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We’re good. And he’s fine. He just wrote a giant check and threatened them not to ever kill a dog.
I wasn’t surprised. My seemingly unfeeling brother had a big heart. I’d kept that secret a long time, but Lexie and Eric had unearthed it. If Lincoln had a say, and he did, every animal shelter in this city would have whatever they needed to operate without hurting another living creature.
I sent a thumbs-up emoji and sank into the tub. The water was hot, too hot, but I slid in up to my chin. I closed my eyes, willing the entire wasted day to evaporate.
My phone buzzed again, this time with a call. Lexie must have more to report on what Lincoln had done.
“You haven’t answered my text.”
The ferocious growl thundered in my ear before I had a chance to speak. My eyelids flew open.
Cal.
He hadn’t called me . . . I wouldn’t think about the last time he had.
“I have a hand that feels like it’s been through a meat grinder. That’s not exactly conducive to texting.”
He grunted like he was some sort of primitive caveman. Strangely, it got his point across loud and clear. My answer was unsatisfactory to him.
“Put more ice on it.”
“By all means, tell me what to do, doctor.” I rolled my eyes and leaned my head back again.
“I mean it.”
“I’m sure you do.” If he were here, I’d give him my favorite fake smile. And he’d return his best grimace.
“How’s the bruising?”
“Will you stop?”
He was turning this into something it wasn’t. Kissing wasn’t allowed and phone calls were quickly moving their way up the list.
“Excuse the hell out of me for wanting to make sure you’re okay. My mistake.”
I sat up. Water splashed over the side of the tub.
“Don’t you dare, Garrett Calhoun. You gave up your say over anything to do with me, quite willingly as I recall.”
“And you’ve given your body right back to me, quite willingly as I recall.”
Bastard.
He was right.
“Is this some sort of sick mind game?” He’d toyed with me all those years ago. I’d been too infatuated to see it. Too . . .don’t you even think it, Beau.
“You’re the one playing games, baby sister.”
That nickname. He’d called me that from the first time we met. Something inside me always reacted. This time it was longing with a heavy dose of pain and anger.
“Ijust wanted sex.You’rethe one dragging other garbage into this.”
“Since when is hating to see you hurt a crime?”
“Since you took the position as king of doing it.” I hung up. He’d riled me up to the point of admitting a truth I didn’t even speak to myself any longer.
I’d just handed over more power to the man who still held all the shattered pieces of my heart.
