Mason, finished with his food, rinsed off his plate, then put it in the dishwasher. “Dad and Uncle Ham always wanted to take care of family, however they could. It doesn’t mean we’ll put someone who isn’t qualified into a position, but it’s North Brothers Sports and there’s a place for any North brother who’s interested.”

“Right,” Cole blurted, in part because he didn’t know what the hell else to say, because his entire perspective was being challenged.

“Try me,” Mason said, standing straight at the counter, his palms resting on the surface. “Come work for North Brothers.”

Cole felt the attention of everyone in the room on him, and his brain couldn’t truly process Mason’s words, couldn’t entirely take them seriously somehow, though looking at the CEO of North Brothers standing there across the room from him, there was no question he was serious as a funeral service.

His instinct was to snap out a rejection, but he reminded himself he was supposed to be trying to get along, to forge relationships with his family. For his mom’s sake if nothing else, though if he shoved down his stubborn pride and was honest with himself, sometimes he could admit it was for his own sake as well.

“I like the job I have,” he said finally. “Not looking for a change.”

“It’d solve your problem with Boss Sierra,” Drake said, leaning back in his chair, holding his root beer bottle.

“Sierra’s not a problem to be solved,” Cole lied, apparently unable to quit lashing out defensively whenever Drake mentioned her.

“Give it some thought,” Mason ordered, and Cole reminded himself that bossiness was a personality quirk that his brother couldn’t help. It didn’t make it less annoying.

“What would I even do?” Cole asked, to point out the stupidity of his proposition. “I don’t have a degree. I’m not planning on getting one.”

Mason shrugged. “Whatever you’re interested in. I know how you work. If you want to learn something, you will, the ins and outs and then some. If you’re serious, let’s set up a time to meet and discuss it.”

“I’m not. I like what I do,” Cole said without thought. He didn’t need to think about it. He worked in construction. Sierra depended on him, and he was content in the job. Case closed.

That didn’t mean his head wasn’t spinning.