“Do you know what that does to a man?” he sputters. “Losing sleep is like walking around drunk. Impaired.” He puts an indignant hand to his chest. “Do you want me to get in an accident?”

“Aren’t you already walking around drunk?” Driver takes his feet off the desk and sits up. “If what Huck says is true—”

“Am I being put on trial here?” Beau runs a flustered hand through his hair. “Because if I am, I want legal representation.” A grin breaks through his serious expression, and he struggles to keep it hidden.

I let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re all impossible. And I want plans, Beau. Before you host another event.”

He frowns. “My next event starts tonight at seven. There’s no possible way—”

“Find a way.” I stand up from my seat like I’m at the head of the table in a boardroom. “Driver, I need a plan from you before you head out again.” Driver checks his watch, then opens his mouth. “If that means leaving later, then leave later. Charlie—” Charlie perks up. “We need to have another discussion. Are you free in an hour?” He nods crisply, the satisfaction evident on his face. “And Huck....” His slouch is petulant, and now that I’m looking at him, I don’t remember quite why I wanted him in this meeting in the first place. Mostly, I wanted to feel like I was in control of something, which isn’t easy to admit. “No more stalling on graduation. Finish the senior seminar so we can work out whether you want to be part of this or not.”

“Great.” Huck stands up from his chair and sticks his hand out for me to shake. “Thanks, boss.”

I don’t take him up on the offer. Instead, I wave them all out. “Back to work, everybody.”

As my brothers file out, I catch Driver whispering to Charlie—something to the effect of on the balcony? Some nerve.… Charlie laughs.

I sink back into my chair with a scowl. I don’t feel much better than before the meeting, and it’s all because of Jenny.

Not that she did anything wrong, per se. It was only that once her steak was gone, she stood up like a princess at a public appearance, gathered up her camera, and said that she was sorry, but she just couldn’t stay another moment.

“Jenny,” I hear from the hallway. When I look up, she’s standing right in the center of all my brothers. “What do you think about the luau idea?” Beau has a five-second rebound.

“It was a good one,” she says, then catches sight of me over his shoulder.

She gives me a tentative wave, biting her lip.

She looks regretful.

And just like that, I feel a hell of a lot better.

15

Jenny

I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t do it.