“Not many other places to go. Seems everywhere I turn there are lies.”
“I don’t think anyone lied to you. Maybe…omissions would fit better,” I qualify.
“Color it up pretty in whatever fucking package you want, Reed. The truth is still the truth. Fuck, even my own mother knew I was a father, for Christ’s sake, and didn’t tell me. Every damn one of you let me think Lennon belonged to my brother.” Anger, hurt, and loathing roll off him in waves. I feel it, but I’m not sure it is directed at anyone but himself. I don’t say that. I’d rather not get in another fist fight with him today. It might help to work his anger off, but I have a woman coming home to me, and I want to be able to kiss her without pain. Still, I’m not about to let him paint shit with a broad stroke. That’s not who I am.
“Is that what you told yourself to justify ruining the wedding?” I ask.
“I didn’t tell Katie to call it off. She did that of her own freewill.”
“She didn’t have much choice since Jeff disappeared,” I mutter, taking another drink.
To prove that Jake is intent on making everyone suffer, the bastard actually smiles—although it’s cruel and cold. It’s nothing like the easygoing best friend that I remember.
“That’s not my fault either. If he wants to run away, fuck him. He’s been living my life all these years. It’s time that ends.”
“Living your life? Are you even listening to yourself, Jake? Your life has been living on the rodeo circuit chasing the next big buckle. Jeff is the one that’s been here to make sure Katie and Lennon were taken care of. He wasn’t living your life, man. At least own up to that. He was building a life.”
“With my woman!” he spews, slamming his bottle down on the bar.
“Bullshit. You know better. Jeff never made a move on Katie until you cut her loose—and you did cut her loose. You wrote her a fucking letter and then didn’t answer her calls. You turned your back and never looked back.”
“I guess I don’t have to ask which side you’re on,” he says with a humorless smirk. “Do I, old buddy? Hard to believe you used to be the one person I could count on when I needed it.”
“Fuck that. I still am, but so are Jeff and your mom. Hell, if you needed something even Katie would try to help.”
“Trust me, right now Katie wouldn’t give me air in a jug.”
“With good reason. So, don’t play the completely alone card with me. You have people around you that care. You’re the one who turned your back on them. Hell, you barely called your own mother. I talked to her on the phone more than you did.”
“I sent her money,” he defends, and I sigh.
“What do you want, Jake?”
“I want to talk to my brother. I figure if anyone knows where he’s gone, it would be you.”
“I’m afraid you’re out of luck. I haven’t spoken to Jeff since after you showed up at the wedding.”
“Shit,” he hisses, rubbing the back of his neck. “I need to talk to him.”
“He’ll be back.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“He loves Katie.”
“Love,” he spits out, clearly not liking my answer.
Before I can respond, my cell rings. Saved by the fucking bell. “Hold that thought,” I tell Jake, preferring he let the whole thing drop.
I go back to the door where my phone is lying on the table with my billfold and keys. I figure it’s Trisha calling to ream my ass again. I don’t specifically want to hear any more shit from her, but that’s preferable to getting so pissed off that I get in another fight with Jake.
I pick up the phone and frown when I see the number.
Callie.
“This is a surprise, Bluebird. I figured you’d be hard at work already.”
I can feel the smile on my face as I talk to her.
“You knew it was me. You have my number programmed on your phone,” she says in surprise.
“Yeah,” I laugh. “How are you, baby?”
“I’m good. I just wanted to talk to you. Damn it, Reed, you’re writing today, right? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“Bluebird, what did I tell you about apologizing?”
“That I do too much of it,” she mumbles.
“Exactly. You know that I want to hear your voice anytime and anywhere. If you don’t know that, wait till you get home and I’ll prove it.”
There’s silence on the phone and I wait, not wanting to go too far. I hear a snort behind me and look over at Jake watching me—watching and judging. I don’t really give a fuck. In fact, I flash him a grin. I’m not the one standing here with my world imploding. Asshole needs to look in the mirror.