Page 81 of Scatter the Bones

I glance over at him. “I didn’t fight with her.”

“Okay.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I know he’s not done. “You ghosted her again?”

“No, just left early.” I tighten my hands on the steering wheel. “But I called her this morning.”

He nods slowly. “And?”

“And what?”

“You clean up the mess you made by sneaking out without a word?”

My silence is answer enough.

Rooster sighs and shakes his head. “Man, you’re lucky she puts up with your shit.”

“Don’t I know it,” I mutter, slowing as the path curves to the left before Wrath’s house. “You done lecturing me now?”

“Never.” He flashes a grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

As I clear the turn, a sharpcracksplits the air.

“The fuck?” I mutter.

Wrath’s shirtless body swinging an ax in the air comes into view and it all makes sense.

“Well, that’s not something I needed to see first thing in the morning,” Rooster says.

I slow the vehicle, stopping by the path leading up to the wide front steps of Wrath and Trinity’s log mansion.

Leaning forward so I can see him through the cab’s window, I shout, “Are we intruding on some Red Riding Hood/Lumberjack role-play thing you and Trin are doing?”

Rooster strokes his hand over his beard. “Nah, I think he’s getting ready for a photoshoot for another book cover. Something like,Taming the Viking Lumberjack,maybe?”

Wrath sinks the blade of the ax into a tree stump and stalks over to us, sweat gleaming on his chest.

“Did you oil yourself up to chop wood?” I ask with a straight face.

“You two are full of jokes this morning, huh?” He stops on Rooster’s side of the cab, slaps his hand on the roof, and leans in. “The fuck you doing up here riding around this early?”

Rooster jerks his thumb toward the back. “Brought some salt up for Z.”

Wrath eyes the bags loaded in the back. “Awww, isn’t that sweet of you.” He pushes away from the cab and hefts two of the bags into his arms. “Thanks, Culligan Man. We’re low too, so I’ll help myself to these as your toll for interrupting my morning workout.”

“Knock yourself out.” Rooster shrugs.

Wrath tosses the bags over his shoulder and heads into the house.

Laughing and shaking his head, Rooster waves his hand in front of him. “Go, before Murphy runs out of his house and jacks us for another two bags.”

I ease my foot onto the gas pedal and steer the UTV back onto the main path. “I mean, since we’re here and we still have more bags in the truck to unload, we might as well drop some off at everyone’s house.”

“What’re you, the water softener fairy now?” He laughs. “Should I get you a pair of wings?”

“Nah, I already sparkle enough.” I grin and toss my head from side to side.

He twists around, counting under his breath. “Fine. Stop at Murphy’s. I’ll toss two bags on their porch.”

We bump and bounce along in the UTV until Murphy’s big log cabin comes into view. I veer to the right, stopping at the low stone wall marking off their yard and shift into Park.

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