Even Jake, maybe he didn't embarrass easily, but he still had his scars. And I wasn't thinking of the physical kind.
When he returned home, I vowed, I'd kiss some of those scars away and remind him just how amazing he was.
I only wished I didn't have to wait. Trying not to sound as desperate as I felt, I said, "So whenareyou coming back?"
"Monday night. Late."
"How late?"
"Past midnight, maybe later."
"Oh." My shoulders sagged. "Because you can't change your flight?"
"No. Because, like a dumb-ass, I promised Bishop a favor."
"Really? What?"
"To spend some time with our brother."
I wasn't following. Based on what he'd already told me, I knew it couldn't be Joel. So who?
"Which one?" I asked.
"Lawton."
The answer surprised me, mostly because it hadn't even been on my list. Obviously, he meant Lawton Rastor, who, in addition to being Jake's half-brother, was practically a household name.
Jake never talked about him. And I had to wonder, why was that?
As far I knew they weren't remotely close. But Jakehadgone to his wedding, and it wasn'tthatlong ago.
Unfortunately, I'd missed the whole thing, but only because Jake and I had the bad luck to be broken up at the time.
I hated that – and not because I missed the wedding, even if it would've been nice to go.
Turning my thoughts to the present, I said, "So, he lives in Vegas now?"
"Nah," Jake said. "He's out here for a sports thing." He gave a humorless laugh. "I think Bishop wants us to 'bond' or something."
"You don't want to?"
"Eh, it's complicated. Family. You know."
I did know, as evidenced by the sounds of Kung fu fighting, coming from other room. Over that noise, I heard a knocking sound, not on my end, but on Jake's.
With a muttered curse, Jake said, "Baby, I hate to say this, but I've gotta go. Call you tomorrow?"
I hated that he had to go, but I liked the fact that he was spending time with his brother. Who knows? Maybe it would do him good.
I sure hoped so.
Besides, I had my own brothers to think of. Suddenly, a Kung fu marathon was sounding like the perfect way to end the evening.
Smiling into the phone, I said, "Until tomorrow then." In a quieter voice, I added, "I love you."
"I love you, too. And when I get back, I'm gonna prove it."
I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but I was definitely looking forward to it.
