“We need to try harder.”
My brother groans and thumps the back of his head on the seat. “Don’t you think I know that? We’ve been over this.”
I tug on a snarl in my hair. “There has to be something we’ve missed. Can’t we uncover a piece of clear evidence in his favor? Grady didn’t have any blood under his nails or traces of Lance on him. How can they prove he hit him?”
His gives me a pitiful shrug. “They really can’t. But no one else was around. It goes both ways. Assault is a fine line like that. All signs point to Grady being the guilty party.”
A groan barrels out of me. “That’s bullshit. There should be a more in depth investigation before tossing someone in jail.”
“I’m not disagreeing with you, Sutt. But think about how it looks to everyone from the outer edge. Lance comes across as an innocent police officer trying to keep the peace. This was another bar fight gone to the extreme. Grady is the brute bully throwing fists.”
“Well, they’re all morons with a skewed view. He’s the greatest kind of man.”
Jace nods and nudges my arm. “He truly is. It’s a shame more don’t see him that way.” He clears his throat, avoiding eye contact. “I owe you an apology.”
My thoughts reel on a zipline while I gape at him. My brother rarely admits to any sort of wrongdoing. “For what?”
“I’ve given you a lot of shit for dating Grady. That isn’t fair. I should be more supportive. You’re clearly meant to be with one another. So, I’m sorry for my shitty attitude.”
My lashes stick together when I blink at him. I find myself at a loss for words. “O-okay.”
His lips twitch ever so slightly. “I also need to say thanks.”
A wrinkle pinches my brow. “For what?”
“Bringing my best friend back to life. He was lost without you. I didn’t realize just how much until you came home. That dude brightens up whenever you’re nearby.” His smile tips a bit higher. “Grady really loves you, Sutt.”
I feel the tremble start in my chin. The heat pinches my eyes shortly after. Soon tears zigzag down my cheeks. I press a hand to my chest and check for a Grady-sized hole.
Jace’s gaze snaps wide open. “Ah, hell. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
I wrap my arms around him and sputter into his shoulder. “T-that is s-so sweet. Thank y-you, Jace. I needed to hear that.”
“As if you didn’t know,” he murmurs into my hair.
“It’s so hard being apart from him,” I sob. “Everything seems so hopeless lately. I miss him so much.”
“I guarantee he misses you more.”
“We’re supposed to be carrying out our happy somethings and making new ones. But he isn’t here.” I hiccup over a shuddering exhale.
He hugs me tighter. “A happy what?”
“It’s special between us. Joyful moments.”
“You’re still doing those? I remember hearing a few when we were young.”
“We never really stopped.” At least our hearts didn’t.
Jace forces out a dry chuckle. “Damn, you two are perfect.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“It’s gonna be okay, Sutt. Life can’t be this unjust.”
I pull away from him, catching his stare. “You sure about that?”
His body deflates with a long sigh. “No, but I have faith. Something will give.”
