Page 90 of Cold Hard Truth

I should correct him, but I don’t because that’s what Lyla is.

“Not here.”

Jude chuckles.

“What?”

“You’re fucking done, man.”

I glance up at him.

“I’m not being an ass.” He wraps his hand, prepping for his fight. “It’s good for you guys.”

“I’m not good for her.”

“Says you.” Reed pops up next to me, nudging my shoulder.

“Where did you come from?”

“Just visiting with my new friend, Fel.” She smiles at Jude. “You did good with that one.”

“I know.” And even if Jude rarely smiles, he almost lets one escape at the mention of his wife.

“It’s wild. Did someone slip something into the water?” Reed crosses her arms over her chest. “Last time I was in town, I couldn’t even crash at the apartment because of the rotating door of women going in and out. Now you’re all settled, pairing off, and shacking up. Even Crew. Are you guys actually growing up?”

“Don’t count on it,” I tell her.

“Even with Lyla back?”

“I’m doing Kane a favor.”

“Is that what that was last night?” Reed taps her lips with her finger. “The walls are pretty thin you know. And I don’t think the favor Kane asked of you involved the sounds I’d like to bleach from my brain.”

“Oh yeah?” Jude crosses his arms over his chest, amused. “What kind of favor are you doing for Kane, Sage?”

“It’s complicated.” I take another sip of water.

Reed and Jude share a glance before she shakes her head. “I’m sure it is.”

“Don’t you have your own relationship to focus on?”

She wraps her hands around my arm, even if once more I don’t miss the frown that darkens her expression with the mention of Carter. But just as quickly as I see it, she rolls her shoulders back and brushes it off.

“What’s the fun in that, big brother? I didn’t come to town just to see Lyla. It’s my job to point out your shortcomings.”

“My shortcomings?” I lift my eyebrows. “Didn’t you just say you heard through the thin walls this morning that I don’t have any?”

“Gross.” Reed shoves me away from her as Jude shakes his head, burying his grin. “I’m going back to the apartment. I already know way too much about your sex life.”

She turns to walk off.

“Hey, Reed.” I stop her. “Can you check on Lyla when you get there?”

She glances over her shoulder, her eyebrows pinching. “She’s not there.”

“What do you mean, she’s not there?”

She was there two hours ago when we closed the shop, and I was barely able to drag myself away from her to hold up my commitment to Crew to fight tonight.

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