“Where is Tucker?”
“I have no idea, Blythe. I wish I did.”
“You better figure it out.”
He heard her. She wanted him to find Tucker. He understood. He hoped and prayed he’d be able to. He had no idea where to even start.
Todos Santos. Not deep enough into Mexico, but it was a starting point. Tucker got a job as a bartender, not that he needed a job from a cash standpoint, but he needed enough of a cover to blend in, so no one paid attention to him. There were studio apartments available for resort staff, so he had a place to live.
He longed to paint, but he never stayed sober long enough to do it. He drank as much liquor as he poured for guests of the resort, yet it was never enough. When he felt the air leave his lungs, he poured another drink, sinking further into his drunken stupor. It didn’t matter what Jace was feeling, only that he prevented himself from feeling it too.
Jace was outside in the driveway, making a phone call when Bree pulled up. He thought about pretending he was actually having a conversation with someone, but why?
“Hi,” he said, giving her a head nod.
“Hi,” she answered, looking as annoyed by him as she always did.
“I guess Blythe is back, since you’re here.”
Maybe he should’ve pretended he was talking to someone since she seemed even bitchier today than usual.
“Who are you calling?”
“My parents…” He’d actually thought about telling her it wasn’t any of her business, another thing he normally wouldn’t have said to anybody.
“I can’t believe that you expect Blythe to believe you still don’t know where he is. Stop lying to her, Jace. Tell her the truth so she can move on with her life, without either you or your brother in it.”
“I would expect that to be the last thing you’d want for her. Don’t you think she should have someone in her life to help her raise the baby—” Jace knew in an instant that Bree hadn’t known Blythe was pregnant, and he’d just put his big foot in it.
“What are you talking about?”
What could he say now? He’d already as much as told her. “Blythe is pregnant.”
Bree stormed around him, went in the front door of the house, and slammed it behind her.
&nbs
p; “You’re sure you’re pregnant, and you’re sure you want to have this baby?” she asked Blythe after her sister told her about her appointment with the doctor.
“Absolutely sure, Bree. I don’t care what anyone says. I know there isn’t anything wrong. I can feel it.”
“You can feel the baby?”
“Yes…no. I mean, I can’t feel it moving or anything. I just know. I know you don’t believe me, but…it doesn’t matter whether anyone believes me or not. I’m not changing my mind.”
“I’m not saying you should. I asked if you were sure. I’m not trying to talk you in or out of anything, Blythe.”
“Good.”
“By the way, I stopped to see Lyric on my way here.”
“Yeah?”
“She asked me if I wanted to move in with her, at least temporarily.”
“That’s a great idea! I feel terrible that I left her roommate-less, and while I’m going to miss seeing you every day, I do think it’s for the best. You’re here, but you’re not here, if you know what I mean.”
Bree smiled and leaned in to hug Blythe.