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“It’s been years since I’ve been, but probably the Peanut Pirate, if they still even have that. What do you like?”
“The Tommy Turtle, of course.”
She laughed. “I forgot all about the Tommy Turtle. I’m not a big pecan fan, though.”
“But Tommy Turtle’s so good. Buttered pecans and all that caramel and chocolate.”
“I wonder if they use Schultz Chocolate,” she said with a smile.
“I don’t think so, but I’m willing to overlook it.”
“That’s very big of you.”
When they were only a few minutes from arriving at the Captain Sundae entrance, Sebastian’s phone rang. He nearly answered with his name, but he caught himself at the last second and simply said, “Hello?”
“Sebastian?”
“This is.” He hoped Genevieve hadn’t heard the man’s voice through the phone.
“It’s Officer Wood.”
Sebastian groaned, knowing full well what this call was about. “What’s he done this time?”
“He got mouthy with a guy at a bar over in Eastown.”
“Where is he now?”
“In my car. Should I take him home?”
“Please.”
“Will do.”
“Thank you, Oliver. I’ll be there shortly.”
“See you when you get there.”
Sebastian hung up and stared at his phone for a few seconds, unsure if he should call Skylar, hating the idea of calling their parents. He’d wait and see what condition Gus was in this time before he decided on the next step.
“Is everything all right?” Genevieve interrupted his train of thought.
“I’m sorry. We’ll have to get our Captain Sundae fix another day. I’ve got something important to take care of. Can you drop me back at the office?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks.” He looked out the window, feeling disappointed that his time with Genevieve was cut short, but even more disappointed in his brother. Gus had gone a long time without getting into trouble. Over a year, in fact, since his last brush with the law. He’d been lucky so far to have escaped any kind of actual police custody or time in jail. Thanks to their good friend, Oliver Wood, who had luckily been there the few times police had been called to intervene and had let him off with a warning every time. So far. But that could only go on for so long if Gus continued his irresponsible behavior.
A hand on his arm stole his attention. “Is there anything I can do?”
He lay his other hand over hers and shook his head.
She gave him a little smile and drove on toward the office.
Oh, how he wished he could open up to her about his life, but she didn’t even know who he really was.
Gus looked pale and sallow. Definitely not the dapper, put-together businessman he appeared to be only yesterday. He was seated on the floor in front of the sofa and looked past Sebastian as if he wasn’t really there. Oliver looked like a giant standing over him. He was a tall man, enough that he had to look down a little at Sebastian, and he was certainly intimidating in his police uniform.
“He threw up in my car,” Oliver informed him.