Page 70 of Purr For Me
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kade was on a mission. He’d worked through his contacts and found out that Jason was staying with one of his buddies who lived in East LA. After the disaster of the cabin, he’d ensure Jason divorced her with no further drama. He owed her that.
Weariness weighed him down. He wished he’d paid off the mortgage when he’d first suggested it to Lexie. If he had, she wouldn’t have shut him out of her life. His heart wouldn’t have a shattered hollow in his chest.
Why couldn’t she love me enough?
His mind argued with itself—she loves me, she loves me not. Deep down, he knew she no longer loved his brother, but that didn’t mean she loved him either. Pain made him irrational, and he hoped he could be civil to Jason.
He’d not heard from Lexie in days, and it was so hard not to go to her and beg her to take him back, but he’d give her the space she’d asked for, scared she might leave for good. He needed space, too. He couldn’t forget the pain that had swamped him when she’d walked out, proving she loved her cabin more than him.
Driving down the street, Kade rehearsed what he would say to Jason as he looked for the right building. He spied a parking spot and quickly swung into it.
Getting out, he locked his car and strode toward the tall brick building with purposeful steps. He ran up the stairs to the third floor and knocked on the door of apartment 18. It opened, and Jason stood there. He looked haggard, and thinner than the last time Kade had seen him.
“I wondered when you’d get around to finding me.” Jason stepped back, opening the door wider. “C’mon in, bro.”
Kade stepped into the kitchen of the apartment and looked around. The place was dated, but surprisingly clean. The wood-paneled walls made the small room seem dark, and the faded green floral linoleum had seen better days. However, the appliances and single window sparkled.
“You want a beer?”
Kade shook his head. “No. I want you to sign your divorce papers. Lexie doesn’t want you back.”
Jason took a Coke from the refrigerator and twisted off the top.
“Still sober?” Kade said.
Jason leaned against the counter and took a swig of his drink. “I’m off drugs and booze.”
“I’m hoping the brother I used to know and love is around today, because I’m here to beg you to give Lexie the divorce she wants.”
Silence fell between them as Jason met Kade’s plea-filled gaze. At length, he said, “You love her, don’t you?”
“More than life.” Kade didn’t feel shy about admitting it. “Can you say that you ever loved her like that?”
The regret in Jason’s smile surprised Kade. “No. I can’t. I should’ve done us both a favor and never put a ring on her finger. She’s one hell of a woman, but I’m not in love with her. I don’t think I ever was. I wasn’t capable of loving anyone but myself.”
Kade smiled. “That’s quite an insight.”
Jason nodded sagely. “You’re right, but enough about that. The only reason you want me to sign the divorce papers is because you want to marry her. Am I right?”
Kade didn’t deny it. “Yeah. But I don’t think that will happen anytime soon.”
“How come?”
At Jason’s puzzled frown, Kade sat on the kitchen stool and told him the story about the Ericksons.
“That funkin’ sucks, man. Charlie and Jack always were douchebags.” He looked at Kade and sighed. “It’s really my fault. If I hadn’t mortgaged the property…”
“What’s done is done. I’m holding off sending in the story in to make them think I’m going to play along but I have a team working on the problem. But I admit, the chance of getting her cabin back is slim.”
“You mean get Lexie back,” Jason said.
“I wish. The cabin is a good start.” They looked at each other, both full of guilt. “Anyway, will you sign the papers?”
“Sure. I should have signed them weeks ago but—but I was scared. Signing the papers means I really am starting at the beginning again. I just needed to be sure it wouldn’t send me spiraling downwards again. It’s a slippery slope and a battlefield I walk every day. I’m still scared…”
Kade really looked at his brother. He looked so tired. It must be tiring, this constant battle. “You have me.” He was so lucky he didn’t have any addictions—except Lexie. “I’ve been doing up the mansion. It’s almost finished. The guesthouse is yours if you want it.”
