Page 22 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Chase

A week later, I still hadn’t been able to shake the memories of the previous weekend. The way Anna had flinched and retreated after my teasing comment. The way she tensed as if waiting for a storm. And later, the way she froze when she saw her parents, sad yet determined not to apologize.

It nearly broke me, knowing how much she’d survived. How much she still carried, and maybe always would to some degree.

And yet, she was still kind. Still the generous person who showed up every day ready to take care of others. That alone nearly wrecked me.

I was so fucking proud of her, though. This week, I saw her seem to reclaim something, some part of herself. She teased the guys at lunch. Walked with her head held a little higher. Laughed more freely.

And God, it made me happy. Not just because I loved seeing her that way, but because she was letting it happen. No more hiding. No more fear of what others said.

But mostly, I couldn’t forget the kiss we shared. It wasn’t our first kiss. Hell, it wasn’t even the first time I’d kissed her since she’d been back.

But it was different. It had cracked open something between us. Something that allowed for the truth she’d been trying to hide away from—that we were still meant to be.

It opened the way for small touches when we saw each other, heated glimpses that made her blush.

It had been more than just a kiss. It was a beginning.

And I couldn’t wait to keep the promise I’d made to her.

But first, work called.

The sky was clear, but the air was thick with humidity. It was still early in the summer, but it felt like we were well into it.

Jordan came every morning now that school was out.

I needed to ask Reid how close Jordan was to working off what he owed, but truthfully, I wanted him to keep coming, at least as long as he wanted to.

He was surprisingly a good worker. He picked up fast on what to do, and he was nothing close to the sullen boy who’d started here weeks ago.

He’d also put on some much-needed weight, although Anna still worried he was too thin and insisted he have breakfast before he started his day.

Jordan didn’t argue, and that told me enough.

Either he didn’t get fed at his relative’s house, or he needed more.

Either way, I was happy to agree with her.

I spotted him coming up the path to the house, moving slower than usual. Jack whimpered at the door, eager to run out and greet his new friend. With a smile, I let him out, appreciating Anna’s laughter as Jack danced in circles around Jordan’s feet.

Usually, Jordan would drop to the ground and pet the dog.

It was the only time we ever heard him laugh as Jack attacked Jordan’s face with sloppy kisses, careful not to step on him.

Today, however, Jordan simply gave Jack a quick scratch on the head and stomped up the porch, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Something was off.

His posture was stiff, and his long sleeves were rolled down.

I frowned. It was too hot for that.

“Morning,” I called as he got closer.

“Morning.” His voice was clipped, sounding more like the rebellious teen I’d first met.

I felt Anna step up beside me, a fresh cup of coffee in her hands. Her eyes narrowed over the mug as she took in Jordan.

“Jordan, honey, aren’t you burning up in that shirt?”

He shrugged, avoiding her eyes. “I’m fine.”

Anna lifted an eyebrow, but didn’t push. She kept her voice light as she told him, “Suit yourself. Simple breakfast today. Just scrambled eggs and sausage.”

“’K.”

Jordan slipped past us and into the kitchen, heading straight for what had become his usual spot at the kitchen table. His movement seemed a little stiff, but what made me look twice was when the cuff of his shirt rose just high enough to see the edge of a bruise above his wrist.

Anna’s breath hitched beside me. I sat down beside him, forcing myself to stay calm, although the sight of that bruise had me wanting to demand answers.

Anna gave me a subtle shake of her head before quietly pulling the chair out across from Jordan and sitting. Her movements were calm and deliberate.

“You sleep okay last night?” she asked casually .

Jordan slowly pushed the eggs around on his plate, raising my concern. “Yeah,” he mumbled.

Anna tilted her head slightly. “You look a little sore, sweetheart. Everything all right?”

Jordan didn’t respond, which was enough for me. I was going to call Reid as soon as Jordan was out of earshot. I wanted answers, especially if the bruise was what I thought it was—a handprint where someone had grabbed him hard.

Anna slid the saltshaker a few inches away from Jordan’s plate, not close enough that she touched him, but enough to show she was there, ready to reach him if he wanted.

“We’re not trying to pry,” she said, her voice low but with strength behind it. “But if there’s anything you ever want to tell us, anything at all, you can. We’re not angry. You’re safe here. I promise.”

I recognized her words. I’d said similar ones to her not so long ago. Now, she offered that same promise to him.

Her gaze didn’t waver. “We all have things that make us feel overwhelmed sometimes. Remember last weekend? When we were making the potpie?”

His fork paused. He didn’t look up, but she’d caught his attention.

