Page 63 of Remade

Understandable. The big brother who felt the need to stay strong and so on.

“But now I have reason to believe something major shifted with Gage anyway,” he said. I presumed that was the brother’s name. “Survivor’s guilt, maybe? Feeling the need to do good? Wanting to make a difference? Whatever?—”

“Uncle Bo!” I heard Alex yell.

Fuck. “Hold that thought.” I got up from my chair and walked over to the other end of the porch, from where I could see the guest cabin. “What’s up, mouse?”

She grinned goofily, standing on the steps and clutching the door. “We’re gonna play land nav in the snow, okay?”

What snow? The thin layer that turned the lawn a minty green color?

“You go ahead and play land nav,” I said. “Just stay where I can see you or make sure Leighton’s with you.”

“Yessir!” She returned inside, hollering for Leighton to help her with her coat and boots.

I smiled and went back to the table.

“Did she say land nav?” Darius chuckled.

“Oh yeah, I’m totally fucking her up.” I got comfortable and took a swig of my coffee. “That girl knows more about drills than ponies and tea parties.”

The other week, she’d wanted to go swimming in the pool at Hillcroft, so she’d said she wanted to play water quals.

“My brand of fuckup, then,” he replied firmly. “I’m sure your brother would agree.”

“Undoubtedly.” Vince had been worse. At least I let the girl use glitter markers. “Speaking of brothers…” I brought us back on track.

“Right.” He sat forward a bit. “Last year, Ryan brought something to my attention, but it wasn’t enough for me to push the kid for answers he’s not obligated to share with anyone. It’s his life.” He cleared his throat. “Fast-forward to just last week. Gage was supposed to come home for the holidays, and then Gray was on the phone with him. He mentioned what’s been going on here, with Leighton joining the family, that he’s a recruit at Hillcroft, and…yeah. Then two days ago, Gage called their mom and said he’s sick. He won’t be here.”

“All right,” I said slowly. “I’m assuming there’s gonna be a Hillcroft connection somewhere.”

He inclined his head. “He’s certainly heard me mentionin’ Hillcroft over the years. It wouldn’t be difficult for Gage to find the place if he, for some reason or other, decided to switch careers.”

In other words, he wondered if we had a Gage at Hillcroft…?

Not only was I not allowed to share that information, but I was usually shit with first names. Gage didn’t ring a bell. He could also be working under an alias.

“Has he mentioned anything about switching careers?” I asked.

Darius shook his head. “He claims he’s a car mechanic. He also claims that he lives in Vancouver—which he used to. Gray and I helped him move once, but it’s been years since anyone visited. He always comes here, and he’s got creative excuses each time someone suggests driving up to see him.”

I furrowed my brow. “It would take you about ten minutes to figure out if he lives there—and where he works. Three if you call your sister.”

He laughed through his nose and lifted his mug. “I’m tryna respect his privacy. It’s his choice if he wants to become an operator. I won’t dig for dirt. But I figured I could ask my nephew’s boyfriend a simple question.”

I nodded slowly and finished my coffee in two quick swallows.

Then I sat back and threaded my fingers across my stomach.

“I know you’re not at liberty to divulge anythin’,” he said.

That was the case. But since I hadn’t heard of a Gage, that I could remember…I shrugged. “I’ll be honest enough and say his name doesn’t ring a bell.”

The sound of giggles reached my ears, and I looked out over the yard and saw Alex and the little girl—Cass? They ran along the stream. Darius and Gray’s daughter was younger than Alex by at least a couple years, but they clearly got along.

Darius spoke up again. “What about Gage Nolan?”

Well, shit.

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