Page 70 of All The Way Under
“I’m shocked neither one of your parents is in the medical field. I feel like they were probably constantly at the doctor’s with you two growing up.”
“We are grown up and still needing care,” Brody slurs.
Nolan messes with the electric switch to lower the fire.
“I’m really glad he’s marrying you, you know that?”
Catherine laughs. “Why? Because I’m a nurse?”
“No, because you see him,” Brody replies.
Everyone silences at the statement because Brody doesn’t say stuff like this sober. It’s almost scary.
What else might he say? That he thinks I’m a mistake because of my family? His mind is secretive. I can tell he guards the contents, and the words he chooses to say are presented with care. My fear is he’ll say something so truthful that there will be no coming back from it.
“Why don’t we get you to bed?” Nolan says, helping Brody stand and wrapping an arm around his waist. “You really let loose today, McBrode, and you need some sleep. We can continue the debauchery tomorrow if you’re not hugging the porcelain toilet.”
Catherine and I confirm the fire is all the way off, and she grabs the tray with snacks and teacups.
“I mean it, Nolan,” Brody continues. “I’m just happy for you.”
Nolan side-eyes Brody. “Happy is never a word you use, so forgive me for ordering you to bed.”
There’s a lull in conversation as we reach the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the second-story deck.
“Don’t take me down. Catherine is out of sutures in her medical kit, and she might leave me if we injure ourselves again,” Nolan warns his twin.
I notice how Nolan dodges the emotion with his brother, knowing Brody would be horrified if he knew what he was saying in front of other people. Even if it is me.
“Brody,” I chime in, walking close behind the twins, keeping my hand on the metal pole handrail.
Never do I believe men deserve the dignity of their thoughts staying hidden, but somehow and some way, Brody does. I’ve never seen him drunk, but our exposure to normal, civilized settings has been limited.
“Are you always brutally honest when you’ve been drinking?”
“Yes,” Brody and Nolan say at the same time.
“It’s how I know when to cut him off,” Nolan says alone.
“I only drink like this when I’m with my brother,” Brody slurs. “When I’m with the people I trust.”
Nolan slaps his back as we get into the house. “I’m flattered. Now go to sleep.”
Brody listens, heading up the staircase to our room, where Grimace has been asleep in his bed for hours.
The thought pops up that I should check in with security, but I look at my phone on the counter, and there aren’t any messages from them.
There is a group text from my mom and Bronwyn about a small get-together she’s hosting next week. My sister is trying to get out of it without luck, and my mom is crying about wanting some normalcy after what she’s been through. I roll my eyes, and even though I’d love to skip her party, I won’t. I’ll respond tomorrow, though.
Nolan locks the French doors leading outside while Catherine goes downstairs to check the door to the garage and the front door.
“You mean a lot to him,” Nolan says. “More than I’ve seen anyone other than his damn dog mean to him.”
I nod, knowing exactly where this is going.
“It’s serious. We are serious,” I tell Nolan.
When they aren’t side by side, the resemblance between them is uncanny. The strong nose and glowing eyes, the jaw that’s square and strong.
