Page 188 of Ready to Cash Out

Trev smiled warmly. “Yeah, I’m working on that. Never been real great at relationships, but I am going to try. He deserves that, you know? He’s worth it.”

Cold nodded. “I understand.”

“Was it like that for you and Jimmy?”

“In the sense that yes, it made me want to make an effort that I hadn’t before.” Cold glanced down at his glass. “I didn’t have relationships. I had transactions. Simple, brief, efficient. Jimmy…” He smiled. “Well, there was nothing simple about him, and I found myself not wanting our time together to end. That was when I knew.”

“That you loved him?”

“And that it was possible for someone like him to care about someone like me.” Cold raised his glass. “As you’ve so eloquently stated on multiple occasions, I am quite the asshole.”

“No fuckin’ shit.”

Cold snorted. “And as always, your vocabulary is a delight.”

“Thanks. I am a delight.” Trev grinned as he stood up. “Are you going to come down for the party?”

“No.” Cold stepped back toward the couch. “But please. Go. Enjoy yourself. And let me know when you’d like to leave.”

“That depends on our sister.” Trev laughed. “If she had it her way, we might never leave.”

“Our sister,” Cold repeated. “Hmmph.”

“Sounds funny, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed.” Cold smiled, that rare smile that relaxed his face and softened every line. “But I’m starting not to mind it so much.”

“Are you sure we’re not gonna hug again?”

Cold’s smile dropped. “Please no.”

Trev chuckled and offered out his hand. “How about a nice, friendly handshake?”

Cold rolled his eyes, but he shook Trev’s hand. “Have a good night, Trev.”

“You too, Rod.” Trev left with a warm smile and a spring in his step.

The conversation had gone better than he thought, and it paved over some of the friction lingering between them. He did truly feel as if he understood Cold better now, though that didn’t do much to help Cold’s lacking personality.

Cold was still an asshole.

But he was Trev’s brother.

And he really didn’t mind the asshole part as much now.

Trev strolled toward the stairs, but he paused when he saw Jupiter coming up them. “Hey!”

“Hey!” Jupiter smiled. “I was coming to look for you.”

“Sorry. The quick chat took a bit longer than I thought it would.” Trev kissed Jupiter. “How’s the party?”

“I’m pretty convinced that Rowena is going to tie us up and never let us leave.”

“You know, I said almost the same thing to Cold just a minute ago.” Trev laughed. “How long is she wanting us to stay? A month? A year?”

Jupiter chuckled. “I told her we might consider staying until Monday, but I had to talk to you first.”

“Yeah, I figured.” Trev smiled as Jupiter’s arm wrapped around his waist.

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