He smiled wickedly at me, but the usual older brother teasing rolled right off my back.

“Seriously, though. You guys will do great.”

“Thank you,” he said.

He grabbed the tray he’d placed aside and handed it to me. “Eloise sent birthday cookies.”

“Tell her thank you for me,” I answered, noticing she’d made my favorite: double chocolate.

“Will you be spending today with Stone?” Calvin asked.

I heard the real question hidden under it. Nosey brother, trying to figure out what exactly me and Stone were.

“Doubt it,” I shrugged. “He’s not here, and I honestly have no idea where he went.”

“Then Mallory?” he asked, and I saw the slight frown growing.

“Yes,” I lied, not wanting to worry him.

“Good. I have to run into work today. Otherwise, I’d offer,” Calvin said.

“Work on Saturday?”

“I’m working overtime to prepare for this baby,” he answered with a smile.

“Now who’s the workaholic?”

He threw his hands up. “I suppose it’s me now,” he laughed.

I hated that he had to go. I didn’t want to return to sitting in this empty house, the lie of seeing Mallory causing more disappointment. Her name reminded me of something I needed to ask my brother.

“Hey, you used to be friends with the sheriff’s son, Chris, right?” I asked.

“I did,” Calvin said, his brows furrowing.

“But you aren’t anymore?” I asked.

“Not since that trip I helped him and his father with three years ago.”

“Trip?”

“Remember the one I borrowed your camping gear for?” he said.

The Briarport Wilderness Trip—Id completely forgotten about the annual trip sponsored by the sheriff’s office meant to teach elementary students wilderness skills.

“I do now,” I said with a nod.

“Well, when we were on the trip, I just realized what an asshole the guy is,” he said.

“That seems to be the sentiment around town,” I murmured.

“When news reached the sheriff of another killing, Chris thought it’d be hilarious to scare the kids on the trip. Half of them wanted to leave early, thinking the Coastal Killer would be coming for our trip next,” Calvin said as he shook his head. “Made me realize that wasn’t someone I wanted to be friends with.”

A killing while they were on the trip meant…

“Mallory doesn’t like him either,” I added.

“Good. You both should stay far away from him.”

It was rare I saw Calvin’s overprotective side, but his words came out firm, with no room for argument. I appreciated the sentiment.

“I have to get to work, but I hope you have a good birthday, Len,” he said, standing and heading toward the door. “I’ll see you at the clambake, right?”

“I’d never leave you to fend for yourself with our parents,” I joked.

“Good, because you owe me for leaving me alone with them before dinner was over,” he teased back.