Laurie was obviously upset, but she didn’t want to talk about it. Matt introduced Jake and explained the plan to go to Mitchell. Then, as Laurie talked to Baldwin and the twins, he asked Owen to take Jake aside and persuade him not to join them, in hopes that his brother would listen to a guy closer to his age. “It’s not happening,” Reyna said as they watched Owen unsuccessfully trying to dissuade Jake. “How about we make sure your brother brings up the rear—to guard us, of course. And then, whoops, the portal shuts before he gets through?” “That wouldn’t be right,” Matt said, with some regret. “Doesn’t matter,” Reyna said. “Even if he’s not a Grade A jerk—and the jury’s still out on that—he’s going to second-guess your every move because you’re his kid brother. He’s not Thor’s champion. You are.” Laurie nodded. “Reyna’s right. It might sound cowardly, but if it’s possible to ‘accidentally’ leave him behind, let’s do that. I’ll ask him to bring up the rear in case of trouble.
