“I told her you called me.”
Jace’s head was spinning. Tucker told her he’d called him? He hadn’t called him, he called him back. Up until a few hours ago, Jace hadn’t known how to reach him. He could only imagine what Blythe was thinking. She’d think he lied to her. That he’d betrayed her. He had to get in to see her, to explain.
When he approached the nurse in the waiting area and asked if he could go back, she asked him his name.
“No. I’m sorry. Ms. Cochran has left explicit instructions that neither Jace nor Tucker Rice be permitted in to see her.”
“But—”
“If I’m forced to, I’ll have security remove you from hospital property.”
Jace noticed that Bree, the last person he wanted to overhear their conversation, had.
“What have you done?” Bree asked.
He took her arm to guide her away from Tucker, but she jerked it away. “If she’s refusing to see you, there must be a good reason,” her voice was venomous.
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
“Right.” She turned to walk away, and Jace grabbed her arm again. When she spun around to face him, he was sure she was going to slap him. By the look on her face, she’d intended to, but stopped herself.
“She thinks I called Tucker. Which I did, but as you know, I called him back. There’s a big difference.”
“She thinks you knew where he was all along.”
“Exactly.”
“Did you?”
“Bree, you and I have had our differences, but if I had known where Tucker was, you know I would’ve said so.”
She seemed skeptical, but the look of hatred that had been in her eyes moments before was gone. She was at least considering he was telling the truth.
“Bree Fox? Is there someone here named Bree Fox?” There was an orderly standing by the double doors leading back into the emergency room, calling her name.
“I’m Bree Fox,” she answered, walking in his direction.
“Your sister would like you to come back.”
“Please, Bree. Tell her. Please,” Jace implored.
She met his eyes, but didn’t answer.
“Are they still out ther
e?” Blythe asked.
“Of course, they are, sweetie, and they aren’t going anywhere.”
“I’ve had it with the two of them. I don’t want anything to do with either of them.”
“Blythe, you know I am not Jace’s biggest fan, quite honestly, I don’t like him. But even I believe he’s been telling the truth. If he’d known where Tucker was all this time, he would’ve said so.”
“Bullshit. The two of them have been using me in a tug-of-war since the day I met them. Jace saw this as his opportunity to win me over. Tucker’s gone, he’s the hero. How can you not see through it? I can’t believe he has you snowed.”
“Tucker called him, and Jace called him back. I saw it unfold.”
“Did you hear their conversation?”