Brady shakes his head.
“He works for Fenton. He told me Fenton was being questioned and his attorneys were with him and he would get a hold of me when he can. But what if he doesn’t?”
“He will.”
I sigh and sink against the wooden planks of the swing. My heart is empty and my soul full of dread. I need to make things right with him, just like he did for me. “I should’ve believed him.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” Brady quips. “You should always question everything. He’ll understand.”
“I just feel so rotten. So mean, Brady. So not like me.” I nod, squeezing my eyes shut to block out the memory. “I just wish I could see him. I just wish . . .”
My voice trails off as his face comes into my mind. The sincerity in his big, beautiful grey eyes as he told me he loves me. The playful smirk as he gave up the location of my bikinis. The genuineness when he handed me his mother’s necklace and told me to remember where my loyalty lies.
I clasp my fingers around the charm. My loyalty lies with my family, but it also lies with Fenton. He’s proven his love for me in a way I can barely wrap my head around. I’ll do whatever I need to do to show him it was worth it.
“Do you love him, Brynne?” Brady asks, watching me carefully.
“Yeah, Brady. I do. Whether I should or I shouldn’t, I can’t deny it. I don’t want to deny it.”
He stares at me, a blank look on his face. “Why shouldn’t you? He just saved my life, Brynne.”
“But he didn’t tell me who he was at first,” I sigh. “That gave me serious pause before. You know—could I trust him? Did he betray me? But I don’t think so now. Now having you back and hearing your side of things. But really that was the only way I’d ever know.”
He blows out a breath and stands, a limp to his stride I haven’t noticed before. He walks the few steps to the railing and leans against it, facing me. “People make mistakes. You know that; you’ve made your fair share. I’ve made mine. I’m sure Fenton’s made his own too, and I know he’s not some Prince Charming.”
“Oh, he’s charming,” I assure him, making him snort.
“I don’t want to know. He’s my boss and you’re my little sister.”
“Does that bother you?” I ask. “You know, there was a day, a particularly hard day, where I sat on the beach and told you about him. I told you how I felt about him and that I needed your advice on what to do. And now you’re here,” I say, still almost unable to believe it. “So you wanna give me some?”
“He’s a good guy,” he says, moving his shoulder and wincing. “And one I think you’d be really stupid not to get to know a little bit more. Just see what happens. I feel like I know him pretty well after all this,” he laughs, “and his friendship and loyalty is like no other.”
My hand goes to the elephant around my neck.
“What’s that?” Brady asks, peering through the darkness.
“It’s a necklace Fenton gave me. It’s an elephant.”
Brady smiles knowingly. “An elephant means family and loyalty in Zimbabwe. That’s why he gave that to you. He was telling you without telling you he would be loyal to you.”
I press it between my fingers and start to speak when I hear the faint jingle of my phone. “Oh my God! Where is it?”
Brady laughs, stepping out of the way. “In the kitchen on the table. I saw it when I walked by.”
I race inside and pick it up, my fingers flying over the keypad when I see Fenton’s name. “Fenton!” I breathe, my voice shaky. My heart is beating so hard I’m afraid I won’t be able to hear his voice. “Fenton! Are you there?”
“Hey,” he husks, his tone full of exhaustion. “How are you, rudo?”
“Where are you? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m home,” he says, and I know he’s grinning even though he’s demolished. The tenderness in his voice makes me weak, and I collapse into a chair as Brady walks back in the room, the little hole in my heart starting to fill up.
“I’ve been worried,” I say. “I’ve been trying to find out where you are. Just . . . it’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Did you see your brother?”
“He’s right here,” I smile, my heart flickering in my chest as I watch my brother limp to a chair and slide in. “Fenton, I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am,” I say, my voice breaking. “I can’t thank you enough. You brought him back, even when I said those horrible things to you.”
The line is quiet as I wait for him to respond. He doesn’t.
“I’m so sorry,” I cry. “I should’ve believed you. I—”
“It’s okay, rudo. I understand.”
“No, you don’t. I just . . .” I push away from the table, my blood pulsing in my veins. “I need to see you. Can I see you? Now?”