A Long Time Coming (Cane Brothers, #3)(139)

“You’re not losing her, you moron. She probably went out with a friend.”

“What friend?” I ask. “Yeah, maybe I was a psycho and asked Ryot if Myla was with him, and maybe I asked Huxley, and maybe I called you to see where Kelsey was. She doesn’t hang out with anyone else.”

“Yup, okay, the desperation is truly thick. Maybe she had an embarrassing appointment and didn’t want to talk to you about it. Maybe . . . I don’t know. She has to get a mole removed or something.”

“I have licked every inch of that woman’s body. Trust me, there is nothing she needs to get removed.”

“Valid, I’ve done the same to Kelsey, and she’s perfect.” He pauses for a second. “Ooo, maybe she’s surprising you with something, like . . . a new car.”

“What the fuck is this? The Price is Right? She’s not getting me a goddamn new car.”

“Okay, yeah, but maybe it’s something else like lingerie! Now that’s exciting and nothing to get your dick in a twist about.”

“Yeah, I could . . . I could see that. Maybe she’s buying me something.”

“I bet that’s it, buddy. She’s getting the old Breaker Boy a little treat. What a fucking nimrod, here you thought . . .” His voice trails off, and then I hear him say, “Uh, dude.”

“What?” I ask.

“Question. Do you remember what Brian looks like?”

“Of course, I remember what he looks like. A punchable turd nugget, why?”

He’s silent for a second and then says, “Well, I think I know where Lia is.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.

“What do you mean you know where she is?” I ask, once again that dread filling me.

“So Kelsey asked me to pick up some mozzarella from a deli that she’s obsessed with, and since she’s pregnant and hasn’t been able to keep food down lately, I’d do just about anything to make her feel better, including driving twenty minutes to a deli to grab mozzarella.”

“What the fuck does this have to do with Lia?” I nearly yell.

“Well, the deli is next to a coffee shop, and in the coffee shop window, I can see Lia . . . with a guy who I think is Brian.”

“What?” I shout. “Take a picture. Take a goddamn picture right now.”

“Isn’t that a little stalker-y?”

“JP, I’m going to fucking rip your dick off if you don’t take a picture right fucking now.”

“Okay, fine. Jesus.” He pauses for a second and then says, “I just texted you the pic.”

I go to my text messages just as his comes in. I click on it frantically, and when the picture comes into view, I zoom in, and sure enough, there’s Lia, her hand on Brian’s as they both share a cup of coffee.

I sink onto my bed and stare at it.

“From your silence, I’m going to assume you’re unwell at the moment.”

That doesn’t even begin to describe it.

“Why wouldn’t she tell me?” I ask as I stare down at the picture. “Fuck, do you think . . . do you think she’s getting back together with him?”

“No fucking chance,” JP says. “Come on, dude. She was miserable with Brian.”

“Then why the hell is she secretly meeting with him?”

“Huh, that’s a great question.”

“What are they doing now?” I ask. “FaceTime me. Let me see what’s happening.”

“Are you kidding me? Dude, I bolted immediately. I’m in the deli.”

“Well, go back. Stand outside the window, watch everything, tell me everything. Are they going to hug? Kiss? Fuck, I think I’m going to throw up.”

“Will you settle down? I’m already dealing with a hormonal wife. I don’t need a hormonal brother as well.”

“Excuse me, but when Kelsey was going out with another guy, I’m pretty sure I was fucking there for you.”

“Yeah, and you were also single with nothing better to do than to soothe my aching soul. I’m trying to buy fucking mozzarella, for fuck’s sake. You’re asking too much of me.”

“Why are you useless?” I ask while I flop back on the bed.

“Listen, I’m sure there’s a logical explanation about what’s going on. Why don’t you just wait for her, and when she gets home, you ask her? Don’t confront her. Don’t blame her. Just ask her. Think you can do that?”

“Yeah, I think so,” I say, taking a deep breath.

“And for the love of God, don’t tell her I saw her and sent you a picture. That shit will get back to Kelsey, and she’ll have my nuts.” He lowers his voice. “I truly am scared, man. She’s something different when pregnant.”

“Wow, you make wanting a family so much less desirable.”

“Currently, it’s a three out of ten for me. I’d not recommend it.”

“Great.” I stand from my bed. “I’m going over to her place. The sooner I see her, the better.”

“Remember, be cool.”

“Yeah, thanks,” I say before hanging up and stabbing my hand through my hair. “Fuck, I feel sick.” I take a deep breath and, wearing only a pair of joggers and a white T-shirt, I walk over to her apartment, where I set my phone down on her kitchen counter and start to pace the living room.