Page 49 of Comforting the Grump

“They don’t know about that bastard stealing your money?”

“No. I told Auden, but not them. I was kinda hoping I wouldn’t have to.”

“I’m sure they’ll understand.”

I sighed. “Yeah, but I’ll still feel… You have no idea what it’s like to be Auden’s little brother. He’s, like, the most competent man in the world, so much like our dad that it’s scary. And then there’s me, about as far on the opposite spectrum of the tough, masculine sheriff as I could possibly be.”

“But they love you as you are…”

“I know that.” I had to swallow away the new tightness. “They do love me…but that doesn’t mean my dad doesn’t prefer Auden over me. They have an easier time connecting since they have so much in common. He already thinks I’m a little flaky and not good with money, and when I tell them this… This would’ve never happened to him or Auden. Or to you.”

He hesitated but then opted for the truth, as always. “No, probably not, but that’s not a dig at you. It’s because your brother and I have seen too much and become too jaded to trust that easily. You, on the other hand, have somehow managed to hold on to this innocence, this optimism that is so rare these days. I admire you for it, you know?”

“You do?”

“You’re special, Ennio. You’re a little ball of sunshine in an otherwise dark and cynical world.”

That was the sweetest compliment anyone had ever paid me, and what made it even more special was that Marnin hadn’t even said it to compliment or appease me. He’d said it because he meant it, because that was how he truly saw me. Marnin didn’t do white lies. “Thank you. That’s very sweet of you.”

“Sweet…” He snorted. “You’re talking about someone else because I’m not sweet.”

“You can be.”

“That’s your rosy glasses again, sweetheart.”

Arguing with him was fruitless, so I gave up. “Let me know when you’ve talked to Auden. I’m having dinner with my parents tomorrow, and I want to tell them before they hear it through the grapevine.”

“I will call him tonight. Promise.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

“Don’t mention it.” Marnin was probably one of the few people who meant that literally.

“I’ll see you soon,” I said, a small smile finding its way onto my lips despite the tears still drying on my cheeks.

“Count on it.” His reply was a gruff murmur, but it echoed like a vow.

Whatever lay ahead, at least Marnin would be there, a steadfast presence in a world suddenly turned upside down. It offered far more comfort than it should have.

17

MARNIN

When you had to tell your best friend that you had not only been fucking his little brother but said brother was moving in with you, that was a conversation best had in person. Though if your friend was a sheriff and thus armed, maybe a phone call would’ve been safer. Well, too late now.

I’d taken the day off—much to my secretary’s shock—and had headed to Forestville as soon as the worst of the morning traffic was over. It was around ten-thirty when I pulled into the parking lot next to the sheriff’s station. I hadn’t called Auden to say I was coming, knowing he’d ask way too many questions, so when I walked in, he did a double-take.

“Marnin, this is unexpected.” He gave me one of his bear hugs, the ones that always made me want to cling to him a little longer. I’d never admit it, but he gave the best hugs out of anyone I knew. Well, other than Ennio, who was also a good hugger. Maybe it was a family trait. “Everything okay?”

“With me? Yeah, I’m fine.”

His eyes narrowed. “Then who’s not fine?”

I should have known my verbal gymnastics to avoid lying to him would be useless. The fucker always paid attention to the littlest details. “Can I get a cup of coffee before you start the Spanish Inquisition?”

Auden sighed. “I’m not gonna like this, am I?”

I simply crossed my arms, and he sighed again, then headed over to the coffee maker. Once the coffee was done, he informed Waylon, one of his deputies, that he’d be unavailable for a while unless it was an emergency.

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