Ravenous (Steel Brothers Saga 11)

What could distract me from a man better than another man?

Unfortunately, I knew already that no one would live up to Bryce, but I had to do something other than pine for him.

As I was contemplating starting to read a novel—anything to occupy my brain—my phone buzzed.

I recognized the number.

Colin Morse.

“What do you want, Colin?” I said, not nicely, into the phone.

“Hi, Marj.”

“That’s not answering my question,” I said. I felt a little shitty, given what Colin had been through, but I had nothing to say to him.

“I want to talk to Jade, but I know she’s probably not feeling real good.”

I huffed. “What do you want from me, then? And don’t ask me to set up another meeting with Jade. The last one ended with her sick in the bathroom.”

“I have to tell her.”

“Tell her what? I’m happy to take a message.”

“I…can’t. I can only relay this information to Jade.”

“What information, Colin? You had the chance to tell her anything you wanted the last time you were here.”

“I know. But…I couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“You know why not.”

“Actually, I don’t. Enlighten me, please.”

“Because you were there.”

“Maybe you don’t know how the concept of best friends works. Jade and I don’t have secrets. Anything you say to her will get to me. Besides, neither Talon nor Jade wanted her alone with you.”

“This is important, Marj.”

Was it? Colin had been so vague the last time he spoke to us. He’d made it seem like his father had been behind his not showing up to his wedding with Jade. Perhaps we were reading into things. I had no idea. I knew one thing, though. We needed all the information we could get out of Colin.

None of the puzzle pieces fit together. Maybe Colin had answers.

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll see what I can do, but I’m not making any promises.” I ended the call abruptly and then checked my face in the mirror. I still looked like crap, but at least the swelling in my eyes had gone down some. Hopefully I’d find Jade alone.

No such luck, though. She and Talon were out on the deck with the boys. Donny was running around with the dogs, and Dale appeared to be doing homework.

“Hey.” I touched Jade’s shoulder. “Can we talk for a few minutes?”

Talon, of course, missed nothing. “What about? And what happened to you?”

“Nothing,” I lied. “I just need to talk to Jade.”

“You look like you’ve been—”

“I haven’t. I’m fine.” I turned to Jade. “Just a few? In the kitchen, maybe?”