Page 69 of InfraRed

“You had a sister?” Her fingers wrap around my tie, winding and unwinding it.

“Yeah, we did. She was born with a heart defect and died when she was three. Jagger was eleven, and I was sixteen. It sent Mom into a deep depression she never came out of. We were living in California at the time because Dad was trying to give her new scenery, I suppose. One day I came home after spending the weekend with friends. Jagger and Dad were somewhere running errands. I don’t even remember. I called out for Mom, and she never answered. I went to her room, and she wasn’t there. Any other time, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it, but I had this feeling I couldn’t shake. She was in the bathtub, completely submerged.”

Casey shifts her body until she’s straddling me and throws her arms around me. Mine wrap around her like a lifeline. She’s always been my lifeline. No matter what my feelings were, she was that for me, and I was that for her.

“I’m so sorry,” she sniffles against my neck. “I’m sorry you lost her, and I’m sorry you’re the one who found her.”

“Better me than Jagger,” I murmur against her hair. And that’s the truth. If the choice were between me or Dad or Jagger, I’d choose to be the one to find her every time. Dad became a mess after that. Marrying Krista was proof of that. He was lonely, heartbroken, and riddled with guilt that she manipulated at every turn, gaslighting him for years.

And Jagger. He was a momma’s boy through and through, and the baby until Bonnie came along. Of course, he didn’t handle Mom’s death well. And I have the same feeling in my gut I had that day about Mom that he’s been through so much more. I can’t imagine if he’d found her how he would be doing today. He’s barely holding it together as it is.

Grief I haven’t allowed myself to feel in years and guilt I’ve struggled with more and more lately rip through me. I should’ve been there for Jagger. He was just a fucking kid, but so was I andI didn’t know how to help him.

Then came Casey. Our grief wasn’t the same, but I understood it anyway. And I couldn’t believe that little girl would cry so hard and so desperately for her dad if he were the abusive asshole my dad said he was. I didn’t expect Liam to ask me to watch out for his little girl, but he did. I made a promise, and I threw myself into the request he made the day I let a teary-eyed little girl use my phone to call her dad despite being warned against it.

“I’m still sorry, Graham. I know you loved her, and the things you’ve told me, she loved you too.”

“She did, baby. She couldn’t help her mind fought against her. I know if she could’ve, she’d still be here.” I take a deep breath, pushing it all away. It’s not healthy to live in the past—in the what ifs and what might’ve beens—and after I burned that house to the ground, I promised myself I wouldn’t get lost in it again. If I did, it would consume me.

I brush my fingers through Casey’s hair, staring into those pretty pools of sapphire. My lips slant over hers, placing a soft kiss against hers. The words are on the tip of my tongue. Now seems like an awful time to tell her. After I’ve yelled at her for being stubborn. Practically had a meltdown over her medicine. But… “You know, I love you, don’t you?”

Her mouth tips at the corner as she drops her eyes. “I love you, too, Graham.”

“No, Casey. I’m in love with you. I’m so fucking in love you with I think I’m losing my mind.”

Her mouth presses against mine again. It’s brief and sweet and is over too fast. “And I have been in love with you since I was a little girl.”

“But you still want to keep us a secret.”Way to ruin the moment, asshole.

“No,” she whispers. My heart slams against my chest. I want to ask her if I heard her correctly, but I don’t say a fucking word just in case. Then she adds, “No more secrets. I’ve just got to tell my dad.”

I squeeze her tight against me, wanting to bury myself inside her. I wonder if she’ll let me? “We’vegot to tell him. I won’t make you do that alone.”

“It’s probably better if I do.”

“Probably,” I kiss her nose, “but it’s not happening. We’re in this together. I’ll be right by your side.”

She shakes her head with a grin. “I want to say no, but it wouldn’t do me any good, would it?”

I flip our positions until I’m hovering over her. “Nope. Just like it won’t do you any good to argue about this.”

Turns out the answer to my question is yes.

Graham

Dark clouds fill the sky, bringing in a much needed reprieve from the unforgiving summer sun that reflects off the asphalt and towering structures of the city. I step out of the car, buttoning my suit as I run my eyes over the building in front of me. The entrance is roped off and security stands across the barricade with people gathering on either side, curious about what’s going on. The location is well known for filming, so the intrigue is high.

The sound of thunder rumbles in the distance as the smell of rain assaults my senses. I lean back inside the car, getting Will’s attention. “I’ll text you when I’m ready. If it’s raining, use the garage.”

“Aw, afraid of a little rain? Think it might wash away the shine and everyone will find out you’re just plated and not twenty-four karat.”

Fucker.“Remind me to fire you when you get back.”

His boisterous cackle rings out as I slam the door. Halfway to the entrance, I hear my name called. From over my should I see Will’s wide grin as he leans across the car to the open window, and I prepare for the smart ass comment. “Don’t forget to fire me when I get back.”

My lips curl with annoyance as I roll my eyes and walk toward the building. One day, I really will fire the asshole.

The curious onlookers standing outside of the ropes get louder as I approach. One of the security team, clearly belonging toHenry’s company, lifts the cordon, allowing me through. A few bystanders call out my name, recognizing me from one article or another no doubt, shouting for me to tell them what’s going on here today.

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