Page 52 of Sleeping with the Dark (The Righteous 3)
“I think I’m going to leave you two alone for a few minutes. I have someone I want you to meet when you’re done—we’ll be in the living room.” Cody pushed away from where he’d been leaning against the door frame and disappeared down the hall.
“Here, let me help you.” Arek dashed over and held out the housecoat for Trev.
Sighing, he let his brother help, and then, before he could do anything else, he grabbed Arek by the shoulders. “Stop it.”
“I don’t understand. I’m just trying to be nice and considerate. Isn’t that what you want?”
“I appreciate that, but I have always loved you the way you were. I don’t need you to become my dancing monkey for me to love you.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.” Arek’s face darkened as he looked away. “Fine, I might be a little. . .you scared me again. Twice now, you have given me a heart attack. I feel like this is karma for all the shit I’ve put you through.”
“I can’t say anything about karma, that bitch and I have our own issues.” He gave a chuckle, but Arek’s face didn’t lighten. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” Trev dropped his hands from his brother’s shoulders.
“I just wish I’d been the type of brother you could come to—you have no idea how it tears me up inside that you didn’t feel like you could talk to me. I was supposed to be the one person you could confide in and….” Trev stared into his brother’s eyes, which held just as many scars as his own. “I failed.”
“Our sorrows and wounds are healed when we touch them with compassion,” Trev said, holding out his hand to his brother.
“Did you just quote Buddha to me?” Arek lifted a brow at him.
“This is the most honest conversation we’ve ever had. I love you but turning into someone else is not what I want. Unless you’re offering to stop putting your foot in it?”
Arek’s face lit up as he held his hands out to the side. “It’s all part of the Arek experience, but for you… I would do anything.”
“Don’t make me cry. I’ll fucking punch you in the face.” Trev pulled on Arek’s arm until he stepped in for a hug. “Brothers, we stand together,” Trev said.
“Apart we fall,” Arek finished as they gripped one another tight. Trev stepped back, breaking the embrace, but the lighter mood remained. Arek smiled. “Come on,we better go see what stray Cody has dragged in.”
Trev glanced at his brother as they ventured down the hall. It was like seeing him for the first time. There was no bitterness, no walls and he didn’t see the boy who he’d been, but the man he is now.
Cody couldn’t help worrying about what was going on between Trev and Arek—Trev didn’t need another setback. Two operations so close together, and his stubborn ass didn’t want to accept any help. Arek should’ve left him tied to the bed.
Renee laughed, and he looked into the smoky reflection to see her smiling as Ray told another one of his famous dad jokes. That was what Little Spice called them. J.J. was sitting up straight in a large leather chair that most likely belonged to Trev and stared at Ray like he was about to bust out the Spanish Inquisition. There was a slight glare on his face, and his lips pressed together as he openly analyzed this newcomer. The kid was smart, much smarter than he’d been at that age. He’d been more interested in fart sounds. It hurt to think J.J. had to grow up so fast—how he wished he could turn back time.
“Just use the bloody cane. It looks dignified,” Arek complained.
Cody smirked as he heard Arek and Trev heading their way, the distinct sound of bickering echoing along the hallway.
“I’ll dignify you if you don’t stop treating me like I’m dying,” Trev growled back.
“You did almost die, so take the cane, or I’m beating you with it,” Arek snarled back, and everyone, including himself, couldn’t help but laugh.
“Are you sure you want me to have a weapon?” Trev said, but there was now a distinct thump sound as the cane hit the floor.
“I can walk faster than your turtle pace, I think I’ll be okay.”
“Jerk.”
“Stubborn.”
A moment later, the pair came into view, and as usual, his stomach flipped with the wild butterflies at the sight of Trev—he was intoxicating to his system.
“Sit here, Uncle Trev.” J.J. bounced out of the chair, patting it with his small hand like he was inviting a dog to jump up.
“Thank you, J.J. Are you going to sit with me?” Trev’s movements were slow as he walked over and lowered himself into the chair.
“Can I?” J.J. grinned.
“May I,” Trev corrected but smiled back.
