out. Reese wouldn’t deny he enjoyed them too, mostly because he got to spend time with Z and Jensyn.
“You talk to Mom lately?” Z asked.
“This mornin’, in fact,” he admitted. “She’s doin’ good.”
“And you? How’s the personal life goin’?”
“It’s goin’,” he said, keeping his tone nonchalant.
“Yeah? You datin’ anyone?”
Shit.
He had been hoping Z wouldn’t steer the conversation in that direction. Of course, he should’ve known better.
Reese didn’t answer right away and Z evidently picked up on his silence.
“All right, what’s goin’ on, Reese?”
“It’s complicated,” he admitted, knowing his brother wouldn’t let it go unless he gave him something.
“Complicated? The good kind?”
“You could say that, yeah.”
“Well, then I’m happy for you. Y’all been together long?”
“Few months,” he admitted.
“Really?” Z dragged the word out, his curiosity clear. “So when’ll we meet this lucky lady?”
Reese cleared his throat. He had two options. He could end the conversation, claiming he had something to take care of. Or he could blurt it out now and get it over with. Not like Z wouldn’t eventually learn the truth. The last thing Reese intended to do was to lie to his brother.
“I’m not datin’ a woman,” he said softly. Too softly.
“I’m sorry. What was that?”
“I’m not datin’ a woman,” he repeated, a little louder this time.
There was no comment on the other end of the line, and for a minute, Reese thought the call had been disconnected.
“Are you tellin’ me what I think you’re tellin’ me?”
Reese closed his eyes, dropped his head back on the couch. “Yes, Z. I’m tellin’ you that if I bring anyone around for the holidays, it’ll be a man. His name’s Brantley Walker.”
“Brantley Walker?” Z cleared his throat. “Brantley Walker from Coyote Ridge? Guy I went to high school with?”
Shit.
Reese had forgotten that Brantley and Z were the same age, that they’d known each other growing up.
“Yes.”
More silence.
Reese felt his heart pounding in his chest, the sound of his blood rushing in his ears. Christ Almighty. He needed Z to say something. For the past few days, he’d considered outing himself to his brother as a first step. Reese didn’t want to keep this a secret, didn’t want Brantley thinking he was embarrassed. However, it all seemed good and fine in his head. When it came down to admitting it, that was another thing entirely.
Finally, there was a bellowing laugh. “Holy. Fuck. My little brother landed the bad boy.”
He couldn’t help it, he laughed, opening his eyes and releasing the breath he’d been holding.
Z’s tone turned serious. “How are you doin’ with this?”
“With what?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, Reese. I know you’ve never dated a man before. I woulda picked up on it.”
“You’re right. I haven’t. But…” Reese closed his eyes again, pictured Brantley. “There’s somethin’ about him. I don’t know what it is, or when it happened…”
“You’re not just datin’ this guy,” Z stated firmly. “You’re in love with him.”
