Torque by Gillian Archer (10 ebook reader txt) 📕

Ryan strolled up and put a casual arm around Dylan’s shoulders, but really, he was another referee in our fight. “Is this the best place to have this conversation? Maybe we should talk about it back at the shop.”

“Or better yet at Aunt Wendy’s house during Sunday dinner.” Austin waded in again.

I snorted. “That would only work if he actually showed up this week.”

“Fuck you,” Dylan sneered. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“So tell us! What the fuck, Dyl?” I threw my hands up in frustration. “What the hell is going on with you?”

Dylan just shook his head as he rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. He opened his mouth then shook his head again and turned to leave.

“That’s it?” I shouted at his retreating back. “What the fuck, bro. Are you at least coming back to the shop? Or are you gonna run late again?”

Dylan whirled around. “What are you talking about? We did the reveal. We’re done for the day. I’m not going back to the shop.”

“The fuck you’re not.” I shouted back. “We got the rest of those receptionist interviews to get through. I’m not doing that shit alone.”

“You’re gonna have to. I’ve got a thing.” Dylan shrugged and turned to leave.

“I don’t give a shit what your thing is,” I shouted at his retreating back, making him freeze. “You’ve got an obligation, and you’re gonna see it through.”

Dylan turned back around and glared at me. “Knock it off. Stop treating me like a goddamn kid.”

“Stop acting like one then.” I glared back.

But he just shook his head and walked off. A few seconds later the rumble of his bike broke the tense silence. He avoided looking at us as he rode by.

I watched his retreating figure for a second before I turned back to my remaining two brothers. “What the fuck was that? You two seriously had nothing to say?”

“What the hell is going on between you two?” Austin blinked at me like I was a stranger to him or something.

I gave a baffled laugh. “Seriously? You don’t have a problem with what he’s been doing lately? Something’s not right.”

“No, what’s not right is the bullshit you just pulled on our client’s front step.” Austin shook his head like a disappointed teacher. “That shit’s not professional.”

“He’s right,” Ryan said quietly from behind me.

I didn’t even bother to turn around to confront him. What was the point?

“See?” Austin waved a hand toward Ryan like a prick.

“No, I agree with Nathan. Something’s up with Dyl.”

This time, I did spin around to look at Ryan. His concerned frown matched Austin’s, but he was siding with me.

“Really? You’re agreeing with him?” Austin asked like it was amazing.

“How do you not see what we see?” Ryan frowned. “Dylan shows up late to everything lately. When you call him on the phone, he’s always at a party—a party he’s not inviting any of us to by the way. And when he does show up at work, he’s always texting or staring off into space. He’s mentally checked out. Something’s not right with him. Something’s going on.”

Austin cursed and shook his head. “You’re right. I didn’t see it.”

And he didn’t believe me until Ryan spoke up. What the hell?

“So what do we do?” Austin looked at me like I had all the answers. “Have an intervention? Call a therapist? Or…I don’t even know who.”

I lifted a shoulder. “I’m not sure what good an intervention would do. He just walked away from the one I tried to have with him.”

“Screaming at him in the middle of a client’s parking lot isn’t exactly an intervention.” Ryan sighed.

I shrugged again. “Still don’t think another one would do any good. He doesn’t want to listen to us.”

“Hey!” Austin snapped his fingers. “Isn’t Maddie living with him right now? We should talk to her, see if she has any idea what’s going on with him. Ryan, why don’t you—”

“I’ll do it!” I shouted, interrupting Austin.

Both of my brothers turned to me with shocked expressions.

After a very long moment, Austin raised his eyebrows and said, “Okay.”

“Right.” Ryan blinked a few times. “Anything you wanna tell us, bro?”

“What?” I feigned innocence. “You guys are busy with your families and your wedding plans. Can’t a guy offer to help out? I was the one who noticed the problem first, if you assholes both remember.”

“Uh huh,” Austin said flatly. “And this has nothing to do with the fact that Maddie is a gorgeous, single woman living right next door to you?”

“Or the fact that she’s had a crush on you for forever?” Ryan added.

“Wait, are you finally going to do something about it?” Austin narrowed his eyes. “Or has something already been done?”

I shook my head and headed for my bike. Sometimes the best defense was retreat. “I don’t know what you assholes are talking about. But let me talk to Maddie. I’ll let you know what she says.”

“Sure.” Austin shouted at me as I straddled my bike. “Let us know what she says. Just make sure that’s all she’s doing. Maddie is a class act and deserves respect.”

The roar of my bike drowned out the rest of his lecture that I didn’t need. And I didn’t look in their direction as I pulled out of the parking lot.

Chapter Seventeen

MaddieA few hours earlierBack at Nathan’s condo

I watched the door close behind Nathan with wide eyes—mostly because I couldn’t believe he’d left me with her and also because I really didn’t want to look at my mom.

“You guys are cute together,” my mom said to my back because I still hadn’t turned around.

“Seriously, Mom?” I turned around and glared at her. “I can’t believe you—showing up to my place on a workday and embarrassing me in front of the guy I’m seeing? You’re crazy!”

“No, I’m concerned. You moved out of your apartment without telling me anything about it. You’re avoiding my phones calls and making me worry about you. What is going on? What’s