Jacob had been gone for eight years now. No one knew why he’d left, or at least no one was talking. If Hud knew, he’d kept it close to the vest. But Jacob had left after finishing high school. He had joined the army.

And had never come back.

“Turns out he was injured,” Hudson said now. “He stayed in Germany at a military hospital there and was released, but I can’t get any specifics or his location.”

“Any indication on how bad he was hurt?” Aidan asked.

“No.” Hudson looked quiet and stoic, so when he slammed a fist down onto the bar it startled everyone within hearing distance. Except Aidan.

He put a hand on Hudson’s forearm and leaned in close to speak, because the place had gone quiet. “Hey, let’s go home and—”

“Don’t. Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Be the calm, rational older brother just because I’m losing it,” Hudson said. “I hate when you’re the calm, rational one. I’m not losing it.”

“Whatever you say.” Aidan squeezed Hud’s shoulder. “Come on, man, let’s go. We’ll grab a pizza and—”

“Jesus, I don’t need you to baby me. I’m fine.”

“Fine? You’ve got fifty people staring at you right now wondering when the barstools are going to start flying. Not that I mind a good brawl now and then, but it’s been awhile and I’m out of practice.”

Not amused, not even close, Hudson met his gaze, his own hard. “If you’re looking for someone to save, maybe you should look in your own damn mirror.”

Aidan eased back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re just as fucked up as me and you know it.”

“About?”

“We’re the middle brothers, man.”

“You’re a twin.”

“I’m talking about all five of us, you idiot. But if you want to get technical, I was born seven whole minutes ahead of Jacob,” Hud said. “That makes me a middle brother, like you. And as such, we’re the pleasers. The fixers.”

“Fuck you, I’m not a pleaser,” Aidan said. “Or a fixer, whatever the hell that means.”

Hudson smiled grimly. “You know what it means, and you know what I’m getting at. You’ll do anything for someone you love or care about. You’ll help Gray save the resort, a place that, thanks to Dad, leaves a bad taste in your mouth. But you’ll do it for Gray, because he’s everything to you.”

Aidan made a point of looking around. “What, are we filming a chick flick? What’s with all the feels?”