“I’ll do the same from now on. I don’t want this to happen to any of my other clients.”

Michael nodded. “It’s a smart move.”

“Wait a minute. Did I hear you right? You said the building you used to work in. Aren’t you still working there?”

“I quit.”

Adam blinked. “What do you mean you quit?”

“I don’t work there anymore.”

Adam grinned. “I know what quitting means, dumbass. But why? You were the only internal medicine doctor in that entire building, you were making a ton of money, and…well, you had a nice office. Why leave?”

Michael’s tongue poked against the inside of his cheek. “I found another job elsewhere.”

“Ah, I see,” Adam said with a nod. “You got some fancy job at a more prominent hospital.”

“No.”

“Better pay, then?”

His brother shook his head. “Nope.”

“Good benefits?”

Michael shrugged. “Not really.”

“Then why leave? Where the hell are you working now?”

His brother grinned. “You’re talking to the new internal medicine doctor in Granite, Texas.”

Adam stood a little straighter. “You’re joking.”

“Nope. I crossed paths with Dr. Fowler at a Houston medical conference last year, and he mentioned that he was retiring this year. I thought it was a good opportunity to get out of the big city and move to a place where I could slow down and open my own practice. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Neither did our parents.” A broad grin spread across Michael’s face. “Mom and Dad are pissed at me.”

Adam couldn’t help but laugh. “Welcome to the club.”

“Look, I’m sorry for not standing up for you when you dropped out of school. I was wrong, That’s been a thorn in our relationship for a while, and I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t consider your feelings at all. I don’t blame you for being upset with me. I should’ve been on your side. Hell, I was on your side. I just didn’t say anything.

“But that’s partly why I’m here. I’m done being silent. I know showing up and admitting I was wrong probably doesn’t mean much, but I’m hoping it’ll be a start. You may not believe this, but I miss my little brother.”

Happiness mingled with relief inside of Adam. “Good. I’ve missed you too,” he said, giving his older brother a manly side hug and a slap on the back. “And just for the record, you showing up and admitting you’re wrong means a lot.”

“I knew you’d say that, you punk.”

Adam laughed. “So what changed?”