35. Shane
Chapter 35
Shane
W e are halfway through our lunch—burgers that Max and I grilled on the deck while I apologized again for tackling him—when my phone rings. The area code is from back home, but I don’t recognize the number. I’m already keyed up from what happened with Max and this call does nothing to alleviate my tension. I feel like shit now that my head has cleared. Max is a good friend. I didn’t hurt him, but he didn’t deserve that hit, even if he keeps telling me not to worry about it.
Excusing myself from the table, I step onto the deck with a backward look at my friends. “Hello?”
“Shane? Is that you?” a female’s voice replies. It’s familiar, the tone similar to my mother’s.
“Who is this?” I demand, realization settling in my gut.
“Brother? It’s Lana.”
Lana. My sister. I was stupid to think she would have let it go after mom refused to tell her who she was talking to.
“Lana. Why are you calling me? You know it’s forbidden. Are Mom and Dad okay? Is it Aubrey?”
“They’re all fine, I just needed to find out who Mom was talking to. It was eating me up after she was so cagey the other day.” Her voice is a whisper when she asks, “ Brother , how are you?” I can hear restrained emotions in her voice.
My strong little sister would rather die than admit she has feelings, but I struggle to keep mine in check listening to her. Calling my mother opened the incision that I’d managed to stitch shut. Now the threads that kept my emotions at bay are pulling loose with each word Lana speaks.
“I’d be a lot better if I could see you, all of you, and if these Ross assholes weren’t looking for me. But Lana, you can’t call me again. I miss you all so much, but you can’t get wrapped up in this.”
“Shane, we’re already wrapped up in it. Dad took Aubrey on a camping trip across the country. They left this morning and are talking about being gone for months. Who goes camping that long? I’m not stupid, he’s getting him out of town until things settle down and Colton isn’t looking for a McKinley son to even the score. If you would just come back and challenge him you could end all of this.”
“You know I can’t do that. Just crossing into the territory would set me up to be hunted, and if I lost, they’d punish all of you. This exile is my punishment. If you welcome me back, it’s yours, too.”
I remind her of the rules of the pack, the ones that kept me from being killed all those years ago. The ones that keep them safe from retribution for my actions.
“You think the last ten years haven’t punished all of us? You won’t lose, brother.”
“I can’t do this, Lana. I love you and I miss you, but it’s best for everyone that I stay gone.”
“Where are you? You said they’ve been after you. You don’t think they’ll find wherever you’ve run?”
“It’s better if you don’t know that, little sister.”
“Don’t you want this to end?”
“Lana, I have to go. I love you, but don’t call me again.”
“Damn it, Shane—” she starts, her voice rising with frustration, but I don’t hear the rest. I hit the end button before she can curse me more.
* * *
“L et’s call it a day,” Kaycia offers when I make it back into the house. She’s studying me closely while Raquel and Max give each other concerned, furtive glances.
“You wanted to practice more,” I remind her, trying to ignore the curious stares.
“I think I just want to set up to paint for a bit, if that’s okay? We can target practice tomorrow.”
“I need to get to the shop for a bit. My boss is going to be unbearable if I don’t get some work done,” Raquel jokes, but her heart isn’t in it.
“Give me a ring if you need me to bring anything else out,” Max adds, standing and gathering his keys and phone from the kitchen counter. “Your exhibit still in a week, Kay?”
“As far as I know. I’m supposed to call the gallery tomorrow to iron out the details since I won’t have the last two pieces I expected. Unless something wild happens”—she looks at me with a worried frown— “everything should be in order.”
“Jamila’s catering gig is slated to do the bar for the event,” Raquel interjects. “So, she and I will both be there for you.”
“I’ll be there too,” Max concludes, giving Kaycia a quick side hug and clapping me on the shoulder. “See y’all soon.”
* * *
“A re you okay?” Kaycia pointedly asks once Max’s truck is out of sight.
“I’m fine.”
“Who was on the phone?”
She’s gathering some of her art supplies into a bag to carry out with a small canvas but stops when I hesitate.
“You jealous?”
“Don’t be a jerk.” She purses her lips in annoyance. “You were already being grumpy after that shit with Max, and when you came back in you were even worse. I know we haven’t been together long, but I can read you, Shane McKinley. You’re upset.”
Blowing out a deep breath, I sit on the leather sofa and cradle my head in my hands while she waits for an explanation. How can I explain pack politics to her so she doesn’t think we’re no better than wild animals?
“It was my sister.”