“Then don’t waste your time trying to get comfortable first. There isn’t much comfortable about relationships, not if it’s a good one at least. Ask. Him. Out.”

Michael puffed out his cheeks and slowly exhaled. “What if he says yes?”

Silas furrowed his brow. “Then you go out?”

“I mean, this is small-town Idaho. Not San Francisco or New York. What’s everyone in town going to say about two guys on a date?”

Silas dried his hands before putting them on his brother’s shoulders. “It’s scary as fuck. I get it. But you can’t wait for everyone to be comfortable when it comes to you living your life. You’re the only one who gets to live it. So you might as well do what you want. And if anyone, and I mean anyone, gives you a hard time, you either deal with it or you come get me and I will deal with it for you. You deserve to be happy, Mikey. And anyone who doesn’t want that for you is a fucking asshole who doesn’t deserve to have a say in your life.”

Damn. His motivational speeches were on point today.

Michael cracked a smile as he pushed his glasses up his nose. “You don’t suck as a brother.”

“Good. You can buy me an ice cream,” Silas said, starting for the door.

“Nice try. Now it’s your turn. What happened with you and Maggie?”

Deciding it wouldn’t hurt to get a second opinion, Silas filled him in as they walked back out to the top of their section.

“Ouch,” Michael said when he was done. “Did you ask Dean about it? He’d probably know.”

Silas took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair before settling it back on his head. “Nah. I want it to come from her.”

“Understandable. So you’re scared, then.” He said it like it was fact.

“No. I’m not scared. I’m annoyed. Pissed. Justifiably angry.”

“Hurt,” Michael revised. “You’ve been opening yourself up to her. You introduced her to your family. Welcomed her into your life. And you’ve been up front about wanting her to stay when she’s done.”

“Yeah?” Silas said carefully, sensing there was a trap being laid.

“She’s been up front about having no intention of staying.”

“So? That doesn’t give her the right to lie to me. To our family about being an only child and not having a father.”

“Hey, man. I’m on your side,” Michael said, holding up his hands. “I’m just saying that if she really believes that she’s going to walk away from you and everything here in a few months, maybe she didn’t feel safe opening up. And maybe you’re realizing how much it’s going to hurt if she does walk away.”

Silas grunted. His brother had a point.