Page 16 of Claiming What Is Mine

“He’s alive, ” Frank answers. “I texted him all morning. Worried he might have fallen off the same cliff you did. But, he finally responded an hour or so ago. He's planning to leave town this evening. ”

Jack sits across the table from me and leans in. “Really? Just like that? The arrogant little shit almost ruined Chet’s wedding and he’s going to take off? Did he apologize for his behavior? Or at least say he feels bad?”

“Nope. Didn’t mention it. I doubt he remembers much about yesterday. He’s a kid, man. He made a mistake. We’ve all been in that situation.” Frank takes a bite of the sandwich. “Damn, this is pretty tasty.”

Asshole.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I look at my brother, genuinely surprised. “You can’t mean that.”

Hank chimes in while digging his chirping phone from his pocket, “Give him a break man. It’s Leo, that’s just how he gets sometimes.”

“You too? Really?” I look around the room and realize only Jack shares my point of view. “You’re telling me, Jack and I are the only ones sticking up for Chet in this situation? I’m sporting a goddamned shiner thanks to Chet, but come on. Leo’s no kid. Not anymore. And yesterday was a deal breaker. I can’t believe you two don’t see that.”

Hank stares at his phone. “Hey Gabe…”

Frank interrupts, distracting me from Hank. “Look, I’m not saying what he did was okay. I’m only saying that he’s had some tough times.” Frank lowers his voice. “He’s trying to figure out who he is, and he made a mistake. He’s family. You have to forgive.”

“Gabe. You need to look at this.” Hank attempts to hand me his phone, but I’m too spun up about Frank’s bullshit excuses for Leo to drop the issue.

“Maybe—eventually. But not twenty-four hours later. No dice.” Unsettled by the irritation radiating from my gut, I push the plate away before standing to leave. “I’ve lost my appetite. I guess I’m gonna go. I don’t see this conversation going anywhere good from here.” I level a finger at Hank and Frank. “You two need to get your heads out of your asses and start seeing Leo for the man he is, not the boy he was. And don’t even think about bringing this up around Mom. The last thing we need is a full-on civil war at the ranch.”

“Damnit!” Hank yells, still holding the phone out. “Can no one fucking hear me?”

Jack takes a look at the phone and his eyes light up. “Holy shit. I think we found your phone, Gabe.”

I stop, just shy of the screen door. “Huh?”

Jack chuckles. “You might want to come look at this. You just sent Hank a text.”

Someone has my phone? I walk back to the kitchen and take the phone from Jack and see a text message from a number with the name ‘Dickhead’. I glare at Hank. “Really? That’s the name you have me in your phone as?”

Hank laughs. “Makes sense, doesn’t it?”

Dickhead: I found this phone on the floorboard of my car. I’m thinking it belongs to Gabe. I don’t know how to get in touch with him, so I’m hoping you can let him know if he’s missing a phone, Meredith has it.

I tap out a reply as quickly as I can.

Hank: Hey beautiful, this is Gabe. Stole my phone so you’d have a reason to see me again huh?

Dickhead: Or maybe that’s why you left it behind?

Hank: Would have if I’d thought of it.

My brothers stare at me as I stand around chuckling, tapping out messages or waiting for her replies.

Hank: How about lunch at Belle’s tomorrow? My treat.

Dickhead: Gabe. Please, don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not ready to date.

Shit. Think fast.

Hank: It’s not a date. Just two old friends meeting to return a phone. How about Belle’s? Say 1 PM?

Dickhead: It’s not a date.

Hank: Understood.

I hand the phone back to Hank and turn to leave, trying my best to hide the smile on my face. “If any of you assholes find my hat, I want it back.”

I had no idea how I was going to justify seeing Mer again. Guess some things are just meant to be. That takes care of step one. Now, how do I make her realize we belong together?

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