“It was still a win,” Jase insisted. “Can you ever just take credit for something and bask in the glory for a day?”
“There’s no glory in what we did last night. But I’m grateful my men came out unscathed.”
“What about your shoulder and face?”
“Minor.”
“Of course.”
Cole reached in the bag and pulled out a blueberry muffin, his favorite. “Did you come here for an official report on last night?” He took a big bite, tossing the remainder of his bagel in the trash as he did.
Jase gripped the arms of the chair, his shoulders stiffening. “She saw my dad.”
“Her dad, too,” Cole said quietly, choosing not to mention he knew all about Sienna’s encounter with Declan. It would reveal too much when he wasn’t sure yet what Jase wanted from him.
“Apparently she sat in her car in front of his duplex.”
“No law against that.”
Jase blew out a breath. “Dad noticed and walked out to talk to her. But she took off right after. Now he’s worked up that he scared her away and wants me to reach out.”
“Okay.”
“Not okay,” Jase countered. “I don’t know what to say to her. I have no idea what she wants or why she’s still in town when she hasn’t talked to either of us.”
“Maybe she’s getting her bearings,” Cole suggested.
“What does that mean?”
“We both know she didn’t plan this trip. She might need some time to figure out exactly what she wants from a relationship with you and Declan.”
“I don’t believe she wants any kind of relationship.” Jase shook his head. “I think she’s hanging around to stir the pot. I get the feeling she’s angry with both of us, although I can’t figure out why. Hell, she was the one who got out. I stayed behind and dealt with Dad’s demons while Sienna lived the good life in Chicago.”
Cole concentrated on pulling the wrapper from the oversize muffin. He took another bite, then a long drink of coffee. He’d hoped Jase would just continue his rant, but obviously he wanted Cole’s take on the situation.
“You chose to stay.”
“It wasn’t much of a choice,” Jase muttered.
“But you got to make it. Maybe the life you had was difficult, but it was yours. Your mom took Sienna. She had no choice.”
“Are you telling me I got the better deal spending my childhood trying to keep Declan away from the bottle—unsuccessfully for years as everyone knows? I went to my mom’s house last year when I was in Chicago. Remember the movieHome Alone?”
Cole nodded.
“They live around the corner from the house where it was filmed. It’s a hell of a nice neighborhood. That’s where Sienna grew up. She went to great schools, played tennis and rode horses if the framed photos our mom has displayed are any indication. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her?”
“You know a bunch of material crap doesn’t necessarily make for a happy childhood.”
“You’re defending her.”
“There’s nothing to defend, Jase.” Cole blew out a breath. “I’m telling you that from what I gather, the grass wasn’t always green for Sienna, despite where she was raised.”
“I need her gone,” Jase said suddenly.
“Why?”
“It’s not the right time. We’re about to have a baby. Em is worried about how Davey is going to take to having a little sister or brother. He seems excited by it now, but it’s going to be a lot of work.”
