12. Brodie

brODIE

B rodie parked the Porsche next to his truck and got out, stopping himself from ripping open the cab door and throwing the box Kade had wanted Peyton to have down the hillside.

There was so much he didn't understand about Kade's relationship with Peyton. It was like he hadn't confided anything in her. There were also things she'd said that didn't make sense. Twice she'd told him she and Kade weren't as close as he thought they were. Yet, more than a year later, she still wasn't over him.

The only thing he knew for sure was that Peyton Wolf was more to him than his dead brother's girlfriend, and no matter what had gone down between her and Kade, he couldn't give her up. He'd pursue Peyton until she was his. Not Kade's. His.

He was headed to his cottage when Maddox pulled up.

"What's up, little brother?" Maddox asked.

"Trying to figure out the shitstorm our brother left in his wake."

"Get in, and we'll go have a drink."

Maddox drove them into the village of Paso Robles and pulled up in front of the Pine Street Saloon. "Think we need somethin' stronger than wine tonight, don't you?"

Brodie followed Maddox inside.

"Two Angel's Envy, neat," he told the bartender. "And keep 'em comin'."

"You got a ride home, Butler?" the guy asked.

"Yeah, Naughton's on his way." After they downed their second shot, Mad changed the subject. "You see Peyton again today?"

"Sure did. You got somethin' to say about it?"

"Hell, no." Maddox laughed.

Brodie signaled the bartender to pour him another round. "You in?" he asked Mad.

"Why not?"

"You're gonna think I've lost my damn mind."

"Oh, yeah? Then you're thinkin' I believed you had a mind to begin with."

Brodie lowered his gaze to the bar in front of him. "I think I'm falling in love with her. I've known her four days, and I'm in love. How crazy is that, Mad?"

"Pretty damn nuts, if you ask me, but I don't know if I've ever felt that strongly about someone, so I'm not a good judge."

"What's wrong with us? Kade couldn't tell the woman he loved that he wanted to marry her. I fall in love with the same damn woman in a hot minute, and you and Naught don't know your asses from your hearts." Brodie's head felt heavy. When was the last time he ate? This morning? Too much hard liquor on an empty stomach wasn't going to end well.

"I need food, Mad."

"You got it. Hey, Jimmy. Fire up that grill. Three steak sandwiches with all the fixin's."

"Medium rare?"

"All three," Maddox told him. "Food's on its way. Now, tell me what's goin' on with Peyton."

Brodie recounted everything that had happened in the past four days, including the kiss he and Peyton had shared. He expected his brother to give him shit about it, but he didn't.

"What can I get ya?" Jimmy asked when Naughton sat down at the bar, next to Brodie.

"Better make it a coke. How many have these jackalopes had so far?"

"Lost count." Jimmy laughed.

"Shit."

"They ordered steak sandwiches, though. One for you too."

Naughton nudged Brodie's shoulder with his. "Peyton got you all twisted up?"

"How'd you know?"

His brother shrugged but didn't respond. That was Naught's way, though. If you ever wanted to keep a secret, he was your guy.

Once he had food in his stomach, Brodie asked Jimmy to give him what Naughton was drinking as long as there wasn't any alcohol in it. Maddox raised his hand. "I'm done too."

"Damn wine-drinkin' lightweights," Jimmy sputtered and slid their tab over to Naughton. "You're the only one sober enough to give me a decent tip."

Maddox stood behind them. "You gotta follow your heart, Brode. Kade isn't here anymore, and whatever happened between them stopped mattering the night he died."

Brodie looked at Naughton. "How do you feel about it?"

"I don't know, to be honest. Sometimes, I think it's really f'd up. And then I think about Peyton and her boys, and I find myself hoping you mean the things you're saying about her."

"I mean every word, Naught. I'm afraid I'm scaring the shit outta her. By the way, what did I say?"

"Nothin'. It's more a feeling I get."

Brodie's head was spinning. "You better get me home."

"Good idea," said Mad. "Where's your vehicle, Naught?"

"Over by the park."

"The park? What the hell?"

"Figured you both could use a long walk in the fresh night air. Might sober you up."

Maddox pulled his cell phone out of his pocket when they were halfway to where Naughton had parked.

"Yeah?" Maddox answered. "Hell if I know," they heard him say, but didn't hear the rest of the conversation.

Brodie and Naughton kept walking while Maddox argued with whoever had called him. He caught up with them after he hung up.

"Who was that?" Brodie asked.

"Alex Avila."

"What did she want?"

"Wanted to know what I knew about what was goin' on with you and Peyton."

"What else?"

Maddox put his hand on Brodie's shoulder. "You think you're the only one who's got a pretty girl wrappin' you around her finger?"

"Really? You and Alex? When did that start up?"

Maddox hung his head, but then raised his eyes and grinned. "Where you been, little brother?"

Brodie looked at Naughton. "What's he talkin' about?"

"High school. Pretty sure that's when he started chasin' her around like some ol' bull after a heifer."

"You watch it, Naught. Alex will kick the shit out of you if she hears you call her a heifer."

Brodie felt as though he ate a thousand cotton balls the night before and there was a marching band practicing inside his head. After checking his phone for the twentieth time, he rolled over and covered his eyes with his arm. There was still no message from Peyton, not that he'd expected there to be.

He knew he should give her space, but he also longed to hear her voice. If he felt better, he might even be tempted to get in his car and drive to Cambria.

He'd never been impulsive. It wasn't part of his personality. He had great self-restraint, and nothing much rattled him. It was different with Peyton, though. He had no self-control where she was concerned.

Other than losing his oldest brother, Brodie had little to complain about in life. His family loved him, they were all healthy, the wine business was booming, and he, Mad, and Naughton were all doing jobs they loved. They'd each found their niche.

Naughton managed the vineyards, Maddox made the wine, and Brodie sold it. His sister Skye was a happily married stay-at-home mom, and Ainsley, the academic in the family, was at Stanford, pursuing a degree, not that Brodie could remember what in.

Even Kade had been happy before he died. He loved what he did, in spite of the danger, or maybe because of it.

"I can't picture myself getting old," Brodie had overheard Kade tell Maddox once. "I just don't see it in my head." Maddox had asked Kade if he thought it meant something. "I don't know," Kade answered. "I don't think I'm going to live long enough to find out."

Had Kade shared the same concerns with Peyton? Was that why she had doubts about their relationship?

Kade had told their father that, while he was retiring from the military, he wasn't going to quit what he was doing. He'd been interviewing with the CIA, where he'd have more control over when and how much he traveled.

Brodie reached over and picked up his cell phone. He must've fallen asleep. Still no word from Peyton. He had missed a call from Maddox, though.

"What's up?" Brodie asked when he returned Mad's call.

"I need your help. Feel good enough to take care of some wine business with me tonight?"

That was his job, and while he didn't feel great now, if he showered and ate, he'd probably feel better.

"Of course. What are we doing?"

"Meet me in the barrel room around four. I'll tell you then."

This sounded promising. Barrel tastings meant something special was going on. He only hoped he heard from Peyton before he had to leave.