Page 30 of Chasing Sparks

Honestly, I’m tempted to hang up, because I’m in no mood for her variety of bullshit.

She comes back on the line, the background noise now a dull roar. “That’s better. I walked outside.”

Why do I care? Better yet, why am I still on this call?

Consider it morbid curiosity.

“So, this weekend? Are you free?” she presses.

“I’m not. I’m helping a … friend with her house. Why do you ask?”

But Lucille continues with her cloak and dagger game. “I need to talk to you, but it has to be in person. Please, Ash, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. Do you have time next week?”

She hasgotto be kidding me.

“Of all the people in the world, why are you calling me? Don’t you have some friends who can help you?”

“I can’t trust them, Ash. You’re the only one I can.” Her voice wavers, thick with emotion.

Don’t do it. This is a terrible idea.

But despite my brain’s warnings, I huff out a sigh and relent to her request. “Fine. I can find an hour or two next week. You want to give me your number or?—”

“I’ll call you. It was great hearing your voice.”

The line clicks dead, leaving me staring at the phone.

“Don’t tell me that was a last-minute addition to tomorrow’s schedule, because my hands are aching.” Braden stands in the doorway, massaging his palm.

I lean back in the chair and release a noisy exhale. “That was Lucille.”

“What the fuck does she want?”

“To talk.”

“Maybe she should have done that ten years ago. You know, told you she was married before she started fucking you?” Braden snarls.

“Good point.”

“You told her where to shove her request, right?”

I shrug, pouring another finger of whiskey. “She said it was important. That she can’t trust anyone else.”

Braden yanks off his ball cap, running a hand through his hair. “Ash, come on, man. You know she’s not worth it. Don’t do this to yourself.”

“I’m not, Braden. She asked to see me this weekend, but I told her we’re busy helping Ori.”

“Good. I’m glad you told her no.”

I run my tongue ring along my teeth, unsure I want to say anything more.

But my brother knows me too well. He reads my silence like a book.

Braden narrows his eyes, his disgust palpable. “You didn’t tell her no.”

“I told her I’d find time next week. She said it was important,” I mutter, sounding like a broken record.

“What’s important is getting your head out of your ass before you wind up right back where you were ten years ago,” Braden snaps before storming off, throwing up a hand for effect.

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