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"but the thought of a grandchild apparently won out and you know
how close he is to Lucas. I don't know how to tell Con. He's still trying to
smooth stuff out with Emily and getting her a teaching job and he hasn't even
gotten back to regular work. I don't know how to spring this on them." She
was starting to ramble and it made me grin. No matter how tough she had become
with Luke, she was still the same little Aislinn Brannock. "If she gets
this job, Emily will just be starting the school year and won't have time to
take off for the wedding so I need everyone to rally together and help me out
here. I'm terrified, but so incredibly happy about this, Gus. I need my family's
support."
     Of course she would play the 'family' card on me. She more
than anyone knew how much I loved my family. Everyone may think she has a
closer relationship to Con because they talk on the phone more often, but after
all she went through months back, I've made it a point to make sure she knows
I'm always here for her. Her and mom were the rocks in the Brannock household,
now it was my turn no matter how far away I was.
    I sighed and sat back down in my chair, glancing at Lincoln
who was sporting a smile and pretending not to eavesdrop. I rested my head on
my desk as I spoke to her. "You know you have my support, Ash. Just keep
Luke away for a while so I don't have to kick his ass for letting players pass
the goal line."
    She laughed loudly, making me smile even wider. She was
happy with Luke and there wasn't a better man for her. She had let us control
her life even after she moved away, but she had made it clear that doing so
protected her and made her time with Luke that much better. I'll never regret protecting
my sister, but we all should have backed off, especially after Mom died.
    "I'll call you later this weekend once I talk to Con,
okay?"
    "Sounds good. I might get called in, but I'm supposedly
off for the next few days."
    "Good. You need a break, Gus. You boys work so damn
hard and I'm proud of you, but you need to live your lives, too. Take a
vacation from playing hero. Ya know?"
    "Yeah. I know."
    "Any plans this weekend?"
    I wasn't going to say anything and I was shocked that Con
hadn't already, but I needed some advice. "Yeah actually. I, uh… I have a
date tomorrow night."
    "You do?" she shrieked, forcing me to pull the
phone away from my ear as she celebrated.
    "Yeah."
    "Wait, is it like the usual. A fling or something like
that?"
    "No, Ash. I've been talking to this girl for a while
now and I'm serious about it. I'm not getting any younger and I don't have the
time to be wandering around looking for action."
    "No, you don't," she stated firmly. Then I heard
her talking to someone and the deep voice that responded made me panic.
    "I gotta go, sis. Tell Luke we'll have a talk."
    "Wait, he wants to know who this girl is," she
said quickly, but I wasn't going to get sucked into that conversation. Luke was
just waiting for the chance to get back at me for the shit I had given him over
the years. Especially over the last several months.
    "Can't. Got a case, love you. Bye."
    I hung up and let out the breath I had been holding since I
heard Luke in the background. Aiden was right. Payback is a bitch.
    The thought of my snarky little neighbor made me smile and
Linc noticed.
    "You that happy about becoming an uncle?"
    My head snapped up and my brow furrowed. I didn't think I
was smiling that big, but apparently I was and I didn't like that it was
because I was thinking about Red.
    "Sure. I can spoil him or her as much as I want and
send him back to Mom and Dad. What's not to be happy about? Except for the fact
that it's my little sister and one of my best friends and if it had happened
any other way, the man would be in the trunk of my car on the way to Lake
Michigan."
    Linc laughed and went back to his report, cursing his
computer when it froze up yet again.
    My words might have changed the subject out loud, but my
mind refused to give in.