Page 6 of Call It Home

“What’s that?”

“Do the show with your boss.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. He had to be insane. “What? No way. You know I like my privacy. Plus, no way in hell I could be around her twenty-four seven. She’d drive me crazy.”

For a brief second, his eyes flashed with amusement. “I’ve never seen a woman get to you this way before. Are you afraid of having a severe case of blue balls around her?”

My lips pursed into a scowl. He was closer to the truth than I wanted to admit. Cameron was a beautiful woman, and her confidence and sass added to her appeal. But she was so far out of my league that it was amazing we even breathed the same air.

I pointed a finger at him. “Oh, no. Don’t go getting any ideas. She’s not the one for me.”

“I still say it’s an opportunity you should take.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, then leaned forward against the table. “Look. If it’s about the money, I’m saving more than ever. I’ll pick up a second—”

“Stop. It’s not about the money.” He folded his arms in front of him and finally looked at me. “Look, I appreciate everything you’re doing. But you have to live your own life. I don’t need my little brother paying the price for my mistake, literally or figuratively.”

“I’m—”

“You are. It’s time for you to move on, Mac. Go. Let the boss lady showcase your talent. If nothing else, it will be something you can use to advertise our future business. But promise me, if something comes of this, you seize the moment.”

I shook my head. “You know I hate attention. Besides, it would mean I couldn’t come here for almost two months. No way. I’ve already let you down too many times.”

“Listen to me. You have never let me down. Until now. If you don’t take this opportunity to do something better, bigger, I’ll be pissed. I’ve made it this long. I’m pretty sure I can live without seeing my little brother’s ugly mug for a few weeks.”

I shook my head.

“Goddamn it. Take the opportunity and go build a name for yourself.”

I couldn’t believe he was encouraging this harebrained idea. “No way. If we’re careful, I’ve got enough money. I can move back here now. I can be with you for the parole hearing—”

“No.”

“Trey, if you’re—”

“No.”

I was starting to understand Cam’s earlier frustration with me and my one-word answers. “I’m not giving up coming to see you.”

His eyes grew even darker. “I’ll take you off my approved guest list.”

“You wouldn’t,” I shouted, drawing more warning glares from the guards. “Don’t even think about it,” I warned Trey in a quieter voice. “We’re a team. Me and you, remember? The Caldwell boys against the world.”

He stood and motioned to the guard that he was ready to leave.

“Wait.” I couldn’t let this come between us.

He paused and looked over his shoulder.

“I’ll do it.”

The smile that lit his face was worth whatever hell was coming my way. “And Mac?”

“Yeah?”

“Buy a new truck.”

The bastard.

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