“Whose fault is that?” I shoot him a glare severe enough to slice his skin.
His head bobs to a slow beat. “Mine. I’m well aware and take full responsibility. That’s why it’s also on me to restore what I broke.”
I rip my gaze off of him. “You’ve got one helluva uphill battle to conquer.”
“Dammit, Ford. Just give me a chance to explain.”
“I was willing to in the beginning, but you fucking left me. My big brother. My idol. My best friend. I was alone and lost and crushed with disappointment. It’s no wonder how I ended up hating most people. You can take credit for that, too.”
He holds up a palm. “I will. That’s all my fault. When I should’ve been protecting you, I abandoned you instead. There’s nothing I can say to take that pain away. But I wanna right my wrongs.”
Disbelief forms a clump in my throat. I choke it down with a swig of beer. “Why now, Grant?”
His exhale seems to weigh two tons. “Because I’m tired of pretending to be happy. I don’t want to be a sniveling coward who runs from his problems. The accident didn’t just damage my body. When I left, my head was all fucked up. Nothing made sense. Leaving was the easiest solution, but I never should’ve stepped foot out of Silo Springs. I realized that after only a month. It already felt too late. With each year, the choice to return only got harder. I got stuck in a dead-end routine. Enough was eventually enough, though. We’re brothers. You’re my blood. Nothing is stronger than that.”
“Not even your bond with father dearest?”
A deep scowl carves his features. “I was wrong about following him. It’s my biggest regret and worst mistake. I’ll be paying the price for it until I’m old and gray.”
“You’re fucking right about that.”
Another forced breath claws out of him. “Am I too late, brother?”
“Fuck off,” I mutter.
“That’s not really an answer.”
“Only because I can’t give the one you truly deserve.”
“How’s Iron Throttle?”
His abrupt change in direction makes my brain swell. “Oh, are we moving on already?”
“I can talk in circles about my bullshit excuses for hours. Let me have a few moments of rest. Tell me about your work.”
“Why are you taking a sudden interest in my business?”
“Always have, Ford. I’m so damn proud of you. Sure, I’ve done a shitty job showing it. That’s another thing that needs fixing.”
I scoff into the open air. “Yep, the list keeps growing.”
“I miss cruising down the open highway. A suit and tie are no match for leather and wind.”
“Cheers to that.” I lift my bottle to his.
“Do you need a partner?”
The beer sprays out of my mouth in a wide arc. “Are you fucking with me?”
“Nah, not even a little bit. I haven’t been this serious about something in a long damn time.”
I turn toward him and get my first good look in who knows how long. He’s older and broader, but appears worn down to his bones. The man could use a double shot of whiskey and a comfortable bed. Hell, I could go for the same. “You honestly think I’m just gonna agree to that? I’m barely tolerating this conversation.”
He lifts a single shoulder. “It’s worth a shot. What better way to show you how serious I am, right?”
“That’s a big decision. One I won’t make ten minutes after being reunited with you.”
Grant nods. “I don’t blame you there. Trust takes more than words to heal. I lost my way, brother. There’s been something here always yanking me back. It’s long overdue that I come home.”
“No shit,” I mutter.
He chooses to ignore my brooding mood. “Still have my bike?”
“I do.”
“Does it run?”
I give him a limp shrug. “Not lately.”
He scratches at his chin. “Guess I have my first project already lined up.”
It feels like the floor disappears and I’m freefalling into the Twilight Zone. My thoughts spin faster than I can process. “You’re for real? This isn’t a prank?”
“I wouldn’t joke about that, especially with you. People make mistakes, right? Some bigger than reasonable compassion allows for. That’s what makes us human. It also means others have to offer second chances so we can prove ourselves.”
Pressure builds in my gut as the vision of blonde hair and green eyes assaults me. “I’ve been hearing that more lately.”
“And you can forgive me?”
I shouldn’t, at least not so easily. When he left, my world was crushed in half. That loss still blazes bright inside of me. But he’s here for a reason. “I’ll work on it. You’ve given me a lot to consider.”
“So, you’ll actually think about it?”
“Sure, why not? You’re my brother, after all.” And Grant is the only one who can fill the void caused by him leaving. Getting my best friend back will be nice, too.
He gives a loud hoot. “I’ll take being redeemable. And that means you are, too.”
“This isn’t about me.”
His mouth twitches into a knowing grin. “I heard what you said earlier about the woman. What happened with the little girl’s mom?”
“She wised up and dumped me.” That’s a better tale than the truth.
He waves a hand in front of his face. “I smell bullshit.”
“That’s probably your breath.”
Grant punches me in the arm. “Good to know you’re still a little punk.”
“Only when you’re asking for it.”
The humor on his face droops at the edges. “Are you happy, Ford?”
I tip the beer to my lips, drinking what’s left in the bottle. “Hanging in there.”
“What’re you gonna do to make it better?”
“For starters, not discussing our feelings like a bunch of chicks.” I figured Grady was a fluke. It seems Grant is all about prying, too. The festering wound in my heart is for me to worry about. I rub over the blazing ache, for no other reason than to revel in the burn.
My brother polishes off what remains of his beer. “I’ve broken my fair
