Page 198 of Back in the Saddle

It smelled like rosemary, cedarwood, lotus blossom and pepper (the latter two were from my perfume) and…fucking.

Ah, happy memories.

“Jess,” Jeff tore me from my happy memories.

“How did yesterday go?” I asked gently.

Surprisingly, sorrow didn’t hit his face. Anger did.

“Jamal’s people were wrecked,” he shared. “They knew how it went down before they asked that first question, because they know Javi…and they know Joaq.”

“Okay,” I replied.

“Joaquim’s people were assholes. All up in Javi’s face that he killed their son and brother. Totally blaming him. Javi didn’t say dick. Just let them pile it on him.”

“Did you tell them it wasn’t his idea?” I asked.

“I started to, but Javi gave me a look to shut me up.” His head ticked angrily. “I get it. He’s willing to shoulder the blame that isn’t his when they’re grieving. But Joaq spent half his time growing up at Jamal’s house because his parents make Mom and Dad seem functional and loving.”

Yikes.

I winced.

“Yeah,” he agreed.

“I’m sorry that was even less fun than it was already going to be,” I said.

“I am too.”

Taking us out of that…

“Okay, not that I’m going to text you every hour, but while you’re in the mountains laying low, can I contact you? Just to check in.”

He looked uncomfortable.

“I don’t have to,” I said quickly. “I’m sure it won’t take us long to figure this out, and then you guys can come back.”

Or at least I hoped it didn’t take long. I was so far over these stakeouts, it wasn’t funny.

“That’s not why I feel hinky.”

“Why do you feel hinky?”

“Because I fucked us up.”

I grabbed his hand again. “What? No. We had a thing. That thing is over.”

“You texted me once yesterday, Jess.”

I nodded. “I know.”

“The old Jess would have called to ask how it went down when we talked to Joaquim and Jamal’s people.”

Oh shit.

“Should I have done that?”

He pulled his hand from mine to point at me and say, “That. Right there.”

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