Finding a pair of khaki flat-front shorts, I put it with the shirt.
“Hey, Fal. There’s another reason why I called.”
I don’t like the fatalist tone to her voice. The first thing that pops into my mind is that there’s something wrong with her or the kids.
I pick up my phone. “What is it?” I ask, already going into older brother mode.
I will do anything to protect the people I care about. I have done a shit-ton of bad, immoral things in the name of keeping my family safe. And I regret none of them. My conscience is clear. I would obliterate the world and everyone in it, and laugh while doing it, in order to protect the ones I love. So, if there is something that needs to be fixed, handled, swept under the rug, or dealt with, I need to know.
Aurora worries her bottom lip. “You know my friend Shelby, right?”
I nod.
“Well, she and Renee were at O’Reilly’s bar last night. You know, the one in Highland off Main.”
I want to shake her to hurry the hell up. She tends to drag things out, and it drives me nuts.
“I know it. Why?” I snap.
She narrows her blue eyes. “Don’t rush me, or I won’t tell you.”
Getting frustrated because she already has me worried, I gripe, “Then hurry the fuck up.”
My sister purses her lips. “Fine. A guy walked into O’Reilly’s when Shelby and Renee were there. They thought it was your friend, Julien, so they started talking to him. It wasn’t Julien. I’ve heard the stories about Jayson and what happened, so I thought you’d like to know.”
My damn stomach drops. That motherfucker has been gone for decades and never, not once, has he come back to Fallen Brook or tried to contact Elizabeth outside of the one time a year they would meet up at their daughter’s gravesite in Seattle. I know this because I kept tabs on him, but I stopped after Ry passed away. Maybe Jay is here to see Julien. But Jules would have given Elizabeth a heads-up.
Aurora’s image shrinks into a little square box on the bottom right of my screen when I open my texts.
“Why are you staring at me?” Aurora asks.
“I’m not. I’m texting Elijah.”
Me: Have you heard from Jules’s evil twin recently?
The three dots start dancing, so I know he’s replying.
Elijah: No. Julien hasn’t spoken to him in over a year. Not since their big fight. Why?
Me: Just curious.
Elijah: Welcome home. Heard about Italy. I’m here if you need to talk.
Me: Thanks. I’ll be in touch soon.
“I’m kind of regretting telling you based on the murderous look on your face,” Aurora cautiously says.
“I’ve got to go. See you when you get back. Love you.”
“Don’t do anything stu?—”
I toss my phone onto the bed.
Fuck.
Chapter Sixteen
JAYSON
