Take the Fall (Take the Fall, #1)(21)

“Seth is back,” I say to Jase as I hand him the package of Oreos I brought. “He came back to bury Miss Myrtle.”

He stretches his legs out in front of him and swings his head my way before opening the cookies. “I know.” His eyes close as he chews the first one, savoring the taste. “God, that’s good.”

“How do you know?”

“Got a letter from him last week?” he says around a mouthful of cookie.

My mouth drops open. “He wrote you?” So it’s not just me he wants to apologize to apparently.

Jase shrugs. “I think his conscience got to him.”

“How long have the two of you been corresponding?” I demand.

“About a year,” he says. “Guy’s been through a lot.”

I slam my hand on the table, but Jase doesn’t even act like he notices. “You didn’t think it was important to tell me?” A year? Why hadn’t he done the same for me? Why did it take his grandmother’s death to make him apologize?

Jase levels me with a look, his dark blue eyes mocking. “Do you tell me about every piece of mail you get?”

“No,” I sputter. “Why would I?” I blow out a breath. “I can’t believe you’re defending him!”

Tipping his face to the sun, Jase closes his eyes. “Look, Ro, like I’ve said a hundred times to you before, you can hold a grudge against a man who went to jail for us when he could have put everything on me, or you can forgive him. It’s been seven years, sis. Let it go.”

I flatten my mouth. “They finally let you watch Frozen, didn’t they?”

“Don’t try to change the subject,” he says as his eyes open. “Why the interest in O’Connor all of a sudden?”

“Because I’m living with the ass until Miss Myrtle’s estate has been taken care of, and I’m teaching him about running the business until he makes up his mind on whether or not to sell it. To me, hopefully.”

Also, I screwed him in one of the empty offices at work. Go me.

Jase gives me a look. “Are you that dense?”

“No.” I make a noise. “About what?”

“Honey, you’re sitting on the key to your future.”

I make a face and punch my brother in the shoulder. “You are disgusting.”

He laughs. “I’m truthful. Men are led around by their dicks, so lead him around by his. You did it easily enough when y’all were kids.”

“It’s not that easy anymore,” I grumble.

“O’Connor grew up on ya, huh?”

He’d more than grew up on me. He’d turned into a man who didn’t put up with my smart mouth and saw right through my bravado. Though he said he loved it. Honestly, he’s the one leading me around, because I’m confused by him and my feelings. But those texts he sent last night…I’d gotten all mushy when he called me his compass.

“Yeah, I hear the military will do that to a person.” I tap my fingers against the metal picnic table in annoyance. “I doubt that sleeping with Seth will get him to see anything my way.”

“It couldn’t hurt, though.”

Actually, it hurt a lot. I had no idea if Seth would come back from base. I only had his promises and his texts. “Clearly, you have issues.”

“I haven’t gotten any in seven years, Rowan,” he says bluntly. “I’m a bit preoccupied with the subject.”

“You haven’t had sex in seven years?” I practically screech. I blush when everyone turns to look at us. “Sorry.”

“I’m not.” He laughs darkly. “Prison sex isn’t an exclusive club I want a membership in, and I told Giselle to stay away.”

And I’m sure she did. God, I hate that girl. “Thanks for oversharing.”

His lips suddenly curve into a smile that I’d kill to see every day. “So…I have news.”

“Stinky Pete isn’t so stinky anymore?”

Jase rolls his eyes at my Toy Story reference. But, this is how we communicate. Once, we had an entire conversation by quoting Spaceballs. “They’re letting me out next week. Friday to be precise.”

I cover my mouth with my hand. “The parole board met? You didn’t tell me! Why didn’t you tell me, Jase?” Grabbing him up in a hug, I squeeze tight. His arms wrap around me, briefly, before letting me go. Tears of joy flood my eyes and I let them fall freely. “This is the most amazing news ever.”

“I didn’t want to get your hopes up.” Jase lets out a thick sigh. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

Giddy, I clap. “I’m going to throw you the biggest homecoming party this town has seen.”

A huge grin covers his face. “You can do whatever the hell you want as long as you invite my buddies and Giselle.” Rolling his head from side to side, he closes his eyes for a moment—as if he’s imagining the party. “God, I don’t know what I want to do first, fu—, er, see Giselle, take a shower, or drink a beer? Hell, maybe I’ll do all three at the same time.”

I make a face. “Seriously?”

Jase gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Ro.”

“It’s not that. I mean, of course, ew…but, uh, Giselle’s not the easiest to get up with.” Unless you drive a nice car and have lots of money and a penis, but I’m not going to say that. Jase knows her; he has to know how she is.