Joey peers at Beau. “I’m not sure Fraser would like you if you were boring.”
Beau grins. “Well, maybe I’m not that boring, then.”
“Do you get on with your twin?”
“Enough to live with him,” I say.
“Yes,” Beau replies. “We’re very close.”
“It must be nice to have a brother or sister,” Joey says wistfully. “It’s just Mum and me.” He rubs his arms.
“You’ve got Fraser,” Beau points out.
Joey grins at me. “Yeah, I do. He’s amazing.”
My cheeks heat up.
“I know I can rely on Fraser. I can tell him anything. I wish he were my real big brother sometimes.”
“I’m the next best thing,” I say, ruffling his hair. “And I’m not going anywhere, okay? You will always be able to count on me.”
Joey hugs me. “Thank you.” The words are muffled as he’s talking into my chest. “Can Fraser count on you?” he asks Beau.
“Yes.”
Joey purses his lips. “Can I talk to you?” he asks, staring at Beau. “Alone.”
Beau looks at me.
I hold my hands up. “It’s okay with me. I’ll be over here.” I point towards the octopus tank. I’ll be out of earshot, but I’ll be able to keep my eyes on them both.
It’s not that I don’t trust Beau, but Joey is my responsibility. I stroll away and then turn and watch them, arms folded. They’re having a serious conversation. Beau is doing lots of nodding, and Joey is pointing at him in a way that might have been menacing if he wasn’t such a cute kid. Then Beau puts his hand on his heart and says something with a solemn expression on his face. That done, Joey waves me back over.
“What was all that about?” I ask.
“Our secret,” Joey says.
Beau puts his arm around my waist and whispers in my ear, “I’ll tell you later.”
I give him a knowing look. I’m pretty sure my little brother just gave my boyfriend the ‘dad’ talk.
