“Well, like I said, I heard you were on the lam. Then my security alerted me to an intruder, and I put two and two together. I’m smart like that.”
I laughed. “Yes, you are.”
“And I get why you’re pissed,” he said. “I would be too.”
“Right? I hate everyone! Maybe not you.”
“Thank you.”
Settling back into my chair, I gave a sigh, long and heavy. “You think I’m overreacting, don’t you?”
“About the family not telling you? That’s for you to decide. But if you’re talking about Rory joining Sketch Monsters, then yes. He’s a great drummer, and he’s a perfect fit for them. Quinn made a business decision. Can’t fault him for that.”
“So, you’re telling me Casey would be totally fine if you hired your ex-girlfriend as a backup singer?”
“Krista is a pop star, so she probably wouldn’t be my backup singer…”
“That’s not the point,” I snapped back, all sassy-like.
Jake’s smile faded as the next words tumbled out of his mouth. “As far asyourex… Rory’s been through a lot. He deserves a break.”
I sat up. “How do you know what he’s been through?”
Jake averted his gaze. “I don’t.”
But something in the way he said it gave me pause. “You know something.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do. How do you know he’s been through a lot? I never told you that.”
Now my brother was squirming.
“Jake? Tell me or I’m going to hit you.”
He scooted his chair back. I scooted mine closer.
“He was a foster kid,” Jake said as if that explained everything.
“So?”
“So I was assuming the worst. That’s all.”
Jake was definitely lying, and I intended to get to the bottom of it. “What. Do. You. Know?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
I hit him. Not too hard, just enough to get him going. He swatted me away.
“Okay, look. There are things you don’t know about Rory, all right? That’s all I’m saying.”
“And you do?”
Just based on his split-second indecision, I knew the answer was yes.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to slap him again or press him for details. I was furious and curious and totally undecided on what emotion I wanted to unleash on him. “Tell me.”
“I can’t. You need to ask him.”
