I brushed my thumb over the pale scar. “It’s still there.”
Henry grinned. “I like it. It reminds me of the fun we used to have. Besides, chicks dig scars.”
“They do, do they? Getting attacked by a trampoline is sexy now?”
“Come on, Grace. I don’t tell them it was from a trampolining incident.” Henry turned his grin on Casey, telling him the story. “I was grounded for two weeks after that,” he added.
Casey laughed, turning amused eyes my way before asking Henry, “Grace get you into lots of trouble when you were little, did she?”
“Loads,” he replied as they started towards the front door. I followed behind as Henry began another story, throwing me under the bus and at the same time bringing on a wave of nostalgia.
We’d been a tight family unit once, but we were all scattered to the four winds now. I wasn’t sure our family would ever be what it used to be, but Henry looked happy. He didn’t need me stampeding like an elephant through all that happiness and ruining it for him. I would simply stay a few weeks, fill in for whatever live commitments the band required during that time, and then leave with hopefully less fanfare than when I arrived.
As we reached the front door, Casey and Henry paused to finish their conversation. While my brother spoke, I peeked a glance at Casey. His lids were lowered as he focused on my mouth. My body responded with an answering wave of heat, and when he noticed my flushed face, he grinned, his dimples popping in a display of pure, male perfection. I pretended not to notice, stepping away as I feigned interest in the shrubbery. Mitsy was only too happy with the sudden change of direction, making a conscious effort to cock his leg over several of the plants lining the front garden.
Sneaking another glance, I realised he was watching with an amused expression until Henry distracted him with a question. He gave me his back as he answered, lifting his arm to rub tiredly at his neck. The movement made his shirt ride up, drawing my eyes to the strip of tanned skin just above his ass—his toned, muscular ass. Realising I was staring, I pulled a face at his back which was more immature than I cared to admit, but it made me feel infinitely better.
When Mitsy finished marking his territory, we returned to Henry’s side in time for Casey to offer a quick goodbye. He had the nerve to wink when my brother wasn’t looking before he disappeared down the drive. No doubt he was in a hurry to leave me behind and get back to his underground lair. I told myself I was relieved to watch him go. There was no doubt that Casey made me tense.
Once inside the duplex, Mitsy introduced himself properly to Henry by baring his teeth. Henry took him in with a wide-eyed caution I thought was wise. “I didn’t know you had a dog, Grace.”
I tugged on the leash, creating a safe distance between the two of them. “He’s a new addition.”
Somewhere along the drive here I’d decided that Dalton wasn’t getting the dog back. Mitsy had proved his worth and didn’t deserve a philanderer taking care of him. The ballsy little animal acted like he could take on Cujo and win. It showed an admirable spirit that someone like Dalton would only crush. The fact that he’d pissed all over Casey’s motherfucker tyres and then gouged a hole in the back seat probably helped in making the decision. Just a couple of dog training classes to curb some of the more offensive behaviour, and Mitsy and I would make a good team.
“Umm … okay. Cool dog. He’s really uh, white.”
“Thanks.”
After setting a bowl of water and doggy treat out on the back deck, we left Mitsy to get acquainted with the backyard so Henry could introduce me to the band.
Returning to the living room, I met the bass guitarist I was temporarily replacing first. Frog had dark silky hair, hazel eyes, and olive skin. A tattoo sleeve covered his right arm, but I couldn’t tell with his left; it appeared bandaged from his hand upwards and rested in a sling.
“Ouch.” I winced sympathetically.
“Dude.” Frog looked from me to Henry. “I finally get to meet your sister.” Henry folded his arms and Frog grinned, looking back at me and holding out his good hand. I took it in mine as he said, “Nice to meet you, Grace. I’d say it was unfortunate circumstances, but frankly, if breaking my arm is what it took to get you here, then I’d have done it a lot sooner.”
I laughed, but when his expression remained serious, I cleared my throat and replied, “Nice to meet you too, Frog. I’m sorry about your arm.”
He shrugged. “Shit happens.”
There was an awkward moment where I tugged at my hand and he didn’t let go.