Page 58 of Truth or Spare

“I’ve heard that a lot has changed around here, but who the hell is he?” Roddy asked Dewey, hitching a thumb at Theo.

A sarcastic chuckle wafted from Dewey as he finally lifted his gaze to his brother’s. “Aside from Bryce going to Cornell, Theo and Walter might be the only other things that have changed around here. Theo’s my man—for as long as he wants to be—and he can stay at the house until he’s had enough of us and Oslo,” he said simply, giving Chase a nod. “You can stay too, if this soap opera bullshit hasn’t made you sick.”

“Nope! I’m kind of invested now,” Chase said, grinning at Dewey and Theo and then at Roddy. “This place isn’t so bad andI was hoping we could work something out. Don’t blow it again, man,” he said to Roddy.

“I won’t,” Roddy vowed, then grinned at Dewey. “A lothas changed around here, but I’m proud of you for that too.” He turned to Theo, holding out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Rodney Brooks.”

Theo looked at Dewey and Bryce, waiting for their nods before accepting Roddy’s hand. “Theo von Hessen of Austria,” he said and Dewey and Bryce both smirked, enjoying Roddy’s obvious confusion.

“You should be proud. We all are,” Bryce said as he crossed his arms over his chest, beaming at Theo and then at Dewey. “Best change and biggest surpriseever: Doobie found Prince Charming. Theo’s an actual Austrian prince,” he boasted.

Roddy’s eyes went wide and glazed. “A what now?”

“He’s arealprince,” Bryce said as he took out his phone. “His whole family is on Wikipedia and Theo’s?—”

“Knock it off with the Wikipedia,” Dewey ordered, pointing at the phone. “Theo doesn’t like that becauseit’s weird,” he added heavily.

A faint blush tinted Bryce’s cheeks. “Oh. I didn’t realize. Sorry, Theo,” he whispered as he put it away, then narrowed his eyes at Roddy. “He isn’t a selfish fraud, though. He’s the real deal and he’s proven that he’s here for therightreasons. He cares about Doobie and Mom and he just wants to help us. That’s more than we’ve ever been able to say about you.” He gave Theo’s shoulder an affectionate punch before heading back to the workshop.

Chase blinked rapidly and sniffed, then ducked when they heard something slam in the workshop. “I’ll go make sure he’s okay.”

“Thanks,” Dewey said and waved Chase off. There was a sigh from Dewey as he rose, shaking his head at Roddy. “Dad mademe promise I’d forgive you if we ever fell out. But not until you make it right with Bryce.” He took a moment, itching the end of his nose with a knuckle. “We all grew up too fast when you left, Roddy, but Bryce could have had more of a childhood if you had been there. I did my best to do all the things you should have done, when I wasn’t here or taking care of the house or Cassie. And Cassie did her best, bless her. Bryce was always too smart and he still has too much energy for his own good. But he was the one who paid the highest price for those dreams you had to chase. You, me, and Cassie, we had a childhood, but all Bryce has ever known is the fallout of your selfishness and he’s always blamed himself.”

“I know. I’ll never forgive myself for that,” Roddy said heavily. He looked like he was in pain as he stared in the direction of the workshop. “I knew he’d be pissed and wouldn’t want to look at me, but I’ll suck it up and make it right,” he vowed.

“We’ll see,” Dewey said and gave Theo a nudge. “Better get to packing. I’ll bring the truck around.”

He left them staring, bemused and at a loss until Roddy whistled and shook his head. “A prince for Doobie? Can’t say I saw that coming, but it looks like the universe got something right. It’s good to meet you, Theo.”

“Same,” Theo said and gestured for Roddy to follow as he went to clear his things out of the trailer. “An emotional family reunion was the last thing I was expecting, but you might be the answer to our prayers.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Closing time had finally arrived but Dewey was numb.

Instead of being overjoyed about the surprise they had planned for Cassie or nervous about Theo moving in, Dewey was in shock. Part of Dewey always longed for Roddy to come home, but not the Roddy that had abandoned them. He’d wanted the Roddy he’d idolized as a child, who’d been his best friend and partner in crime. Facing the real Roddy and coming to terms with the past was too much to process as Keith arrived and other customers trickled in so Dewey had set the whole thing aside until closing time.

“About fuckin’ time, numb nuts,” Keith had growled before tossing a disgusted hand at Roddy and taking his shoes to lane 6.

Cassie tiptoed through the front door after her shift at the salon. “I know you’re mad at me now, Doobie, but I promise I did this tohelp you.”

“I know. I’m not mad,” he said distantly, too dazed and tired to be mad or do more than nod as he checked the last few customers out.

Keith had decided to linger, still glaring daggers at Roddy, but Theo came to the rescue.

“Heast!” he said as he steered Dewey around the shoe racks and gave his beard a firm tug and his lips a hard, loud kiss, snapping him out of it. “This is a lot,” he conceded, giving Dewey’s cheek an affectionate pat. “But we will manage this together,” he said slowly and clearly, reigniting the joy Roddy’s arrival had doused. “For now, don’t think about Roddy. Think about Cassie and how much she deserves this and how exciting this is going to be for all of us,” Theo suggested with a hopeful lift of his brows.

“We will manage this together,” Dewey repeated, laughing softly as he kissed Theo. What was Dewey doing, letting Roddy steal their thunder? “You’re right. Let’s do this.”

“Krass!” Theo pumped his fists and backed around the shoes, pulling Dewey with him.

But Dewey hesitated again when they found Roddy waiting with Bryce, Cassie, Chase, and Keith. Walter was snoring loudly behind the counter.

“Um…” Dewey pulled his gaze away from Roddy, giving himself a shake. He traded a quick glance with Theo, who offered him a reassuring thumbs up. Dewey nodded, vowing he wouldn’t let Roddy ruin Cassie’s moment. Again. “Theo and I wanted you all here for a…family meeting,” he began, cutting his eyes at Roddy before continuing. “We have some big news about some changes here at the alley.”

“Is it about Roddy?” Cassie whispered. “Because we all know and he’s standing right there.” She pointed at him, making Bryce stifle a snorting giggle.

“No, Ma. Pretty sure it’s not him,” he said with a hard glare for Roddy.

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