Truth or Spare (Princes Take New York #2)

Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

W hat were they, now that they had kissed and Theo had Walter?

Theo noted the various ways he was slowly tying himself to Oslo. Instead of being wary about his obligations to his brothers, for once, Theo was thrilled at how well he was fitting in and the friends he was making.

All on his own! Without his brother’s title or the family name.

Theo was becoming invested in other people’s lives—who weren’t von Hessens—and he wanted to be around to see them succeed and find happiness. He didn’t want to go before the shelter was finished or the league’s season ended and the trophies were handed out. He wanted to be there in case Keith actually said something nice to someone and Theo didn’t like the idea of Dewey being alone at the alley for hours at a time.

It was a particularly slow and quiet morning and Theo was thoroughly content as he reclined on lane 3, enjoying a cup of tea and a majestic view with Walter. Cassie had dropped off coffee, tea, and warm muffins and the view was of Dewey’s backside as he tightened the bolts on lane 4’s bench. Theo particularly appreciated how well Dewey filled out his Levi’s and how competent he looked as he worked.

“Why are all the benches pink?” Theo asked. “I love them but it’s an unusual choice, isn’t it?”

Dewey chuckled as he worked. “My grandpa got them secondhand before I was born. I guess a chain of laundromats was remodeling, out in New York and Jersey, and someone got word to him.” He stood, groaning as he leaned on the black armchair at the control pad, giving the backrest a pat. “All of these were out of a pair of salons and used to have dryers attached right here,” he said as he pointed at the metal frame. “They painted over it, but you can see the screw holes where Dad and Gramps removed them.”

“Wirklich?” Theo asked as he turned to inspect the back of his chair, marveling at the elder Brooks’ craftiness. “I love how much history this place has.” He looked around and tried to imagine it in Dewey’s grandfather’s day and how it would change with the next generation. Dewey had said that he planned to leave the bowling alley to Bryce or one of his kids later and Theo wondered how they would change it. “You said Bryce was coming home soon?”

“Yup! Week after next is spring break!” Dewey cheered and pumped a fist excitedly, making Theo smile. Very little excited Dewey but he lit up like a Christmas tree whenever Bryce’s name was mentioned.

Oddly, Theo was nervous about Bryce’s return. The youngest Brooks’ spirit was always present, even if he was miles from the bowling alley. Bryce’s name was mentioned by nearly every patron as they passed through, enquiring about his progress at university and when he’d return. Theo often found notes hidden under tools and taped to machines, reminding Dewey to do a task an easier way or to take a break.

Brooks Bowling and Dewey obviously meant a great deal to Bryce and Theo hoped for the young man’s approval. He was a major piece of the alley’s history and Dewey’s pride and joy. But Theo would have to make a good impression on the younger man if he wanted to stay and be a part of their future.

That was a very humbling prospect for a man accustomed to universal adoration. He had charmed the people of Oslo without his brother’s title, but Theo expected Bryce to have a far more critical and protective eye.

His phone rang, as if Theo had transmitted his concerns and the closest brother had received them.

“Grü? Gott, Teo,” he said when he answered, once again admiring the view as Dewey resumed work on lane 4’s wobbly bench.

“When are you coming back?” Matteo asked. “It’s been weeks . How long are you planning to make me worry like this?

“I can’t say.”

“What do you mean, you can’t say? You don’t work for the government or the military.”

Theo chuckled, giving Walter’s head a scratch. “I’m not doing this to get back at you and to make you worry, despite what you may believe. I have Walter now. I can’t just take off whenever I want anymore.”

“Who the hell is Walter? And why can’t you leave?” Matteo asked, his voice rising.

Of course, Theo could have explained that he had adopted a basset hound named Walter and that he might be falling for the owner of an Upstate New York bowling alley. But Theo didn’t think that would be very reassuring. If anything, that would only freak Matteo out more.

“Let’s say, hypothetically, that I didn’t…come back. What if this is where I belong? You told me to do something for myself and I think I know what I want now, but I’m worried about you and Eli.”

“I’m worried about you ,” Matteo countered. “Have you joined a cult? Is Walter your leader?” he asked seriously.

“A cult?” Theo laughed and fiddled with one of Walter’s velvety ears. “Could you imagine it, Walter?” he said to the dog, earning a dry snuffle in response.

“You don’t sound well. Are you on drugs?”

“Nee, I’m not on drugs, Teo.”

“Are you sure? You’ve never gone anywhere for this long and you don’t do relationships, but now you’re committed to this Walter? You’re being evasive and I’m not even sure if Walter is real or if you’re having a mental crisis.”

