Page 56 of Stay with Me

“Man, I hate your grumpy ass sometimes. You need to get laid so you can chill the fuck out. Those cigarettes aren’t doing shit for you, you might as well quit,” Kegan grumbles.

“You get laid enough for the both of us. Besides, it’s clear neither of them wants us to know, so stay out of it,” Dwayne snaps.

“Stay out of what?” Lord asks as he enters the kitchen where we’re all standing around the island.

“I think Knight’s fucking Reminisce,” Kegan says.

“You saw that too?” Prince says as he walks into the conversation.

I move to the refrigerator to get everyone a beer. I can tell no one else plans to head out anytime soon. Today was fun.

I’ve noticed my place has become like headquarters these days. When my brothers and two cousins want to hang out, they come here. Even the band members have taken to coming here to hang around, even when we’re not in the studio. My boys love them, so I don’t mind.

“Dude, you’d have to be blind not to. She’s hot, I can’t blame him,” Kegan replies.

“She’s the one he’s been hooking up with for years,” Lord muses.

“No, are you serious? That’s been Rem?” Prince says.

I look between my brothers as they have a silent conversation. I hate when they do that. It’s clear to see they know something I don’t. Not impossible with my tour schedule. I’ve missed out on a lot.

“What aren’t you two saying?” Kegan says, picking up on the same thing I do.

Lord shrugs. “He’s been crazy about this chick he hooks up with every now and then. He doesn’t really see anyone when they’re on and I can’t honestly say he dates much when they’re off. I didn’t know it was Rem at first.

“I figured it out when this one got married and surprised us with a new family. It’s the way he looks at her,” Lord finishes.

“Wow, that’s what I’m saying. How does he think he’s hiding this when he looks at her like that,” Kegan says.

“But how do you know for sure it’s her?” Dwayne says looking at Lord.

I was wondering the same thing. I know the truth, but I’m not sure how Lord does. Not that you can keep secrets for long around here.

“He confirmed it at the party when I asked him,” Lord replies.

That makes sense. As the youngest, Knight doesn’t hide anything when we ask, unless it has something to do with his job. I know he’s still keeping something to himself about his last assignment.

We’ve all learned not to push when it comes to that subject. My brother’s job can be dangerous, and some of his cases could bring danger into his real life if he’s not careful. I’ve offered repeatedly for him to come work for me.

However, Knight loves his badge. I don’t know if there’s anything that could get him to give it up. He’s a good cop and his heart is in the right place, so I’ve left it alone.

“And why are you so quiet? You know something, don’t you?” Kegan says to me.

I look up from my beer and stare at him. Dwayne walks up behind him and slaps him upside the back of his head. I snort and shake my head.

“What the fuck?” Kegan growls.

“You’re the worst. Why can’t you stay out of people’s shit?”

“If I wasn’t always in people’s shit, you’d still be married to that?—”

“Shut up, Kegan,” my brothers and I say at the same time.

Dwayne storms off with his fists balled at his sides. His ex-wife is still a sore topic for him. It’s worse now that they’re in a battle for custody.

“It’s not like I’m not telling the truth.”

“Yeah, Kegan. We know you are. That’s the problem,” Prince says.

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