Page 76 of Break Out

“Hate to say it, but you need to stay inside as much as possible.”

I nodded. “Also the plan, since I have boxes to unpack, and I need to get onto the network and do half a day’s work.”

His chin dipped in a slow nod. “Sounds good, but you always have a way of surprising me.”

I shook my head. “Not today, tough guy.”

He gave me a quick peck. “Later.”

I locked the deadbolt behind him, and heard my phone ding with a notification.

Unlocking my phone, I saw it was a text from Mom.

Dinner tomorrow. Six-thirty.

Sorry, Mom. Won’t be able to make it.

The little dots weren’t jumping around on my screen. Maybe she was texting someone else. My phone rang and I should have expected that.

I swiped up to take the call and Mom spoke before I could.

“Your brother is coming home for the weekend, Simone. Why did you text me that you can’t make it for dinner tomorrow?”

I sat on the sofa. “I’ll be in Augusta tomorrow, Mom. And Bobby’s home for Spring Break, not just the weekend. I can catch up with him during the week.”

“Ha! I’ll be lucky if I see him after that first dinner. I wanted to have both of you at home, together.”

“How about we shoot for Thursday? Make Bobby’s favorite dinner, he’ll be there for sure.”

“His favorites are things you can’t stand.”

I shrugged. “I’ll suck it up and deal with it. Will that work?”

“I suppose. Why are you headed to Augusta so soon?”

“It’s not ‘so soon’ really, but think about it. How often is Dad away from the club for three weeks at a time?”

“It hasn’t been three weeks.”

“Steel was at Bike Week from start to finish, then followed me back to Gainesville, spent a week in Jacksonville, then helped with my move. We’re coming up on three weeks, Mom.”

“Hmmph,” she muttered. “Well, I can’t wait for you and your brother to be here on Thursday.”

I smirked. “Can I bring Steel?”

After a long moment, she said, “Sure. Tell him to wear Kevlar because your father will probably shoot him.”

“You’re joking.”

“Only a little, but you can bring him.”

I nodded. “He might be busy, but it’ll be nice to extend the invite.”

“Are you saying he doesn’t like us either?”

I chuckled. “Not at all. I’m saying he doesn’t want to be in an awkward situation any more than you do.”

“I’d ask who taught you about guilt trips, but that would be me. Fine. The ball’s in your court, and I’ll welcome him with an open mind.”

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