Broken(19)

Cade pulled away from him. “Says you.”

“And Decker and Ridge for that matter. I think Ridge wanted to come to get you instead of me, and you know what a hothead he is. The two of you would have ended up throwing blows. Look, all I’m trying to say is, you made everyone at the house damned uncomfortable, even before you uttered a single word. I understand the two of you had a history together, but you have to start thinking about the people around you.”

“I am thinking about other people. It’s why I couldn’t sit around and listen to you all get lied to.”

“What exactly is she lying about?”

Cade didn’t have a ready answer so instead he searched the ground for the perfect skipping rock.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Whatever your problem is, you’re going to have to get over it quick because it’s starting to affect the operation around here.”

Cade glanced at his brother with raised eyebrows. “What the hell are you talking about? I work just as hard as anyone else around here.”

“No one’s disputing that, little bro, I’m talking about how you’ve been treating the boys lately. I had a hell of a time trying to convince Otis not to quit after you ripped into him for not repairing the fence to your satisfaction. Jack even mentioned how you’re taking your temper out on everyone. Morale has been down lately and if you keep it up, we’re going to have a strike on our hands.”

Cade lowered himself to the ground and stretched out his legs as he gazed at the stars just beginning to appear in the purple hazed sky. He didn’t bother to reply. Hell, he knew he had been a jerk lately, but realizing it didn’t make a lick of difference. Nothing would as long as she was around.. Damn her, and damn him for still caring. All the hard work he’d put in to forget her all went up in smoke the moment he set eyes on her again.

Stone hunched down, taking the spot next to him. “Cade, I know you’re hurting, but making snide comments when she’s around won’t change the past. I can’t begin to know what’s in her mind or imagine why she’d stay away so long without a sufficient explanation, but I think there’s more to the story than what you think. Call it a hunch, but I think she’s suffering, too.”

“Probably her guilty conscience,” Cade muttered, not buying that theory for a second. After all, they had been as close as any two people could be. They were lovers and best friends and yet she couldn’t tell him if there was a problem? Bullshit.

“I’m serious. She doesn’t look one hundred percent healthy. She’s a lot thinner than she used to be, maybe she hasn’t been eating properly, but I also detected some circles under her eyes. Something’s going on with her.”

“Maybe it’s called Nuu York livin’. It’s a superficial place. I bet she throws up after her meals.”

“Now you’re starting to sound ridiculous. That makes absolutely no sense, and what the hell do you know about New York anyway? You’ve never been.”

“I watch the occasional movie.”

Stone raised both brows. “Are you serious? If everyone thought like you, people watching movies would think Texans are a bunch of gun-toting yokels. Now stop being such an ass. I think you should go talk to her and find out what the matter is.”

Cade pulled up a clump of grass and tossed it as far as he could. “If you’re so damn interested in hearing her excuses, then why don’t you ask her yourself?”

Stone sighed. “Cade, I’m trying my best to understand your feelings, but you’re not making this easy for me.”