Page 92 of Scatter the Bones

Trail cameras. Fuck.I’ll have to make sure we avoid those. “Yeah, maybe.” I glance at his phone. “Where do you access the trail camera pics? Your phone?”

He frowns at me. “Yeah, why?”

“Just wondering.”

“Are you planning to run naked through my woods or something?”

Or something.I struggle to keep my expression blank.

“Maybe. It’s supposed to help you connect with nature and Vitamin D synthesis,” I manage to say with a completely straight face.

His jaw drops and his scowl deepens. “What the fuck ever. Deer ticks are everywhere down here. Don’t come crying to me when you need one pulled out of your wrinkly ball sack. I ain’t doing it.”

I double over laughing and rub my crotch. “Jesus Christ. Why’d you have to saythat. Now I’m gonna have nightmares.”

“That’s what you get for puttin’ the image of you runnin’ around with your cock out in my head.”

Still shaking with laughter, I can’t come up with a response. Finally, I wipe tears from my eyes and tuck my phone away. “Thanks for that.”

He glances at his watch. “Are you done stalling? Aren’t you supposed to meet your brother? You’re going to be late.”

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing. Distracting myself. Delaying this meeting. Rooster knows me too well. “Yeah, I need to change and get going.”

“If you need me, call.” He pats my back, turns and heads toward the house. “Good luck.”

I wait until the door shuts behind him before heading around to the side entrance that leads to my apartment. The second I step inside, the silence hits me. All my shit’s exactly how I left it—not that Rooster would ever invade my privacy. But something feels...off. Still. Too quiet. Like it doesn’t belong to me anymore. Just four walls and a mattress to crash on when I’m passing through.

I strip off my clothes, take the fastest shower known to man, throw on something clean, and hit the road.

I can’t avoid this any longer.

Time to meet my brother.

The kid I forgot about for too long.

The one who reminds me of everything I’d rather leave buried.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Jigsaw

The closer Iget to the hotel, the more I regret saying I’d meet him here. Too exposed. Too public. Too many variables I can’t control.

But it’s too late to back out now.

I spot him before I even finish turning into the parking lot—pacing the sidewalk like he doesn’t want to have this meeting any more than I do. Black hoodie, beat-up jeans, and a backpack slung over one shoulder.

My stomach knots.

I roll into a spot and kill the engine. Sit there a second watching him. He’s taller than I remember from our short reunion at Crystal Ball the other night. Restless energy rolls off him—something I recognize all too well.

He seems more than nervous. Untethered. Lost.

I push the door open and climb out, forcing my legs to move.

Cain stops pacing as I approach, eyes flicking to mine, then darting away.

“What’re you doing outside?” I ask, tone gruffer than I mean it to be.

---