“Maybe I should have you training me instead of Rory. I think you might be bigger than him now,” Kane said over his shoulder as he led the way to the car.
“No one’s bigger than Rory.” Quinn laughed, wrapped an arm around his mother’s shoulders, and followed Kane, with Kieran next to them.
Mention of his older brother sparked Kieran’s curiosity. “Where is Rory? Or Jimmy? Or Casey and Dad?”
“Jimmy’s working. I’m sure, as a cop, he’s tired of visiting prisons,” Quinn answered, trying to make a joke, but no one laughed.
“Casey’s taking her midterms. She’s in her spring semester at New York University.” Dee climbed into the car first and slid into the back, leaving room for Quinn to slide in next to her so the twins could sit together up front.
“That doesn’t explain Rory or Dad. I’m guessing they didn’t want to make the long trek for the screwed-up son,” Kieran trailed off, sliding into the passenger seat. No one said anything as Kane started the engine and pulled out onto the road.
“Each of my boys is perfect in his own way,” Dee finally said, trying to change topics. “And now they will all be together again for Sunday dinner.”
His mother’s comment brought back wonderful memories of what Sundays used to be like, surrounded by family. It was Friday afternoon now, so he was already anticipating the upcoming event. He was curious to see if it would be a happy occasion, as he remembered it being, or if he would feel unwelcome after his time away. He’d heard all kinds of stories from guys he’d met in prison who’d gotten out, only to wind up back behind bars again soon after, about how people treated you differently when convicted felon was added to your résumé.
“Kane, you got extra room at your place?” Kieran asked.
“Yeah, need a place to crash?”
“Just for a few days. I’m going to go apartment hunting soon.”
“You’re not going to stay with your father and me?” Dee asked, leaning forward toward the front seat so they could hear her better.
“I’m a bit old to be living with my parents, Ma.”
“Nonsense, it’s not like I’m asking you to live at home for the rest of your life, just until you’re settled. Any of my kids are welcome to live at home anytime. People are always coming and going at our house anyway, and it’s been so long since I’ve had any of my boys home.”
“Ma, he’s fine with me,” Kane intervened.
Dee leaned back in her seat. “You’ve spent two years somewhere I couldn’t help you or take care of you, Kieran. Let me be your momma again for a little while, just until you get situated.”
Kieran felt his mother’s hand on his shoulder, so he placed his on top and gave her a comforting squeeze. “Ma, I really don’t think I deserve to be pampered right now. I was in prison, not the Peace Corps.”
“Don’t say that.” She smacked his upper arm from the backseat. “All of my boys are wonderful and deserve everything. A little slipup doesn’t mean anything.”
Quinn snorted at her comment. “Is two years behind bars considered a little slipup?”
“Quinn,” Dee warned.
“Sorry,” he replied sheepishly. “I’m sure Kane will pamper him plenty over at his place.”
“The fuck I will,” Kane admonished, shaking his head, which earned him a prompt swat on his arm from Dee.
Kieran laughed at the thought of his twin brother doing anything for anybody else. They might be the exact same age, minus about five minutes, but Kane seemed like he hadn’t changed one bit in the last few years. Kieran envied that, because he felt the exact opposite.
Everything was different about him now. He was different.
“Kieran, please stay with us,” Dee continued. “We had someone from your dad’s old boxing days staying with us the last month, but he’s since left and we’ve plenty of room. I can make you pancakes, bacon, and chocolate milk tomorrow morning. You know how you love that!”
“You should open a bed-and-breakfast, Ma,” Quinn said. “Get paid for always being the innkeeper.”
“Nonsense, we don’t need the money. Plus, I like having people there, especially my sons,” Dee said before leaning forward toward Kieran with hopeful eyes. “Kieran?”
“I’ll be fine at Kane’s, Ma,” he reiterated. “I’ll visit home often, though.”
Dee sighed, finally seeming to accept his answer. “Fine, but you better not miss one single Sunday dinner. Ever again.”
He grinned. “Deal.”