“I felt like a fool, so I came home and cried into my pillow. I shut everyone out and swore I’d never let myself get hurt like that again.”

“Why didn’t you tell your brothers about that asshole?”

“Because I was ashamed. They’d warned me about guys like him since I was old enough to look at boys as more than pains in my butt, and I walked right into it. We talked all the time about our lives and what we wanted in the future, but I never thought to ask him if he was married. That’s why when I found out what you’d done, I nearly lost my mind. I wanted to hate you for not telling me, but I couldn’t because we didn’t have that kind of relationship, and I was furious at my brothers for not coming to me first. They’re still paying the price.”

“They were just trying to protect you.”

“I know, but you didn’t set out to kill anyone. You protected your sister. I’m glad you told me everything. I never could have imagined there was so much behind that one punch. The way Blaine said it that morning at your place made me think you were a cold-blooded killer.”

“If I was, I would’ve gotten convicted of more than involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to more than three years.”

“How was I supposed to know that?”

“You couldn’t have. But that asshole didn’t break you, Mads. He might’ve taken you to your knees, but you pulled yourself up and created your own empire of puppets and cards and musical stories.”

“It’s hardly an empire.”

“You’re a world traveler. Isn’t that what you said?”

“Yeah.”

“I know you’re here for your grandfather—which is cool, by the way, that we both ended up here for our grandfathers. But when are you packing up and traveling again?”

“I don’t know. I came back for my grandfather, but then Maverick got married, and now he and Chloe are trying to start their family, and Tank and Leah got married, and they have two little girls and a baby on the way, and at some point, Gunner and Sid will get married and start a family, too. I want to travel, but I’m not sure I want to miss being part of all that.”

“That’s understandable. I’d give anything to meet my niece,” he said solemnly.

“You could reach out to your sister.”

He shook his head. “I won’t put her in that position. She told me where I stand, and respecting her decision is the least I can do.”