Page 3 of Standing Still

“Denny, I need a favor.”

“Hello to you too. No, how are you Denny? What are you up to, Denny? You’re still my favorite brother, Denny.”

“All that. So, they changed the time of the meeting tomorrow.”

“Why?” my brother asks. He’s eating something, his voice is muffled.

“Becauseshehas pressing matters in New York. I don’t even know why she’s bothering. She doesn’t give a shit about the company, or her dad.”

“So, what time is the meeting?”

I sigh again. We’ve reached the park, so I unclip the leash and let Jedi go. He runs across the grass and throws himself on his back, rolling around in ecstasy. If only life could be that simple for me. “Ten.”

“Well, that sucks.”

Denny is ten years younger than me. He was the surprise my father never knew he wanted. Or rather, he knew he didn’t want. After already having four boys, another was the last thing dad needed, but everyone loves Denny. I’m the closest in age to him.

Our three other brothers are between thirty-seven and forty-six years old. They’ve all got wives and kids. Denny just graduated college and is back home while looking for work. Hence why he’s the one I’m calling to help.

“Dude, it’s one time, and it should be done within a couple of hours.”

“Yeah, but you need me out on the boat when you go out. That’s like way before ten.”

“I’m glad you can tell the time. Will you do it? Otherwise, I’m gonna have to call the lawyer’s office and give them shit about changing this.” And if I’m being honest, that is more hassle than it’s worth. It’s bad enough what’s coming tomorrow as it is.

“That oughta be fun. You should do that anyway.”

“I don’t want to get into any shit, man. I just want it all finished.”

I whistle when I spot Jedi getting too far away. His head comes up, his ears turned towards me, then he lopes back over, pausing when he sees a couple of little kids playing with a ball. Fortunately, they’re my cousins’ kids and they know Jedi, so I don’t need to worry about him stealing some random kids’ toys. Jasmine notices Jedi and gives him a stroke, then waves over at me, letting me know my dog is good with her and the kids.

Pacing back and forth, one hand clamped at my hip, I wait for it. His counter offer. God forbid Denny does me a favor without asking for some stupid demand in return.

He forgets I was the one who protected him from Jared, Zach, and Lewis when he was growing up. He’d have had way more broken bones and need lifetime therapy if I hadn’t got in between those three and our little brother.

“Loan me the car this weekend.”

The fucker. I have a 1978 King Cobra Mustang that I spent years rebuilding. It’s my pride and joy. No one drives it. Ever. Especially not Denny, who has already had two ‘accidents’ in dad’s car. I drop the phone from my ear and look up at the sky. It’s like Sophie’s fucking choice right now. My beloved car in his hands makes me break out in a cold sweat.

I should be able to argue the point that the meeting was at three and not let her push anything around. It’s messing with my business, after all. But I don’t want to rock the boat with that either. Despite her being gone for over ten years, she still holds power here.

Putting the phone back to my ear, I tell him, “One time only, and you can’t leave town.”

“You make it sound like I’m a criminal.”

“When it comes to your driving, you are.”

He chuckles. “Okay bro, deal. What time again?”

I take great pleasure in telling him. “I’ll pick you up at three thirty.”

“Son of a bitch,” he groans.

“No take backs,” I laugh for the first time today.

“Are you coming over for dinner tonight?”

I rub a hand over my head. “Nah, I’m tired and I want to be prepared for tomorrow. I already called dad.”

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