Page 42 of A Damaged Soul
When Rhett looked at me with pleading eyes, I gave him an encouraging nod. He could do this.
"I would like to."
"Good, because I missed seeing your stupid face at holiday dinners."
All three of us laughed, and the tension that followed us throughout the ride suddenly dissipated.
Zack and I helped Rhett out of the vehicle and into the town house, despite his insistence that he could do it himself.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how nice the place was when we got inside.
"Did Black decorate for you as well?" Zack took the question right out of my mouth.
"Yup, he had a designer come in and do all the work. I can't take credit for any of this."
The town house had an open concept and was gorgeous. If you walked straight into a small sitting area, on one side and the staircase leading upstairs on the other, straight back was a kitchen-and-dining-room combo with the living room off that. I couldn't say for sure, but I guessed upstairs had at least two bedrooms and a bathroom based on the size.
"It's gorgeous."
"Glad someone can appreciate it," Rhett grumbled.
I rolled my eyes. "You could too if you stopped being so damn stubborn."
"On that note, I'm going to leave."
I was shocked by Zack's statement. After all his harassing about family time and he was just going to leave?
"Wait, what?"
The man had the nerve to chuckle. "As much as I would love to stay and continue this bonding experience, I think you have it handled. Besides, I have a wife at home with my three offspring. I assure you she's going to kill me if I stay gone too long."
Well, now that he said it like that, it kinda made sense. Those three kids were probably giving her a run for her money, and I didn't even know them that well.
We said our goodbyes, and I walked Zack outside.
"Take care of him, will you?"
I smiled at Zack. It was clear as day he loved his little brother. "I'll do my best."
"I know you will. Otherwise I wouldn't leave. I would sooner fly Leslie and the kids up here."
I doubted that was a good idea. I didn't think Rhett was ready for that much family interaction.
I waited until Zack pulled away before heading back inside. I found Rhett waiting for me on the designer sofa in front of the window.
"Finally some alone time." His eyes sparkled, and I knew that look.
"The doctor said no strenuous activities for you, mister."
His face fell. "You're really going to make me follow the doctor's orders?"
"To a T," I advised him.
The smoldering look he gave me told me I was in for trouble and would likely cave long before he was allowed to partake in activities.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Rhett
