Chapter 4

      When his mother showed up on his doorstep, Brandon was relieved Olivia was gone. He didn’t feel he owed it to his stepbrother to stay away from her or anything like that. After what Kyle had done, Brandon considered Olivia fair game for any guy, even him. But he knew his mother would get involved if she saw Olivia at his place—and if there was any way to keep his mother from getting involved, it was always best to go that route. Otherwise, she’d give him no peace.

      “Hi, what are you doing here?” he asked as he swung the door wide. She rarely came over. But he’d let her last few calls go to voice mail. He’d heard enough about the wedding, hadn’t wanted to hear any more.

      That had been a mistake. Instead of leaving him alone, she’d come to harangue him in person.

      “I was on my way home and thought I’d stop by,” she said.

      Sure, that made sense. Except his place wasn’t on the way to or from anywhere. Only teenagers and hikers bothered to visit the old mine or the trails he loved so much.

      “Can I come in?” she asked, sounding slightly miffed that he hadn’t already offered.

      Belatedly he realized he was still blocking the entrance. “Of course.” He stepped aside so she could move past him. Then he placed his arms around her in the obligatory hug.

      “Have you picked up your tux for the wedding?” she asked as soon as he released her.

      “Not yet.”

      “Brandon!” Cocking her head, she gave him that searching look that said he was about to get a stern lecture. “You’re not going to do anything to ruin this wedding, are you? Because I’m counting on you. Just once I’d like you to go along with what we have planned and behave yourself. Can you do that? For me?”

      “No problem.” He tried to play it straight, but it was difficult not to grimace. He hated the way she catered to Kyle and Kyle’s father. Maybe if she’d give them hell every once in a while, he wouldn’t have to establish their boundaries on his own.

      “Good. I’m glad to hear it. I’ll grab your tux when I hit town. If you wait too long, they’ll be closed.”

      “There’s always tomorrow, Mom.”

      “The wedding rehearsal is tomorrow. There’ll be a lot to do as it is.”

      “I can get my own tux!”

      Obviously put out by his refusal to let her take control, she sniffed. “And you’ll make the rehearsal?”

      “Of course.”

      “On time and sober?”

      “When have I ever shown up anywhere drunk?” he asked. As an athlete, he worked against the clock as it was. Age would slow him down fast enough; he wasn’t about to destroy his body with alcohol.

      “I’m just covering all the bases,” she told him.

      For Kyle… “Maybe I’m not the one you should be worried about,” he said.

      “What do you mean?