“I know I’m not your dad or even your uncle, but let’s pretend you give a damn what I think. Keep out of trouble, Camden.” If his voice hadn’t been so soft, I would have scoffed.

My muscles stiffened, but I held his stare as he continued.

“I know you’re a good man, not because of who you were as a teen but because that reckless boy grew into the man who came back when his family called. You knew what you were walking into, given what happened when you were here last, and that speaks volumes to your character—to who you are now. But some people in town, namely ones named Hall, aren’t going to give you a fair shake. He’s still counting every mark you’d racked up from a decade ago, if what he was saying this morning at Earl’s was any indication. He’s looking for the first reason to lock you up or throw you out.”

The warning was oddly touching, even though my inner teenager wanted to throw it back in his face and tell him to mind his own business.

“You all still meet up at Earl’s?” That old barbershop was on the receiving end of more gossip than Ivy’s Salon.

“Haven’t you noticed that nothing changes around here?” He grinned.

“Yeah, I’m beginning to catch on.” I started down the steps and turned as I reached the hood of the Jeep. “And thank you. I appreciate the warning.”

His eyebrows rose a fraction. “You’re welcome. And if you need anything, you know where to find me. Just don’t make me post bail, okay?” His lips quirked up in a failed attempt to keep a straight face.

“Hey, that was only once. Twice, if you count the time—”

“I do. Everyone does. It’s good to see you, Camden.”

My lips pressed into a line, and I offered a nod. Then I got the hell out of there.

…

“When I said ‘let’s get together,’ I didn’t mean it had to be tonight or at the bar,” I said to Xander as we held down the back-corner table at Mother Lode, Alba’s only bar, a few days later. “It’s Saturday night. I’m sure you have better things to do than hang with your little brother.”

Xander leaned back in his seat and loosened his tie, his suit coat already draped across the back of the chair. “I haven’t seen you in years. Of course I’m going to jump at the chance to have dinner with you twice in a week.”

“You could have jumped at Bigg’s,” I offered. “Man, I’ve missed those burgers.”

“We can grab them tomorrow if you want. It’s not like we’re on a time line anymore, right?”