11. Eddie

Chapter eleven

Eddie

W e went into the little town of Foggy Basin to pick up groceries. This was a tiny store, unlike the giant supermarkets I was used to, but it seemed to have what we needed. We picked up cereal, eggs, chicken breast, salad stuff, and some canned goods. And fancy creamer for the coffee. When we got to the register, I offered to pay, but the look Brock gave me said he'd rather poke himself in the eye with a hot stick than let me give him money—not even half. Walking around picking out food with him felt exceedingly domestic and unlike anything I'd experienced in my life. After the night we had, incredible sex and being held in his big arms all night, then this little expedition into town, I could almost forget my brother was after me. I could be happy here. Maybe. With Brock, I felt safe—secure.

I held my hands up, ready to give in to whatever Brock wanted. "Fine." And put my card back in my wallet so I could help bag up what little we had acquired. With bags in hand, we headed out to the parking lot and loaded them in the back of Jackie's car. "What do you do when you don't have a car?"

Brock shut the car door and turned to me. "I have a small saddle bag on the bike, and it's only me." His smile turned into a scowl as he looked behind me. Reluctantly, I turned.

And there was Greg, rushing toward us. His face was so much like mine but a few years older. The family resemblance had always been strong, and more so the older we got. Brock had to realize instantly who he was. He wore jeans, Chucks, and a hoodie with our Queen Gaming logo on the front. When he saw my face, he shouted. "Ed. Eddy." But when he got to us and leaned to hug me, I stepped back. Greg frowned. "I've been worried fucking sick."

"Really?" I asked. "I don't think you have."

He came toward me again, but I shoved him. Brock made a growling sound as if he were ready to be my attack dog. But I could stand my ground against Greg. Couldn't I? It wasn't Greg who waited until everyone left the room to put his arm around my shoulders and whisper in my ear that I was nothing. That I would be nowhere without him, and I should be grateful. No. That was Kurt.

"Eddy, what the hell, man? You disappear for days. You don't answer your phone. Are you off your meds?"

"No. I am not off my meds, but I'm not an idiot either." I pointed at him, ready to accuse him of stalking me, but Brock lost his patience.

"Did you break into his room? Are you after him? After his game? Going to hurt him?" He stepped right in Greg's face, challenging him head-on. Greg was bigger than me, but Brock was bigger still.

"Look. I don't know who you are, but you can mind your own business. I have been looking after Eddy all of his life. I know what's best for him."

"I don't think you're after his best interests," Brock started in, defending me. And it was sweet, but also not what I needed. "I think you're after your interests."

"Look, Greg. There is a lot of suspicious shit going on. There have been—"

"Break-ins. I know. Security has been working on it. But that's all the more reason for me to worry about you."

"How did you know where he is?" Brock asked.

"What? Shut up. Come on, Eddy. Let's get you somewhere safe." Greg glared at Brock as if he were the problem. He wasn't though, was he? No, Brock had no idea about any of this. His involvement was accidental. I'd pulled him along, but it was my game. Mine, Greg and Kurt's.

As if I'd conjured him by thinking it, Kurt walked up behind Greg, shooting daggers at me and wrapping his arm around Greg's shoulders. "Hey, kid. Stop worrying your brother. Come on. Let's go home."

I didn't want to worry Greg, and I didn't like how Kurt was eyeing Brock. I was fucking pissed at the entire situation, but I didn't want Brock involved any more than he was. He didn't deserve this. Brock had done nothing but treat me well and try to help me. And fuck my brains out, but that was even more reason to walk away now. "Fine. It's okay." I turned a pleading gaze to Brock, hoping he would understand I was protecting him. I'd never be able to live with myself if I put Brock in the line of fire and he got hurt. "I'm coming." I didn't know what I was going to do, but I had to get them away from Brock. If Kurt was behind the emails along with everything else, would he hurt Brock to get to me? I could only assume that answer was yes.

They led me away, and I didn't look back, afraid I would cave. But I had to trust my gut, and it was telling me Kurt was the problem. And that he was dangerous. So I went with them to a hotel on the edge of town. It was an old-fashioned cement structure shaped like a long U called the Foggy Basin Inn. I'd passed it on my way into town and skipped it as the too-obvious choice. But Greg and Kurt weren't hiding, making it the best choice for them.

Kurt unlocked the door and Greg ushered me in, sitting me on the bed farthest from the door. "Tell me what this is about," he said gently like he used to when we were kids, and I was out of control. For a second, I thought I could explain it. Thought he would listen.

But Kurt stepped in front of him and started interrogating me instead. "Who was that guy and what is he doing with you?"

"He's no one. It's a friendly town. He was helping me."

"What does he know? What did you tell him?" The side of Kurt's mouth turned up in an ugly scowl. Greg couldn't see the evil in his eyes, but I could.

Greg shoved him away. "Stop. That's not helping. Eddy, bro. Come back with us. Come home, and we can work everything out. If someone is after you or your work, it isn't us. We're on the same team. We'll protect you and figure out who it is. We'll call the police. Okay?"

I didn't say anything. Greg seemed sincere, but I didn't trust Kurt at all, and I didn't like the way he was looking at me or Greg. He paced across the hotel room like a shark zoning in for an attack. I did not feel safe with him near me. But I didn't know what else to do.