Foster Siblings 3: Brokedown Hearts Read Free Page A

hour-and-a-half drive from Coleman, where Braden and his two partners, Abby and Rodrigo, lived, but Ben had visited a handful of times and had met some of their friends. His memory of Jonah consisted of a big, mostly quiet man who adored his partner, Christian. That made him worth doing a job for, in Ben’s book.
    Riding high on the blood racing hot through him— a new job, something to do —Ben added, “Then I say yes even more. Jonah could have called me himself. I don’t know him and Christian that well, but I hope they both would consider me a friend.”
    “I’m sure they do,” Braden assured him. “This is something Jonah needs done quietly, though, so he wanted me to put out a feeler before sharing what he wants.”
    Pausing at his wall of windows, Ben stared out at the bay. He had a gorgeous view of calm blue waters from his living room and bedroom, with ships coming in and out of the harbor—a view that, on most evenings, after a hard day of work, calmed Ben and helped him fall asleep. Now, though, for the fourth day in a row, he wanted to scream at the view.
    “The truth is,” Ben confessed to his friend, “it doesn’t matter what the gig is. I’m going stir-crazy here.” When Ben had initially taken Braden’s call, during some early chitchat, Ben had shared his forced-vacation situation. “I can’t stand the thought of another day without something productive to do.”
    Braden’s sigh invaded Ben’s ear. “Fuck. Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten you involved in this. I’m guessing this isn’t exactly the vacation your bosses wanted you to take.”
    “I don’t care,” Ben snapped, pulling at his hair. “I’m gonna fucking lose my mind. I’ll do this for Jonah as a favor, as a separate job from Skye. All I’d want from him is payment for whatever expenses I’ll incur doing the work.”
    “Promise me you don’t truly need this vacation, Ben.” Intimacy and a deep knowledge of Ben’s history and personality tinged the gentle notes in Braden’s voice. “Think about things for a good long minute before assuring me you’re fine and that your bosses are being overly protective. I don’t want to be responsible for giving you that one extra job that makes you crack.”
    A pull in Ben’s heart reminded him of how much he’d once loved this man. And of how deeply his heart had been shattered when Braden had broken things off. Barely holding in a growl, Ben said, “I’m fine. I’m not on the verge of some damned breakdown. You know me, Braden. You know me better than anyone. Do you think a forced vacation is better for my mental health than doing the work I love?”
    Thirty seconds of tense silence reigned between them before Braden finally muttered, “Fair enough. Okay. I’ll talk to Jonah and tell him to get in touch with you one-on-one.” Braden cursed softly, the base words heavy with meaning. “I think you need to know something. The fact is, Christian probably won’t like what Jonah wants you to do. Shit”—Ben could picture Braden pacing as hard as Ben was—“just talking to you about what he wants makes me a bit uncomfortable, to be honest, and it might make you feel the same and want to pass on it. But I understand what Jonah wants, and why he needs it, at least for a short while, so I’ve agreed to keep everything in confidence. You would be expected to as well.”
    “That’s not even a question.” Ben’s head spun with the possibilities of what specifically Jonah would want from him. He quickened his stride to his bedroom, to the closet, and started digging for his travel bag. “If Jonah hires me, he has my discretion as part of the job.”
    “Okay. I’ll have him give you a call.”
    Ben hoisted the structured leather duffel onto the bed. “I’ll be waiting.”
    Instead of hanging up—Ben had almost clicked End Call and tossed his cell on the bed—Braden added, “It was good to talk to you, Ben.” Braden paused then, and when he spoke again, a softness