“Honestly?”
“Yeah.” I sniff, fighting off my buyer’s remorse. I feel like I'm drinking from a firehose, and I can’t even think straight, let alone really comprehend what everything means. Not in the big picture. It all happened so fast. And I know it’s only a stupid house, but it was alsomystupid house.
“I don’t want to downplay what you’re feeling or anything,” June finally says, “But if I had to give up my house to get a sibling, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
My breath catches in my lungs as I soak up her words while a gentle warmth spreads through my aching limbs. She’s right. As a kid, I would’ve done anything to have a sibling. And if my mom could’ve provided the stability for it, I’m pretty sure she would’ve done anything to give me one. Now, in a strange, unexpected turn of events, she kind of has.
With a watery smile, I turn to June. “Thanks, June.”
“Anytime.”
46
JAGGER
By the time I get home, it’s almost three in the morning. I’m used to late nights, though. What I’m not used to is Roman pacing the kitchen when I walk in.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
Roman digs his fingers into the back of his neck. “You’re not gonna like it.”
“Like what?” I push. “Is Cobie okay?”
“She’s fine,” he rushes out. “Asked me to pick her and Ford up since he was drunk off his ass. Made sure she was tucked in bed before heading out again.”
“And?”
“And that’s when I caught Morgan going into your girl’s place in The Drift.”
“What?”
“Him and a couple buddies,” Roman clarifies.
Fear prickles my line of sight, but I blink it away, demanding, “Was Violet there?”
Roman shakes his head. “Nah. The dad wasn’t home, either. Just walked in like he owned the place.”
Okay. Violet’s okay. Nothing else matters. Holding onto my scraps of logic, I ask, “What about Lexie? Was she there for some reason? Maybe he was looking for her?—”
“She’s at work. Hawke confirmed it.”
I shake my head. It doesn’t make any sense.
“Why would Morgan walk into Violet’s home when no one else is there?”
“Not sure,” Roman grumbles, his gaze on the floor. “But I have a guess, and you’re not gonna like it even more.”
And there it is. The truth. Or at least a solid assumption. Cocking my head, I wait for him to fill me in, no matter how much he’d prefer not to…which means it must be bad. “Rome,” I warn.
His eyes flick to me. “Rumor has it, your girl’s dad made a bet and lost. Big time.”
“What’d he lose?” I push, but I have a feeling I already know the answer. Why else would Morgan be at Vi’s home? Or maybe he was only looking to collect on Virgil’s payment. It’s definitely plausible. And if that’s the case then, fuck him. Maybe Morgan’s doing me a favor. Wouldn’t it be a nice change of pace for once.
“He bet the house,” Roman says.
So much for Morgan doing me a favor.
The muscle at the back of my jaw twinges. “Who’s name is on the title? Violet’s mother’s?”
