Page 60 of Housebroke

“It is,” Warren said. “As much as Eugene annoys me—like he annoys everyone—dude is a master at video game design. And I keep telling him that instead of creating games for other people,he should start up his own company and use that big brain of his to create his own worlds.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Eugene started cleaning up the garage, tossing rags by the steps. “I’ve been thinking about it.”

Linc had no idea Eugene had ideas to start his own business. The gaming industry was only getting more popular, and he’d played the ones that Eugene had a hand in. They were damned good. He knew from experience that his younger brother was kind of a genius. “I could help you with the start-up. So could Warren. And I know other people who could assist as well.”

Eugene stared at both of them. “Well. Damn, guys. Thanks. I’ll give it actual serious thought now.”

“I told you they’d help you,” Joe said.

“It never occurred to me to ask.”

Linc rolled his eyes. “Hey. We believe in you. When you’re ready to jump off on your own, ask.”

Warren piled the tools into the tool chest. “What he said.”

“How did your meetings go today, Linc?” Joe asked.

“They were all good. Met with some clients, then I had a meeting with my team.”

“The business running smoothly while you’re away?” Warren asked.

“Like a well-oiled machine, as always. I have two managers who are on top of everything and keep me informed of anything that goes on that I need to know about.”

“So you don’t have to be there,” Eugene said. “That’s how it should be.”

“I dunno,” Warren said. “It would make me... itchy if I wasn’t in my office to oversee everything.”

Linc pointed a finger at Warren. “That’s because you’re anal and have to have your thumb on top of everything and everyone.”

Joe snorted out a laugh, causing Warren to shoot a glare at his husband.

Joe just shrugged. “He’s not wrong, babe.”

“You think I micromanage?”

“We all think it,” Eugene said. “You’ve always been that way.”

“Yup,” Linc said. “Agree. If you hire all the right talented people, they can run your office and you don’t need to be there every second of every day.”

Warren started to object but then paused for a few seconds before speaking.

“I think it’s because you’re the oldest,” Mom said. She’d been out on the step—with Hazel—and they hadn’t even noticed. “You’ve always felt like you needed to be in charge of everyone, to make sure you had a handle on your brothers. You’ve been that way since you were a kid. It’s only natural for you to have done the same in your business as well. It’s not a flaw, just who you are. Which doesn’t mean you can’t make some alterations if you think the way you run your law practice could work better a different way.”

Leave it to their mother to pump Warren up while also leaving him room to make changes if he wanted to.

“I’ll consider it. Thanks, Mom.”

“Look at us, considering life-altering changes,” Eugene said. “Well, two of us, anyway.” He looked at Linc.

“Wait.” Mom looked them over. “Two of you? What did I miss?”

“Eugene is going to look into starting his own gaming company,” Joe said.

“Well, it’s about time. You’re too smart to be giving other people your time and talent.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“And what’s up with you, Linc?” Mom asked.

---