Rory walked over to the open bathroom area, reached over his head to the back of his neck, grabbed his shirt, and yanked it over his head. The full display of his eight-pack abs and massive shoulders reflected in the mirror.
She shook her head, unable to keep from staring. “See, now that’s just not fair.”
Rory tossed his shirt in the hamper next to him and gave her a wicked grin in the mirror. His hand went to the button on his jeans and flicked it open. She groaned.
Sadie pointed to the door leading into the bathroom, silently ordering Rory out of her sight.
“You’re so pretty when you blush.”
She appreciated that he was teasing her out of her funk, but the man was temptation times infinity and she needed to talk to her brother, not drool over the hot cowboy who could be in this bed with her right now if not for the drama and baggage in her life.
She sucked in a bolstering breath and called the new number Connor used to text her.
“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to contact you for hours,” he snapped.
She wanted to hang up again, walk into the bathroom, join Rory in the shower, and wash away this day with his arms wrapped around her. But no, she needed to deal with her brother.
“I was at the hospital with Dad. He’s gone, Connor.”
“He’s not dead. He’s fine. You’re lying.”
Leave it to her brother to deny the cold, hard truth.
“He had cancer. It spread to his brain.”
“He’s really dead?” Connor’s voice cracked, driving her sympathy to new heights.
“Yes,” she whispered, holding back another round of tears as grief swept her anger away. “He died a few hours ago.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“I tried, but obviously you’ve changed phones again.”
“You were with that Kendrick fuck.”
“Yes. I was with Rory, who stayed by my side for nearly two days, holding me and consoling me as Dad died right before my eyes.” She choked back her tears.
His heavy breath whooshed through the phone. “I should have been there.”
He said the words. Probably meant them, but that didn’t change the reasons why he wasn’t there.
“What did Dad leave us? How long until I can get my hands on the money?”
“What? Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Stupid question. Of course Connor only thought of himself and what he needed.
“The drugs we left behind the other night were worth a lot of money. You and your boyfriend fucked everything up. You owe me. I’m in deep shit.”
“You’re not getting any money.”
“Fuck, do you want to see me shot dead over this?”
She let her head fall back and stared up at the ceiling. “I want you to turn yourself in to the police. Get the help you need.”
“I don’t need fucking therapy or rehab. Going to jail won’t solve anything. These guys have people in prison. People who will kill me for what I’ve done. Dad had to have left something behind.”
“He left you and me behind. We should be planning his funeral and grieving our loss, talking about all the good times we shared, but all you’re interested in doing is saving your ass and taking what little is left of the ranch Dad built with his two hands and more hard work than you’ll ever do in your lifetime,” she snapped.
“Why are you being such a bitch?” The fury in his voice matched her own.
“Because I’m angry and upset and sad and devastated that we lost our father in such a terrible way and far too soon and all you do is think of yourself.”
“Sadie, please, I need your help.” Deep fear underlay the angry words he bit out.
“You do need help, but I can’t do this anymore. I love you, Connor, but you’re on your own. I won’t put my life on hold anymore because I’m too busy cleaning up yours. I found someone I love.” The admission startled her, because she hadn’t intended to say it, but it was true. Real and scary, what she’d found with Rory she didn’t ever want to lose.
To hold on to Rory, she let go of Connor.
“I won’t let your life destroy the happiness I’ve found in mine.” The ache in her chest grew so heavy she bowed over and wrapped her arm around her waist. “If you show up at the house, I will call the cops. Please don’t contact me again.”
“Sadie . . .”
“I’m sorry, Connor.” She hung up as her brother let loose a string of curses and threats that wouldn’t sway her. Not this time.
She meant what she said. She couldn’t do this anymore despite her assurances to her mother that she’d always look out for her little brother. Her brother’s life had taken over hers for far too long.