“You’re going to have to take my word on this one. Walter is real and I’m not having a mental crisis. I’m on my own for once, the way you suggested. Why are you having such a hard time with this?”

“Because you don’t keep secrets and you always come back.”

“It sounds like you regret telling me to get my own life,” Theo said knowingly, earning a loud groan from Matteo.

“Oida, will you come back if I admit that I just wanted you to get a life for that night? Eli and I might have been worried that you…kannst wie eine Klette sein, but this is much worse, Theo. I don’t know where you are or what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

“Clingy? I was not clingy.”

“I’m appreciating it more now?” Matteo attempted but Theo rolled his eyes.

“I have to go,” he said, checking his watch. “My break is almost over and Walter probably needs to pee again.”

“Wie bitte?”

“I love you and I’ll check in soon. Ciao,” Theo said and ended the call before Matteo could ask more questions.

Theo wasn’t deflecting and being evasive solely to get on Matteo’s nerves. He genuinely wasn’t sure what his intentions were with Dewey and Oslo. But Theo was enjoying the man he was becoming and didn’t want his brothers or the von Hessen dynasty interfering until he was certain.

His days at the bowling alley and in the Winnie with Dewey and Walter were like a safe, happy bubble and Theo wasn’t ready for it to pop. He knew it would eventually and that everyone would see him differently, but Theo would keep his real life at bay and enjoy his time incognito in Oslo for as long as he could.

There was another call and Theo pulled a face when he recognized Leo’s office number at Schonbühel. “Na, I don’t know what Matteo said, but I am fine,” Theo answered, receiving a distracted snort from Leo.

“Are you being held by a cult?”

“Nee.”

“Have you seen our aunt’s blaue Handtasche?”

“No, I have not,” Theo said slowly, acknowledging the secret phrase they had established as children, in case one of them needed rescuing but couldn’t risk asking for help.

“Good to hear. Servus,” Leo said briskly.

“Baba,” Theo replied, then hung up.

Perhaps Theo should have asked Leo for advice about Dewey and what would happen if he fell in love with an American and decided to stay. Leo would probably say that it was time to have a real conversation with Dewey but there was one experience Theo wasn’t keen to have a go at: rejection.

Dewey wasn’t interested in fame, titles, or wealth. If anything, Theo suspected they would be a turnoff and make him less interesting in Dewey’s eyes. He was a simple, decent man with a demanding life, filled with real concerns and important responsibilities. Dewey worried about things like hours and overtime and direct deposits while Theo worried about little things like crows feet and his wardrobe and outsmarting Matteo.

They were not the same.

No matter how much Theo pretended, the truth was always waiting, like a bill in an envelope that had yet to be opened. And he wouldn’t blame Dewey if he took one look at what was inside and threw it back in Theo’s face. He barely had enough patience for the Theo he already knew and had come to tolerate. Finding out that Theo was even wealthier and more out of touch with reality probably wouldn’t make him more appealing to Dewey.

“Hey, Theo,” Dewey said as he worked. “If you wouldn’t mind, make sure all the toilets are flushing before anyone gets here. I did a load of towels this morning and I heard some scary sounds coming from the plumbing. We might have a blockage between us and the street.”

“Nicht die Bohne, boss!” Theo gave him a salute as he rose, then paused. “What might cause something like that?” he asked with an apprehensive wince.

Dewey shook his head. “Who knows? The plumbing is so old in this place, a wad of paper towels or some birthday napkins could rupture something and shut us down.”

“Ach so... Are paper towels not supposed to be flushed?” Theo asked and Dewey dropped the tool he was using as he snapped upright.

“Please tell me you did not flush some paper towels.” His eyes were huge and he looked terrified.

“Nein!” Theo said, even though he had flushed nearly a whole roll the evening prior.

Their skincare products had arrived and Theo had given Cassie a quick tutorial in the bathroom, during his break. The alley had been quiet and Dewey was nodding off in his office, so Theo didn’t see the harm. Cassie was overwhelmed with all the products he’d ordered and didn’t want to use them incorrectly.

“How about you let me take care of it? I’ll call whomever you recommend and this one’s on me.” He offered Dewey his biggest, brightest smile as he held up his phone.

“It’s on you? We’re not talking about lunch, Theo. Call Randy. His card is taped to the side of the register. We’ll see what he says and go from there.”

Theo held up his thumb. “Super! I’ll handle it from here,” he said before he turned and calmly walked to the front desk. He located the card and the number and was relieved when a gentleman answered. “Good morning, sir! My name is Theo and I’m calling from Brooks Family Bowling. I think a rupture may be imminent. I don’t care how much it costs, please get here as fast as you can.”