Page 71 of Play Dirty (Brooklyn Dawn 1)

I’d known Logan a long time too. Just not nearly as long as Kyle.

We’d had fun back then, but even at the beginning, I was more concerned with writing and singing than fame. Or women. I’d never minded being popular with the ladies, but it hadn’t driven me. The urge to create was my fuel. I wanted to leave some kind of legacy behind, at least more than my father had running his fishing boat.

But Joseph Alexander Nash didn’t care about any of that. He hadn’t tried to make a mark. His goal was to get the daily catch, make his money, go out with his mates, and roll on home to do it again the next day.

He didn’t think about what it all meant. About the goddamn point. He had bills, so he paid them. He liked beer, so he drank it. Never to excess. Besides, if he did, he wasn’t stupid enough to get behind the wheel of a car when he was past his limit.

Like father, unlike son.

What Kyle lacked in drive he’d been granted in family support. His parents and sisters had been closer to me than my own blood. They’d welcomed me, giving me a couch to sleep on when I messed up and there was no comfort to be found at home. When my father was out with his friends late at night, I’d found my solace with the Bradys.

Much like the fictional family on TV, they’d seemed almost too good to be true. And because they were so good, they’d rightfully cast me out once I harmed their son.

I wasn’t good. In any shape or form.

“Luckily, I’m still part of the circle.” Kyle’s smile was a touch too bright. “How long have we known each other, Nash?”

“A long time.” I forced a smile because I didn’t want to reveal the depth of my unease. Much as I hated it, I finally released Lindsey and stepped back. “What brings you here? I didn’t realize you’d be in the area.”

He lived near me in the city, so it wasn’t that far of a trip. But we didn’t have that kind of relationship anymore. In the old days, Kyle stopping in somewhere without warning wouldn’t have been weird. Once, we were as tight as thieves.

Then the accident happened.

Everything had changed that night. Every time I looked at him and saw the scars he bore as a result of my actions, I couldn’t take a full breath. I wasn’t sure I had since the moment we’d been saved.

He’d almost died, for God’s sake.

Kyle chuckled. “I called, remember?”

I frowned. We’d barely spoken for a minute or two. I’d mentioned Logan’s in passing, and that I would see Kyle when I returned.

Yet he’d read that as an invitation?

“You mentioned you’d be here. Hell, you practically invited me yourself. I read your cues, brother.” Kyle’s grin made my shoulders tighten.

What cues had he picked up? Whatever they were, they were wrong. I definitely hadn’t wanted him here. Every time I saw him, I remembered the accident.

As if it ever fully left me anyway.

“So, why wouldn’t I come?” he continued. “I know it’s late, but I had stuff to handle first. Work shit. Not like I had anything holding me back on the personal side.” Kyle turned his attention to Lindsey, his dark eyes far too sharp. “Besides, it’s not like I get many opportunities to meet icons like

Lindsey York and Logan King. I have to snag those chances when I can.”

Lindsey laughed, her natural easy, charming self. Only I could feel the tension emanating from her. She didn’t even know the full story. Unless she’d made assumptions based on Kyle’s scars.

“We aren’t here long,” I began.

“I figured you two would be packing it in soon.” When neither of us spoke, Logan shrugged. “So, I offered Kyle a room, figuring he’d enjoy the experience of watching you two work tomorrow.” Logan slid his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. “All the parts fit to print at least.”

The disappointment that carved through me was followed swiftly by guilt. Always guilt. “You heard it yourself, we have the songs. So, no real reason for us both to stick around much longer. And I have a pair waiting for me at home.”

I hadn’t allowed myself to think much about Brutus and Sarge. I’d already called twice to make sure Sarge was drinking enough water and that Brutus was sticking to his special diet.

But I wasn’t going to elaborate. Kyle and Lo knew my situation, and that was good enough.

Lindsey cut me a look that was pure malice. I could be grateful it wasn’t tinged with hurt, even as I rued that I’d caused it in the first place.

I couldn’t hang around here forever, pretending I was a man with a future. That was just the way it was. No sense belaboring the point.

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