Page 38 of Movers and Shakers

“Move,” he demanded, eyes narrowing at me. “Or I will move you.”

“Try it.”

The moment his hand landed firmly on my shoulder, I punched him in the face.

Chaos ensued, and I decided to take one from Ruth’s book and run out the door. It was a cowardly move, but it was the only thing that kept me from laughing at Dad’s flabbergasted face.

I wasted no time getting into my car and pulling out onto the road.

But then I heard a truck rumbling behind me. In my rearview mirror, I saw it was Tom.

I pulled over onto the shoulder, unwilling to let my asshole brother follow me all the way home. I got out of the car to face him. “I don’t regret it, and you won’t make me.”

Tom got out too. “Are you going to check on Ruth?”

The thought hadn’t occurred to me. All I wanted to do was go home and pretend I didn’t even have a family.

And find a lawyer.

“Do we need to? Ruth isn’t the kind of person to have her mental breakdowns in front of her brothers.”

“She was just told that everything she worked for was for nothing. Why wouldn’t we at least be sure she’s okay?”

“It’sRuth.”

“Barry,” Tom snapped. “She’s our sister.”

“Oh, and you care so much? You didn’t even stand up for her.”

“I have reasons I didn’t.”

“Like what?”

“Come with me to check on Ruth and I’ll tell you.”

I narrowed my eyes, wondering why Tom, of all people, was here instead of back at the house stroking Dad’s ego. I should have told him no so I could return to the safety of my bar and be alone.

But, damn it, I wascurious,of all things.

“Fine,” I groaned. “We’ll go check on her. But you better have a good fucking explanation for staying silent. And for suddenly changing your tune the second you were out of Dad’s sight.”

Ruth wasn’t at her downtown apartment. Tom let us in with a key that she had apparently given him some time ago. I’d never been inside it, but it reminded me of our parents’ house. Cold, undecorated, and boring as hell. When we saw the place empty, Tom texted. She didn’t answer until he threatened to hunt her down and she finally said she was fine.

I knew for a fact she was lying.

Eventually, she agreed to a sibling meeting. When the front door to her apartment finally opened, I expected to see the same woman who had stormed out of dinner.

Instead, I saw one with red-rimmed eyes and a sad expression. Her hair was down, making her look younger.

And Knox Price was in tow.

I had a million questions, but we didn’t get long to talk about this significant change in Ruth’s life because Tom steered us right to the topic at hand.

“We need to talk about what happened with Dad.” Tom glanced over at me and I knew he was probably mad about me throwing that punch.

“I’m not apologizing for what I did.” And I wouldn’t.

“What did he do?” Ruth asked. She didn’t look like herself. She didn’t look like my fearless sister anymore. She wasjust Ruth. I could tell she had been crying, and with the way she’d come in withKnox,of all people, I figured he’d been there for her.

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