Worth the Wait (McKinney_Walker #1)(34)

“How about Supreme Dumbass?” Luke suggested, returning with three cold bottles and a basket of cheese fries.

Zach fired and hit just left.

Luke raised his beer in mock salute at Zach. “You talk to Dallas lately?”

“No.” Nick answered, knowing the question was aimed at him. He wasn’t the only one who felt like the three of them together made the fourth brother’s absence more pronounced. When was the last time all four of them were together?

Zach let another dart fly, and they watched it hit just outside the center.

“But you know where he is,” Luke said.

“No,” Nick answered. “I don’t. He called a while back just to say he was fine, but he wouldn’t be able to talk for a while.”

“So he’s gone under,” Luke offered.

“That’d be my guess.” When you worked for the DEA and you couldn’t talk to your family, that’s pretty much what it meant. He hated that his brother was doing undercover work. It was dangerous enough being in a drug organization if you were a bad guy, but when you were playing both sides? Not good.

He stood and took a turn, followed by Luke.

Zach stood, took a dart, and hit dead center. “Boom. Beat that, suckas.”

“What do you do? Practice every damn day?”

“Gotta find something to do when I’m not on call. It can’t all be about the ladies. Though I’m sure they wish it was.”

Nick often worried about Z’s lack of ambition. He was the poster boy for easygoing. The more solemn and serious his twin, Dallas, had become after their parents’ accident, the more Zach had gone the other way. He’d taken on lightening the mood as his personal mission, his place in the family. Maybe Nick should just be glad he’d had one sibling turn out relatively undamaged by his upbringing.

He checked his phone again. He’d called Hannah three times before getting a text saying that if he didn’t stop asking if she was okay, she was going to turn her phone off. Then she’d sent him an emoji of a helicopter. Funny.

“I hit this,” Zach said, glancing back at Luke, “you give me the derby trophy.”

“I told you I don’t know where it is.”

“Well, find it. I want it.”

Zach concentrated on the board, and Nick shook his head at the ongoing argument.

“I don’t know why you think you should have it, anyway.”

Zach dropped his arm and spun, frustration all over his face. “Because I put the wheels on. How many times do I have to say it? I put the wheels on straight, and you know that’s the only reason you won.”

“Exactly,” Luke said. “I won. You were only in that troop with me because Dad was the leader.”

“You’re such a dick,” Zach said.

Luke just shrugged, and Zach took his shot.

It was an old argument, mostly meant as a joke, but there’d be a bit of truth in it as well. Because that Soapbox Derby car had been built with their dad, and except for the memories of that day, the trophy was all that was left. Maybe that’s why Zach continued to bring it up, to talk about it, to remember it.

They were lucky to have the memories: Cub Scouts, Little League, elaborate birthday cakes. All long before Hannah was born. All things she hadn’t had.

“So…weird seeing Mia after all this time, huh? She looks good.” Zach gave him a quick study before going back to the fries. “You really haven’t talked to her at all? Not in all this time?”

“No.”

Luke stared at him, not even trying to be subtle. “You didn't know she was here?”

“No.” He slid Luke a glance. “Did you?”

“No. But I haven’t been here.”

They both looked at Zach.

“Nope. Not me. I stay out of Han’s business. Mostly.”

“But she didn’t tell you she was here.” Luke gave him a that sucks, dude look, with a touch of rare brotherly concern. “You more pissed she’s seeing Han or that she’s not seeing you?”

Good question. A very good question and one he knew the answer to.





Chapter 12





Twelve years ago…





IN THE EARLY LIGHT of morning, they fell apart panting and so damn happy. Eternally overscheduled and exhausted, but happy. Mia finished her residency at University Hospital in Charlottesville and now worked in emergency surgery. His work in the FBI was demanding, in addition to the commute and taking care of Hannah. Zach was still around to pitch in, and it worked. Especially right now.

Nick slung his arm over his face, laughed softly then glanced at Mia, breathing as heavily as he was. When he could muster up the energy, he rolled to pull her against him until her breasts pressed into his chest. He ran a hand down her back then squeezed her bottom and left his hand there. There, that was perfect.