Page 151 of End Game

“Fair enough.”

Ash frowned, arching his lower back, then rotating his shoulders. Something felt . . . damp down his spine. He reached behind, rubbing a hand over his shirt. It came away wet.

“Why is my shirt—?” He broke off, peering down at his brother’s hand.

Zeke held up his mostly-empty glass. “Oops.”

“You couldn’t have held it away from me?”

“Our man hug wouldn’t have had the same impact.”

“Clearly.” Ash untucked his shirt, fanned the tail in an inane attempt to dry it.

An amiable silence fell between them, the first of its kind in years.

“You know,” Ash said. “I never did get a chance to make use of the gift you got me last year.”

“I could say something right now about your shitty inability to recognize a peace offering when it’s presented to you.”

“And I could counter by saying a meaningful conversation costs nothing.”

A slow smile spread across Zeke’s face. “Touché, brother.”

Without another word, they turned as one and left all their bad blood burning in the fire.

Kayla paced the new pergola-covered patio, which was connected to the Annex by a twenty-foot-long meandering path made of gorgeous flagstone.

The enormous addition was a near replica of the indoor Theater, except the outdoor version had a pizza oven and a gas firepit. Construction would begin in another month on the east side of the Annex, which would include three additional offices for Liv, Maddy, and Neuman.

Not knowing how long the brothers’ argument would rage, Lynette had moved the entire party here. But the ’50s music was gone and the joyous conversation had trickled down to monosyllabic words. Liv stood at the edge of the patio, arms folded over her center, staring toward the Friary.

“Do you think they’ll work it out this time?” Kayla asked, joining her friend in her vigil.

“I don’t know,” Liv whispered. “They’re wading through years of hurt and harsh words.”

“And male stubbornness.”

“That too.” Liv gifted her with an amused glance before returning her attention to the house. Her friend’s expression transformed into a frown. “This can’t be good.”

Kayla followed her line of sight and her heart skittered like a pebble across a murky lake. Ash and Zeke emerged from the back of the Friary and strode with purpose toward an old barn. Neither of them speaking. She couldn’t get a read on their mood from this distance.

“Where are they going?” Kayla asked as they disappeared from sight.

“Looks like Cruz’s garage.”

“I heard my name.”

Liv glanced at the self-proclaimed gearhead over her shoulder. “Why would your brothers be going to your garage?”

Confusion crowded between his dark brows, followed by fear. “The Stutz is in there. I had to change out a hose.” He bolted from his chair. “I’ll break their fingers if they even think about touching Cilla’s car.”

The beautiful vehicle he’d spent years renovating to honor his dad, then gave to Cilla.

Like an amoeba, the entire group followed Cruz as he cut across the lawn to reach the garage in record time. Grams and Lynette piled into what looked like a brand new UTV, after a short skirmish over who would drive. Lynette won.

Kayla peeled off her shiny neutral-colored high heels and released a deep sigh when her toes threaded into the grass.

“Good idea.” As the only other stiletto-wearing woman, Cilla followed suit.

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