Page 205 of Scatter the Bones

Jezzie shakes off the moment of self-reflection. “I never blamed you. I was just thankful you got me out of there.”

“Yeah, but then you were mad at me for leaving you with Aunt Angela?—”

“No, I wasn’t.”

I blink and stare at her.

“I was mad you didn’tstaythere with us.” She shrugs. “I thought we were going to all live together. I realize now, that would’ve been weird for youandher. But I was mad you wanted to live with a bunch of bikers instead of us.”

It’s a subtle difference—but it changes everything.

I glance over at Margot. No smugI told you soin her expression—just soft eyes, glistening with tears. She brushes them away and gives me a quiet, wobbly smile.

A chair scrapes over the tile and Jezzie approaches me slowly. I stand and pull her into my arms. She sniffles against my chest.

“Were you really worried Cain was a threat?” The words are muffled against my shirt, but I make them out. She tips her head back. “He used to hide under my bed when it rained.”

I rumble with laughter and squeeze her tighter. “Like I said, he’s not a kid, anymore. He’s still kinda shy. A little mouthy. Resourceful.”

“Can we go see him?”

“Yeah, let me see if he’s around.” I release her and pull out my phone.

“Wait, you didn’t tell him I was coming today?”

I hesitate. “No. I didn’t want to…get his hopes up ifyoudidn’t want to seehim.”

“So…you were trying to protectbothof us?”

“I guess.”

“I love you, Jensen. You’re a good brother. Even if you’re a pain in my ass sometimes.”

“Right back atcha.”

Instead of wasting time texting, I dial Cain’s number.

While the phone rings, Jezzie approaches Margot and gives her a hug. “Was this your doing?” she whispers.

Margot shakes her head.

Cain answers. “Bro, who still calls people, like ever?”

“I do,” I growl. “Are you home?”

“No, but I’m headed there in like ten minutes.”

“Great, you mind if I meet you there?”

“Yeah,” he answers cautiously, like he’s hopeful. Fuck, I really have been neglecting this kid. “Sure.”

“I’m bringing someone with me who really wants to see you.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Margot

I almost splatterinto a thousand tears when Jezzie hugs me.

---