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Grinding my teeth together the longer I stared at the suit, my jaw ached. I wished my parents were here. I imagined my mom telling me that everything would be fine, and that Ainsley was lucky to be going out with me. Truth was,Iwas the lucky one.

My dad would probably say something like, ‘You got this, Son.’

My chest tightened, a lump forming in my throat that I would never hear those words from him.

Giving myself a shake, I headed to the door. When I opened it, I was met by a scowling Sammy. “What’s wrong?”

He pushed past me, stopping at my bed. He looked from the suit to me. “Date?”

I didn’t answer but I didn’t need to. He knew.

“With that quiet chick or someone else?” he asked, like there could ever be anyone else.

“Her name is Ainsley,” I bit out.

He nodded once, coming back toward me.

I stepped in front of him, blocking him from getting to the door. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” But he wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“Sam.” I cupped his shoulders. “You always talk to me. Or you used to. What is going on?”

“We’re not women, Cyrus.” His dark eyes snapped to mine. “We don’t need to talk about our shit.”

“What is wrong with you?” I searched his face for a sign. Anything. Something that could give me a little insight into what the hell was pissing my brother off. “Did something happen? Are you in trouble?”

He patted my cheek, a slow smile creeping onto his face. “Don’t worry about me, brother. Have fun on your date. Tell Ainsley I said hi.” He pushed out of my grip, only because I let him, and left the room.

I stared after him. My brother. The other half of me. The single person I could never live without. I didn’t think he would ever understand how much he meant to me.

Leaving the room, I went after him to try and talk some sense into that head of his. Once I reached the main floor, I looked around the large room. Sammy wasn’t anywhere to be found.

“You looking for your brother?” Cheesy asked, carrying a case of beer behind the bar. “He just left. Not sure what his problem was but I thought he was going to kick my ass just because I asked him if he was joining us for supper tonight. Eve had me ask.” He shook his head.

My phone took that moment to ding.

Sammy: Heading to The Ring. Sorry about before. Have fun on your date, brother. I mean that.

Me: What’s wrong?

Those three little dots danced. They continued dancing for a few minutes before I got a response. I was about to put my phone away when a text finally came through.

Sammy: I miss you.

Me: I’m here. Always. It’s you and me against the world, brother.

Sammy: You and me. I hope that never changes, C.

My throat closed. Fucking hell, Sam.

I didn’t bother responding. Not yet anyway. I needed help with my outfit first. The lady at the store this morning, said it looked good, but I had a feeling it was only because she was hoping I would fuck her. I rolled my eyes at the thought. I had even told her I was going on a date tonight, but she still inched a little closer and kept her hand on my shoulder a little longer. And stared at me like I was going to fulfill every single fantasy she ever had. It pissed me off to the point I was tempted to call up my brother and sick him on her.

Heading to the basement, I found the very people I was looking for.

Greyson, Catch, and Tray were watching movies with their wives. It had been something they did quite often lately. Now that Greyson was no longer president of Hell’s Harlem, he could live his life like a retired man, spending his time with his wife.

“Hey, Cyrus,” Greyson said first. “Everything okay?”