“So you already knew he was seeing her and didn’t tell me?” Mac asked Grant. He held the phone in the crook of his neck as he painted the trim in the gift shop.

“I talked to him yesterday, and he mentioned they’d been hanging out. I didn’t realize I was required to inform you of this development.”

“Very funny. They looked awfully cozy. That doesn’t bother you?”

“What do you want me to say? I’m engaged to Stephanie. Why would it bother me?”

“Still… I think it would bug me if one of you guys dated my ex.”

“After the way I treated her, Abby certainly deserves to be happy, and if Adam makes her happy, well… Who am I to get in the middle of that?”

“You’re very evolved about all of this.”

“Don’t make a big thing out of it. Leave him alone.”

“You’re ruining all my fun.”

Grant let out a huff of laughter. “You’re worse than Mom. You’ve turned into a regular Gansett Island gossipmonger.”

“That hurts me, Grant. Deeply.”

“The truth always hurts.”

“You sound a little better today,” Mac said, feeling as if he was tiptoeing into a minefield.

“I’ve been sleeping. That makes everything better.”

“You know I’m here if you need me, bro. I went through the same thing you did out there—”

“No, you didn’t.”

Grant’s sharp retort caught Mac by surprise.

“I’m sorry,” Grant said, instantly contrite. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just…”

Mac put down his paintbrush and switched the phone to his other hand. “What, Grant? Say it. Put it out there and get it off your chest. Let us help.”

“I…”

Mac waited breathlessly, praying that his brother would finally unburden himself.

“I can’t. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

Blowing out a deep breath, Mac said, “When you’re ready, you know where I am.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Are you coming to Luke’s tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll see you there.”

Mac ended the call, upset and dismayed that his brother was in pain and there was nothing he could do about it.

“What’s up?” Luke asked from the other end of the store where he was screwing the plug covers back on now that the paint on the walls was dry.

“Damned if I know. How is it we went through the same thing, and he’s so screwed up over it?”

“Something else happened to him. Something so traumatic he can’t talk about it.”

“If he doesn’t talk about it, how will he get past it?”

“Give him some time. Keep doing what you’re doing. Let him know you’re there for him. That’s all you can do.”

“It makes me crazy to know he’s so upset but keeping it all inside.”

“It’ll come out eventually. When he’s ready.”