Looking for Trouble (Jackson: Girls' Night Out 1)

What the fuck did that mean? He didn’t blame her for his mom’s outburst, but she must have known that she’d cause problems if she showed up. Even without his mom’s difficult behavior, her brother’s lawsuit was the kind of thing that would cause bad blood between any two families.

Had it been a publicity stunt? Some sort of perverted effort to keep the Heyer family in the public eye leading up to a court fight?

But she’d said I’m sorry. He’d watched her say it.

He was trying to decide whether to call Sophie when his brother got off the phone and shook his head. “I don’t know how long it’s been since Mom’s gone in, but her doctor has been concerned. She’s out of town this weekend, but she wants us to bring Mom in first thing Monday morning.”

“You,” Alex corrected.

“What?”

“You bring her in. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Alex, come on.”

“If you think I’m sticking around for more of this shit show, you’re as crazy as she is. I’m done.”

Shane blew out a long breath and looked up at the sky. It was still clear blue and cloudless. The perfect day to mock their ridiculous drama. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should’ve just left you alone. Let you disappear forever. Is that what you want?”

“Yes,” Alex said automatically, ignoring the pain that twinged like a phantom stitch in his side.

Shane shoved his hands into his pockets. He rocked back on his heels.

Alex felt his brother turn to stare at him, but he kept his gaze straight ahead. He didn’t want to look at him as they said goodbye. This time, he knew what it meant, to leave behind everyone you’ve ever loved. Every place you’ve ever known.

He’d done it before. It should be easier this time. It would be easier. And if it felt like a death looming just beyond the horizon, that was just his old age showing. He needed to get off his ass and move on.

Shane finally spoke. “I’m pissed that you left me with this, you know. I need help.”

“With her?”

“Yes, with her. And hell, if you wanted to hang out and help me build my fucking house, I wouldn’t say no.”

Alex rolled his shoulders. “Put her in a home. She’s not right in the head.”

“She’s only sixty-five. She can’t—”

“And I don’t know shit about building houses. There’s nothing I can do to help you.” He stared at the trees behind his mother’s house. He didn’t look at Shane.

“Alex,” Shane said, as if he meant to say something more, but the silence dragged on and he just cursed under his breath.

“Yeah. I know how you feel,” Alex said.

“Please. Just a few more days. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing either.”

“You seem to have it under control.”

Shane’s laugh sounded more like a bark. “Was that a joke?”

“Kind of.” Alex ran a hand over his head, half startled to feel how smooth it was. “There’s nothing I can do for the woman.”

“She’s your mother.”

“Ha.” It was Alex’s turn to sound unamused. “Was that a joke?”

“No, it wasn’t a fucking joke.”

But it was. That was what his brother could never see. It was all a joke. “She was supposed to take care of us after Dad disappeared. She wasn’t supposed to disappear, too.”