Chapter 21
Hair damp from a quick shower, Emerson sauntered out from his cabin, checking his watch.
He’d expected Dash to return earlier. As the seconds ticked by, he grew more and more worried.
Trying to keep his mind off things, he’d spent the early afternoon tidying up and grabbing a few groceries.
His nerves were shot at the thought of hosting Randall on the boat the family thought was long gone.
Would his brother get even more pissed that he’d hidden one more thing?
Maybe Dash had been right. Maybe they should’ve met elsewhere. He feared it was too late to change his mind, though. He’d promised Dash, so he was stuck.
All he had left was to wait. He snagged a beer from the fridge before he walked out on the deck, the sun low in the sky.
Everything was a bold mix of pink, yellow, and orange, the hue cast over all his eyes could see.
It was reflected below, the calm surface of the water shimmering with sparkling light.
Emerson had too much on his mind to enjoy the view as much as it deserved to be appreciated, though.
He leaned over the side of the boat to glance down the dock, hoping to see Dash striding closer. Emerson’s cell vibrated, and he fished it out of his pocket.
Dash
Running late! Sorry—I got pulled in re: another case and didn’t notice the time. On my way.
Emerson
He’s not here yet, so you’re good. Don’t speed.
Of course, Emerson wanted Dash to hurry so he’d arrive before Randall but sensed that wouldn’t be the case.
He sat on one of the benches on the deck, popped the top off his beer, and lifted the bottle to his lips, pretending to appreciate that sunset.
Half a beer later, footfalls sounded down the dock, but he refused to jump up to take a glimpse.
His stomach tightened, though. Randall wasn’t going to be pleased to see him.
Emerson turned his head when his brother appeared at the side of the boat. His eyes widened with anger before he glanced down at his phone. After a spin where he seemed to search for anywhere to go besides right there, Randall stopped and eyed him, one brow rising.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Randall asked loudly. He looked around. “Where’s Dash?”
“He got tied up and is running a few minutes late.”
“So, what—are you his welcome wagon?” Randall asked.
“It is my boat he’s using for your meeting.”
Randall’s brows furrowed and he glanced down. “When did you buy a boat?”
“I inherited it.”
Randall scoffed. “Uncle Lenny’s? The one you supposedly sold twenty years ago?”
“It hasn’t been quite that long,” Emerson murmured.
“Not far from it,” Randall snapped, adjusting a backpack higher on one shoulder. “I didn’t sign up for this.” He turned and headed back up the dock.
“Don’t take your anger at me out on Dash. Please.”
Randall’s footsteps stopped. Emerson counted the seconds, praying he walked back. He got to ten before he heard softer steps returning.
“How long before Dash gets here? I don’t have all night.”
“He didn’t say. He texted about ten minutes ago, so I assume it won’t be too much longer.”
Randall glared at him.
“You want to come inside?”
His brother searched his face for a couple of seconds before pulling his gaze and growling under his breath. “Yeah, sure, whatever.”
“You don’t have to,” Emerson said.
“No. I don’t.”
Emerson rose and looked Randall square in the face. “I know you’re disappointed, but do you think we can be civil tonight?”
“Sure,” Randall snapped sarcastically.
Oh, this is going to be a fun night.
Randall climbed onboard, and Emerson headed for the door, opening it.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
Randall followed him in. “Whatever you’ve got is fine.”
After seeing ginger ale in his brother’s house, he’d picked some up at the grocery store. “Beer or ginger ale?”
“Ginger ale,” Randall said, looking around the interior. “I need my wits tonight.”
His wits? Emerson gave his brother a long look before he pulled a bottle of the same brand Randall drank from the fridge and handed it over. Randall gave it a glance before opening it and taking a long gulp. He set his backpack on the booth table before sliding in and gazing around.
“You live here?”
“When I’m not at the station, yeah.”
“All that bullshit about bed hopping was actual bullshit, then?” Randall asked.
Emerson nodded. “For the most part.”
“Anything else you’ve been hiding from us?”
“I think that’s about it,” Emerson said before finishing up his beer. “The boat. How I spend my nights. Can’t imagine there’s much else.”
“Is Dash your boyfriend?”
Emerson shook his head. “No.”
Randall searched his face a moment before looking away. “See… something tells me that’s a lie. I’m tired of being lied to, Em.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
Randall narrowed his eyes.
“But he is something. What that is, I don’t know. We don’t know.”
Randall held his stare. It seemed a little of the anger and animosity had simmered down with that admission.
“It’s not like it’s legal to be anything with him,” Emerson murmured.
“So, you are… alpha-attracted.”
Emerson was hesitant to answer but eventually nodded. “I am.”
Randall didn’t respond.
“I know that disappoints you, but hopefully you’ll find a way to accept me as I am.”
“Accept you?” Randall asked, frowning. “Who said I didn’t?”
Emerson met his brother’s hard stare. “You called me an asshole and kicked me out of your house yesterday when I alluded to it.”
“I got pissed when you alluded to it being the reason why you’ve not been around. That’s fucked up, Em.”
Emerson froze.
“Isn’t it bad enough you’ve ignored me my entire life? Now, instead of trusting me and letting me in, you pushed me away further. You never even gave me a chance.”
“I didn’t ignore you.”
“You did! All of you did.” Randall sighed.
“We were all close growing up.”
“You and Harry were thick as thieves. Fitz and Lucas were, too. I was the odd man out. The little pain in the ass following around my big alpha brothers—who never wanted me around.” Randall shook his head. “And now you’re using this excuse for why you couldn’t bother to be around more? Fuck that.”
“I’m sorry,” Emerson said, confused. He didn’t remember things from their childhood that way.
“You can shove your sorries up your ass,” Randall said. “I’m tired of hearing them.”
“Should I go wait outside and let you finish your argument first—or what?” Dash asked.
Emerson’s head whipped towards the door where Dash stood, peeking in.
“No, I think I’ve said all I want to say to him right now,” Randall said, avoiding Emerson’s gaze. He turned to eye Dash. “Glad you finally made it.”
“I apologize.” Dash’s gaze whipped to Emerson’s before he walked into the salon and closed the door behind him. “An unexpected visitor showed up on my doorstep as I was trying to leave.”
A breeze wafted over from the closing of the door, and Emerson scented vanilla and bourbon. Not Dash’s scent. Not Randall’s. Not his own.
Another alpha?
Curious, Emerson walked closer to Dash, pinning the man with his hard gaze. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Water?”
Emerson nodded. Before he walked away, he scented the air again. Whoever’s scent it was, it was definitely coming from Dash. Emerson’s hands curled into fists at his side.
Who the fuck had Dash been with and why was he wearing the alpha’s scent?