Page 110 of The Rogue

I lift my phone from my back pocket and dial.

Noah answers on the second ring. “Your kid’s fine, jackass. Even won a few prizes. Think it was rigged. This has Tessa written all over it.”

“Have you been drinking?”

“A few. Seven. Not my fault. Every time Charlie makes a speech, she hands me her drink.” He burps. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

That makes two of us.

“Pull yourself together and come over.I need you.”

“What’s going on?”

“Tessa left. Bring your laptop.”

He curses. “Give me an hour. We’re just about done here.”

“You okay to drive?”

“Dad will drive me.”

I’m about to hang up when I realize what he said. “Dad? He left with Tessa a while ago.”

“Came back. Lookin’ for you.”

Exactly one hour later, Dad, Noah and Jackson walk through the front door.

Jackson shows me all his prizes and party accessories Charlie let him keep. I try to keep a smile on my face, but it’s damn hard knowing I’m going to break his little heart in the morning.

I sure as hell don’t have the strength for it tonight.

Or the words. I’m not making him the promises Tessa made me. That she’ll be back. That it’s only a few days. That she’s just helping a friend.

I don’t know if I believe any of it.

But if she’s lying, I will find out.

As usual, Dad saves the day and helps settle Jackson into bed.

I walk over to Noah, who’s seated at the kitchen island. Fingers racing across the keyboard, pausing, then clicking away again.

“Find anything?”

My brother looks up, glaring at me through his glasses. “Yeah. Digging up info on someone who didn’t exist three years ago usually takes about seven minutes.”

I stare back. “Is that a no?”

He shakes his head. “Get me a glass of water. Need to sober up.”

Thirty minutes later, dad comes down the stairs and straight into the living room.

“Kid’s energy reminds me of you when you were that age. Wouldn’t bet on him sleepin’ in tomorrow though,” he says, like I don’t know my own kid.

I join him on the couch. Dropping my head into my hands, rubbing my temples. “Thanks.”

“Anything I can do?”

“You could tell me the real reason you left with Tess earlier.”

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