Anti-Stepbrother(107)

“Your parents are here?” I sat.

He nodded, slumping back the way I’d been earlier. “Our dad came home last night from Beijing, and I believe divorce papers showed up this morning. They had a hellava row last night.”

I winced. “I’m sorry, Colton.”

He lifted a shoulder. “This will get blamed on me, I’m sure.” He gave me a crooked side-grin. “Turns out brain injuries are hard to live with.” He paused. “Or even just be around. People don’t like when they’re lives are upended by something they can’t see.”

Caden had said something similar once before. I remembered his anger and sadness, and seeing the utter defeat in his brother, I covered his hand with mine. “I’m sorry, Colton.”

He patted my hand. “I’m not that torn up about it. It is what it is.”

I didn’t believe him. “Does Caden know you guys are here?”

He shook his head. “He and Marcus don’t even know Pops came home last night. I know Caden’s always there, but he doesn’t need to deal with everything. If I told him, he’d come here and rip into our parents, telling them to suck it up and act like adults. Marcus would just, he’d probably hide with me. We tend to leave the heavy lifting to Caden. It’s not always fair to him.”

I knew Caden wouldn’t want Colton to deal with this. And he’d be pissed if he found out I knew and didn’t tell him. I sighed. “I have to call him, Colton.”

He looked at me, ready to protest.

I stood, clutching my phone, and backed away. “I’m sorry. I have to. If you want to escape, my friend and I will take you.”

Avery came up at that moment, overhearing the last of what I said. She looked at Colton, her eyebrows pinched together. “What’s going on?”

“It’s your choice,” I said to Colton. “We can be your getaway car.” I gave him two thumbs up. “Two hot chicks. How about it?”

“Thanks, Summer, but I’ll stick around. If there’s going to be fireworks, I should be here for them.”

“Okay.” I waved my phone in the air. “I’ll be back.”

“But…” Avery watched me slip farther away, confusion evident on her face. “What’s going on?” She looked back at Colton, stepping closer as I moved out of earshot and eyesight, wading around a large group waiting to be seated.

Cue the nerves.

My hand shook as I dialed Caden’s number. He’d called that one night, but since then we hadn’t talked. My heart was trying to leap out of my chest.

“Summer?”

My shoulders sagged in relief. I clutched the phone even tighter. “Hey.”

“Hey. Are you okay?”

I cleared my throat. “Avery and I are at Carabera’s and Colton’s here. I thought you should know.”

“Colton?” His voice was suddenly alert. “What’s going on?”

“Your parents are here. He said they’re getting a divorce.”

“And they’re hashing it out at a restaurant?” He cursed. “I’m on my way. Thank you for calling.”

“You should know that I offered to be Colton’s getaway if he wanted to leave,” I said quickly before he hung up.

Caden was silent a moment. “Did he take you up on that?”

“No. He wants to be here to watch the fireworks.”

He grunted. “Damn straight there’s going to be fireworks. Thank you, Summer. Are you going to stick around? I mean, can you?” His voice dropped low. “I think I’m done waiting. I don’t think I can hold off any longer.”

I almost squeaked. My hand was so sweaty now. The phone almost slipped. “Uh…” My heart was pounding. “Yeah. I’ll be here.”

“Thank you.” His voice softened.

God. To hear that tenderness from him… I remembered the last time we were together. How he’d held me, touched me, gently kissed me. I gulped. I wanted that again, so much.

“I care about him too,” I whispered.

“I know.” Then he hung up, and I couldn’t move for a moment.

Caden was coming.

Here.

Where I was.

Where his family was.

And he’d asked me to stay too. He was done waiting.

“That’s Marcus’ brother?” Avery appeared next to me, pointing back toward Colton.

I nodded. I couldn’t talk at that moment.

“Holy crap. Marcus told me he was a twin, but I’ve never met him. You have?” I could hear the envy in her voice. “He looks just like Marcus, only thinner.”

I nodded. But he wasn’t just like Marcus. There were differences, ones she couldn’t see on the outside. I’d forgotten about that problem.