26

Oscar

“I’m very aware that this is a terrible idea, but I want to talk to Craig.”

Phoenix, Alex, and Ryan all stare at me.

“Do you think this is a good idea?” Alex asks Dolly.

“No,” she says.

“And yet you’re letting him do it,” Ryan says.

“Um, I’m sorry. Am I his keeper?” Dolly frowns.

I smile. I love how feisty she is. She’s not afraid to stand up to my brothers even when they’re being intimidating. I really, really love this.

Phoenix nods. Looks like he respects her, too. He turns to me.

“What’s your plan?”

“Dolly has been texting him,” I say.

“What the fuck? You started the plan without us?” Ryan asks.

“I’m sorry, I thought you were at a shareholders meeting today,” I say dryly.

“You know I fucking hate those meetings,” Ryan says. “I only went because you’re such a fucking flake that you couldn’t go.”

“You know me,” I shrug.

“Are you two done?” Dolly asks. She holds up her phone. “Craig and I are going to meet in thirty minutes. He doesn’t know Oscar is coming with me, but Craig is sneaky. We’re planning to meet at the Blue Ox Cafe, but I guarantee he’s going to try to pull something weird.”

“Why did you say you wanted to meet?” Phoenix asks.

“I told him I had gotten away from Oscar. I said I had some new information that might help Craig get whatever revenge he’s after.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Alex asks. “I mean, we don’t really know your brother.”

“Not even I know him that well,” Dolly says.

“And yet you’re the one planning this little reunion,” Phoenix says. “Interesting.”

“No jabs,” I say.

Phoenix holds his arms up. He wishes I’d calm down, I guess.

Fat chance.

“It’ll be fine,” she says.

“Because it has to be.”