Page 118 of River & Rue

“For fuck’s sake, Matteo. You need to lay off Kirk’s weed before it kills any more brain cells.”

He blinks at me. “Huh?”

His obvious confusion and bloodshot eyes are so pathetic the anger trickles out of me. Last week, Dan told me Matteo hasn’t finished a single piece of art in the four weeks we’ve been here. He cracked under the stress, and now he’s staying high to cope.

Well aware of how crippling the pressure to produce can be, I’m not unsympathetic to his situation. But he’s still a dick.

I wave a hand. “Forget it. Sorry you missed out on camping because of an extreme threat that closed seven campsites for no reason.”

He bobs his head. “Thanks, bro. You get it.”

Jae coughs over a dry laugh.

Rue drops her head on my shoulder. “Are you done?”

I nod, and we push back our chairs.

Matteo perks up. “Where are you guys headed? Wanna sauna?”

Jae steps toward the table. “I think they’d like to shower and rest, but I could use some help in my studio.”

“Sweet. I’ll grab snacks.”

He lurches to his feet, almost knocking his chair over, and makes his way toward the on-site pantry. At a pointed look from Jae, Elio hurries after him.

I give Jae a tired smile. “Thanks for the assist.”

He nods, serene as always. “I’m glad you’re both okay. I do have a question, though, if you don’t mind.”

Rue smiles. “Of course we don’t.”

“Forgive my bluntness, but why did the bear stop harassing you? The rangers gave us the impression that even spray wouldn’t deter him.”

A pained expression crosses Rue’s face, an echo of the distress she felt when they told us the bear would have to be put down. I reach for her hand and thread our fingers together, then tell Jae the same thing we told the rangers.

“There were some coyotes in the area who were pretty vocal. We think they spooked him.”

His dark eyes move between us, lingering on Rue. “I suspect you’re right.”

Rue’s fingers tighten around mine, telling me she heard the same undercurrent in his words I did. The rangers disregarded our explanation, insisting coyotes would neither intimidate nor antagonize an adult bear, but Jae sounded like I didn’t answer a question so much as confirm his conclusion.

Given that he’s a savant who solves impossible math equations in his spare time, I probably did.

The pantry door slams open on the other side of the Lodge, belching Matteo with an armful of snacks. For the first and likely last time, I’m glad to see him. Elio follows, carrying a bottle of wine and wearing an insulted expression.

Jae offers me a nod and Rue a slight smile.

“You’re blessed to have the friends you do. Enjoy your rest.” He turns smoothly and strides toward the men.

Keeping hold of Rue’s hand, I lead her outside and across the patio.

“That was weird. Do you think Jae has seen me with Lenny?”

“It’s possible. But he also notices shit no one else does. There’s no telling what he’s picked up on.”

She nods thoughtfully, then grins and smacks my arm. “Did you notice the energy between him and Elio?”

“Old news. Jae’s had Elio whipped since week two.”