Page 36 of One Last Rainy Day
“This says it all.” He shakes the certificate. “So, I’m guessing you didn’t leave a forwarding address?”
“No point.”
“He paid for it and wanted to see it. I’m willing to bet that when he did, it was one of the proudest moments of his life.”
The sentiment hits so hard that my throat burns. Whether the gift is a manipulation to placate me or not, I know Tyler’s words are truer than my own. My brother has never shied away from his pride in me, no matter what company is present. Not ever. He knew Tyler would be the one to hand my degree to me, and this was his way of displaying that pride as both brother...and father.
“He ordered this over a year ago,” Tyler cuts in, his words striking deep. “Even with my connections, it took me months to find capable enough hands to design it—and more than one set—because this is the only one of its kind. We made fucking sure of it.”
Emotion threatens as he continues.
“Dom, you may think our club is his greatest accomplishment—”
“You can go now,” I say, draining the rest of my cold coffee, my heart pounding harder with his assurances. He ignores me as usual, forever playing big brother, even though he’s only got me beat in age by months.
“It may not seem like it at times, but you’re the only one that helps him make sense of his life when he can’t. He’s been where you are. Just as frustrated, just as eager to dole out punishment and forced to wait...and do you know why?”
For us.
For us to grow up,manup, to understand the importanceof what we’re doing. For us to align at the right fucking time. For the here and now.
“You’ve made your point,” I manage to get out without emotion in my tone.
“All right, man.” Tyler rounds my chair to get a better look, eyes brimming with satisfaction. “Just...to finally see it, it’s fucking unreal.”
“A million-dollar laptop,” I utter, turning back to the screen, equally awestruck.
Tyler scoffs. “The down payment.”
“Fucking serious?”
He grips my shoulder. “I questioned whether or not to let you have your new toy this late, but orders are orders, and he wanted you to have it as soon as it got here.” Taking in my appearance, he shakes his head with a grin. “You need some fucking sleep, but I can see by that smile you’re trying so hard to hide that there’s no chance of that happening. I’ll cover your shift at the garage tomorrow.”
“I’ll owe you,” I tell him, running my fingers over the most sophisticated equipment on the planet—the possibilities endless. Tobias might not be greenlighting my plans, but he just gave me the perfect fucking tool to carry them out when the time comes.
It’s a promise.
A promise of future permission, and it’s enough for now.
“You’re his greatest investment,” Tyler sneaks in as my eyes start to burn. I can’t help, nor do I give a fuck about what emotion he hears when I finally speak. “It’s fucking perfect. Thanks, man, really.”
He tosses a new burner phone on my desk before walking toward my door. “Don’t thankme.”
Chapter Seventeen
STALKING DOWN THEhall toward Sean’s bedroom, I’m stopped outside when I hear his low chuckle and, a second later, realize he’s not alone when a soft reply is whispered.
Cecelia.
Figures. They’ve been inseparable since they made up poolside a week ago. “That must have been some dream, Pup.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You were moaning. What was my girl doing?”
A pause.
“I don’t remember.”