“Chase made a joke. It was harmless. Funny, even. But it hit a nerve, based on…on something that happened to me before. You saw me break down.” She glanced across the table at me and gave me a wry smile. “You were both so good about it. Chase comforted me, and you didn’t make a big deal of it.”

Jordan finally glanced up.

“I said nothing then,” Anna continued, “because I was embarrassed. I felt stupid for my reaction.” She folded her hands on the table. “So I get it. If something is going on and you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay. But if you do, this is a safe space.”

Jordan’s jaw twitched, a tiny crack in his armor.

His eyes blinked a little more rapidly. He still didn’t say anything, but he gave a quick nod of his head, and finally, he took a bite to eat.

He wasn’t ready to share. But at least he knew where we stood.

Before he left, Jordan gave Jack a big hug, burying his face in his soft fur. “I’ll play with you later, buddy,” he promised.

Jack wagged his tail like he understood every word and nuzzled his head into Jack’s neck as if he understood the boy’s need for an affectionate touch.

I could tell Anna had to fight not to hug the boy herself—her arms had tensed like she might reach out to him—but she must have understood he needed the time to himself.

Anna had pushed a jug of iced water and told him to be sure to hydrate.

I knew I’d be joining him where I could keep an eye on him.

A big landscaping site wanted several mature trees fast. It was a last-minute order, more than we had ready.

It meant extra work, but I didn’t mind. It was worth the extra trouble, literally, and I thought Jordan might enjoy seeing the process we used to dig up large trees.

It never grew old to watch the tree spade in action. Four sharp blades surrounded the trunk, dug deep into the ground, and lifted the root ball out cleanly. Jordan could help wrap the roots in burlap and get them ready for transport. Honest work, but nothing overly taxing .

Behind me, Anna closed the dishwasher and wiped her hands on a towel. “Are you going to call Reid?”

“You bet your ass I am,” I answered, sharper than I meant to. I raked my hand through my hair and softened my tone. “You don’t get that kind of bruise from sports or roughhousing. Someone grabbed him and grabbed him hard. God only knows what else is under that shirt.”

She nodded, but her eyes dimmed.

A thought hit me with the force of a speeding car. “Did Mason ever hurt you that way?” I asked, dreading the answer.

She looked out the window, staring at something, or nothing, except maybe a memory. “He didn’t usually touch me, but sometimes, he…he’d grab my arm and twist if he didn’t think I was paying attention.”

My fists clenched at my sides.

“Sonofabitch,” I muttered, dropping my head. “I wish I’d decked him when I had the chance. Give him a taste of his own medicine. Hell, I wish I’d?—”

“No,” she interrupted, placing her hand on my arm. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through everything. “No, you don’t,” she scolded softly, but with authority. “Because you’re not like him, Chase Allen.

“But he hurt you.”

“I know,” she said, her voice somehow still steady while I felt shaky.

“And I understand your anger. I feel it for Jordan, like I know you do. I know your words come from a place of wanting to protect rather than hurt or control. But don’t let Mason have any more power.

He’s gone. I’m not. You’re not. Let’s focus on us, okay? ”

I let her words settle as I blew out a long breath.

She was right. If she could let go of the anger, the least I could do was follow her example .

“Okay,” I said. “ Us. I like that.”

She leaned up to give me a kiss. “Me, too. Now, call Reid before I have to head to the bunkhouse.”

Her kiss was too quick, so I pulled her back for a more satisfying one. Then I pulled my phone from my back pocket and hit Reid’s number. He picked up after two rings.

“Chase,” he greeted. “What’s up?”

“I’ve got a question,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual. “How do you think Jordan’s doing? I mean, is he close to working off what he owes?”

“I’d say pretty close. Why? Is he giving you trouble? Do you need me to talk to him?”

“No. He’s been good. Works hard. I wouldn’t mind keeping him on, actually.”

“That so?” Reid sounded surprised. “That’s good to hear. Before school let out, his teachers commented to his social worker on a routine visit that he seemed a little more focused than he had been, but his grades were barely passing. Maybe he’s just not much of a student. I can relate to that.”

I hesitated. “I think it might be more complicated than that.” I went on to tell him about the bruise we saw.

Reid was silent for a beat. “You think someone’s hurting him.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“I don’t know what else to think. My gut says yes. He always seems hungry. Anna has taken him under her wing and finds any excuse to feed him. Even sends him home with food.”

There was another pause. “I’ll look into it,” Reid said finally, his voice low. “Thanks for letting me know.”

“He’s a good kid, Reid. He misses his mom, but my spidey sense says it’s more than that.”

We hung up. I knew Reid would keep his promise. Unlike Jordan, I had people I trusted, something I wasn’t sure Jordan had. Until now. Whether or not he knew it, he had me.