said. Wyatt burst out laughing. Bo laughed too. “You don’t always have perfect relationships. I accept that he and I don’t get along, that’s why, well…we’ve been getting along so well lately.” “Mom wants to see more of the three of us together and says the animosity needs to stop.” Bo winced. “I’ll ask her to ease up on the hard sell, but she has a point.” “No wonder you hated visiting in the summer. You may not have missed having brothers, hell you had five. But I missed out on having a big brother. I’m not discounting Corbett—I love him, but he was always trying his best to be perfect and popular all the time. You had this great life with friends and your gruff cowboy daddy.” Bo shrugged. “I felt like I didn’t fit in. My family was ripped apart, and Mom had a new life with a new man and children. There really wasn’t any room for me.” “I remember.” Wyatt nodded. “I cringe at some of my behavior. Think you can ever forgive me for being a brat?” “Why would I need to forgive you? We’re brothers; its water under the bridge.” Bo patted him on the shoulder. “We weren’t in each other lives nearly enough growing up, but I’d like to change that. I know we can’t undo the past, but we can shape the future. What do you say?” “I’d like that. And who knows, maybe one day Corbett will come around.” Bo raised an eyebrow. “Which also means I get to be nosy and ask questions about college and your plans for the future. Meddling is part of the big-brother gig.” “Just what I need.” Wyatt bit back a smile. “So, how was the tour with my dad?” “It was fun. He’s not nearly as crotchety as Mom describes him, but he still looks like he stepped out of an old western movie.” “I suppose he does.” Bo scratched his beard.
* * *
Bo and Wyatt returned home to the condo in the early evening. They ran into the Waverly sisters in the lobby, who were headed out for dinner. Bo introduced them to his baby brother, who didn’t hide his enthusiasm for meeting two beautiful women. He reigned in Wyatt’s overzealous greeting with a deadly look that his brother quickly obeyed. The twins asked if they would join them, but Bo thought it was best that he get Wyatt settled in and call their mom to let her know he was in Texas. He searched the twins’ faces, and what do you know, a subtle flash of disappointment appeared on Summer’s face. She seemed to know having a midnight rendezvous would be hard if he had a houseguest. But she recovered well, and he was proud that he caught her reaction. He gave Wyatt a tour and made up a guest bedroom for him. The day had taught him that they were more alike than he ever would have thought. It was kind of cool to have a little brother. The conversation at the ranch replayed in his head as he got ready for bed. Wyatt had made a good point, that he’d always had brothers in the Blake men. He loved each and every one of them and felt good that he’d had such good friends his entire life. The Blakes never chided him because he was kind of nerdy. They accepted who he was and protected him. He was the rational one of the group, as Tate pointed out. The one who could come up with a solution or offer good advice. He was just starting to wonder if Summer would be making an appearance tonight when he heard the light knock on the door. Had Wyatt not been here, it would have been a great time to confront her and tell her he knew the truth. Bo let her in, but stopped her from advancing to the bedroom. Bo sighed. “We need to talk, and I’d like to do it when my brother’s not here.” She took his hand and continued the trek into the bedroom. Bo pulled back the covers and they slid in together. She nestled close to him and put her head on his chest. Bo put his arm around her waist and gave her a good squeeze. He wanted to be sure his instincts were right, so he casually ran his hand up her stomach and felt the faint