Page 66 of Control Freak

Holden glowered. “I wasn’t aware you gave a shit about money for college, given that you still haven’t filled out the scholarship applications I gave you.”

The chatter at the table died as everyone exchanged wary glances.

“I’ll get to it,” Bailey said dismissively.

Holden’s eyes narrowed, and he hunched forward. “Don’t blow this off.”

“Iwon’t.Jesus. Stop riding my ass. It’s not even the deadline yet!”

“You need to start taking this seriously. You only have three days until it has to be postmarked.”

“Then I’ll do it in two,” Bailey said. “Now, if it’s okay,Dad, I’m gonna go play some pool and not make any money. It’ll be worth it to get away from you.”

He stomped off across the room.

Flynn pushed back his chair. “I’ll go keep an eye on him. He just needs to cool off.”

Holden raked his hands through his hair. “Damn it. That kid is gonna be the death of me.”

“Are you okay?” Gray asked, having returned at some point during Holden and Bailey’s standoff. “You’ve been wound a little tight today.”

“I’m fine.”

The F-word again. Holden was fond of it. I cocked my head, trying to catch his eye. He glanced at me, then ducked his head, a sheepish expression coming over his face.

“Sorry, guys,” he said. “We’re here to celebrate Shiloh getting a teaching gig.” Holden held up his glass. “Let’s drink to Shiloh and forget that I’m an ass.”

His brothers laughed, forgiving easily. Not that he’d done anything all that wrong. He was worried about Bailey’s future. Anyone could see that. So, he’d snapped a bit. Gotten impatient. What parent hadn’t? Not that Holden was really Bailey’s dad, but hewasthe only parental figure the guy had.

That must be a lot of pressure for him. On top of all the other pressure he put on himself. He managed their business. Took responsibility for the household. The whole family, really. It was alotfor anyone to handle.

Everyone lifted their glasses, clinking and drinking to my future as a teacher.

“I haven’t got it yet!” I protested, worried we’d jinx the universe into taking away the opportunity.

“You will,” Holden said confidently. “They’d be fools to pass on you. Anyone would.”

He held my gaze this time, and my heart lurched drunkenly. Whatever was going on with him, there was no mistaking the sincerity in those eyes.

“Parker was falling all over himself to invite you to apply,” Emory said. “You’ll get the job.”

“They’ll be lucky to have you,” Gray said. “I know we are. Especially our big brother.”

“Yeah, maybe you can teach Holden a little something about giving up some control, though, huh?” Axel was saying teasingly. “He needs to fuckingrelax.”

Holden huffed a breath. “You would say that. You always thought running wild meant you were free.”

Axel set down his glass with a wry smile. “Touché, bro. Maybe the real freedom comes in accepting someone’s love.”

He nudged Dalton beside him, who smiled and wrapped his arm around Axel. “Is that what you do? Why are you always snarling at me, then?”

Axel bared his teeth like a ferocious dog, and Dalton laughed. “Yeah, exactly like that. Thought you might bite my face off the first time I insisted we go on a date.”

“I was tempted,” Axel admitted. “Glad I ate something else, though.”

He winked, and Dalton reddened, and it was easy to figure out that he didn’t mean dinner.

The conversation continued to flow, the brothers falling into talking shop about work.