Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(97)

“It was about his wife,” I said, getting Sydney’s attention first, and then Brian’s when his head slowly came up. “That’s all I want to say about it though, okay?”

My brother’s face relaxed. He tipped his head at the glass slider, suggesting, “Why don’t we step outside on the deck? I wanna say hi to the kids before I head back to work.”

“Sure. Okay.” I stood from my chair, and Syd did the same.

“I’ll put the food away, and then I’ll join you guys,” she said, spinning around and giving Brian a kiss before she started clearing the table.

I followed my brother outside and peered out into the yard as he hugged Olivia and then Oliver.

He spoke to them both as he petted Sir. Then Brian climbed the stairs and walked over to where I stood, stopping beside me.

“They’re missing him. No doubt about that.”

My eyes stung. I peered out over the deck. “They can’t understand what’s going on.”

“They’ll be all right.” He sounded so sure.

“I have a favor to ask,” I said, watching the kids. “It’s last minute, and if you already have plans on Friday, don’t change them. I’ll figure something out—”

“You know I’ll take him, Jen.”

I turned my head and met his eyes. “Oliver might not want to go now…He won’t talk about it yet, but I think he knows Nathan isn’t taking him.”

“You sure he isn’t takin’ him?”

“He hasn’t called me, Brian. He said he would call…I even left him a message, asking him to let me know if he was planning on going or not.” I squeezed the wooden rail until my palms ached. “I should’ve listened to you. I never should’ve let the kids get attached.”

My brother threw his arm over my shoulders and pulled me close, a heavy breath leaving him. “If Oliver wants to go, I’ll be there.”

“Thank you.”

“Same meeting place as last time?”

I nodded. Warm breath pushed against the top of my head.

“I ain’t always right, Jen,” Brian told me.

I knew that was his way of saying he hoped he wasn’t right and that he still might not be. I blinked wet lashes and burrowed into his side.

When Syd came out to join us, Brian and I separated, allowing her to step in between. She leaned back against Brian’s chest and held on to his arms when he wrapped them around her. They looked happy. They always did.

I smiled at the two of them, and then my brother mentioned needing to leave soon. “Aren’t you going to eat anything?” I asked. “Isn’t that why you came home?”

“Already ate at Wax. Just wanted to see you and the kids for a minute.”

“Oh.” That made my heart warm. “That was nice.”

He shrugged, dropping his head on top of Syd’s. “Wild,” he urged, giving her a squeeze.

“Right.” She grinned at me. “August fourteenth is a Friday. Do you and the kids have plans that night?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Great. Because we’re throwing a massive party.”

“Okay.”

“At Jamie’s house.”

“Why there?”

Her eyes went round. “Huh?”

I laughed at her confusion. “Why are you having it there and not here? What’s wrong with here?” Their house was nice and plenty big enough to host a party.

“Nothing’s wrong with here,” Syd was quick to answer. “We just…wanted a bigger space. Plus, Jamie’s view. You can’t beat it.”

“Oh.” Well, that made sense. Jamie’s house was beachfront.

So is Nathan’s, I thought.

My shoulders dropped. “Cool. Sounds fun.”

“It’s going to be amazing.” Syd grinned. “You have to be there. No dates that night.” We stared at each other.

Syd frowned. “I’m an idiot. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Nate’s even closing Whitecaps early so none of the girls will have to miss it.”

“Really?” Closing up for a party? That seemed strange. But I was more surprised to hear he knew about this party before I did.

“When did he tell you he’d close Whitecaps?”

“Yesterday when we spoke on the phone.”

What? “You spoke to him yesterday?”

Sydney blinked. Her lips slowly parted. “Y-yes, but really briefly, Jenna. Super brief. He called work to talk to Tori and I basically just stole the phone from her. I’m sorry I didn’t mention it. We didn’t talk long or about you, obviously…I mean, not obviously like he wouldn’t want to talk about you…”

My brother mumbled a curse, dropping his arms from around her and stepping back.

“I just mean I would’ve told her if he had said something.” Syd snapped her eyes to mine again. “I was literally on the phone with him for two seconds, Jenna. That’s it.”

“How was he? How did he sound?”

Sydney shook her head, shrugged, glanced back at Brian, who didn’t offer any assistance since he’d preoccupied himself by watching the kids, and then she met my gaze again. “Okay?” She winced.