Chapter 5: You Came Back

Jocelyn The first thing Rook handed me was a packet of sour cherry candies. The second was a reason to wish I’d stayed in Chicago. I had barely returned to my table after speaking with Brian when the packet appeared beside my untouched plate. I recognized the red wrapper immediately. I hadn’t seen that particular brand in years, although I used to buy it by the handful at the convenience store down the road from the clubhouse. I was still trying to decide what to make of Brian’s answer. He’d denied killing Luke for a patch, not having a hand in Luke’s death. I’d noticed the distinction. I’d also noticed how tired he’d looked, and I resented that it mattered. “You still like those,” Rook said. It wasn’t a question. I looked up at him. He was taller than I remembered, with close-cut dark hair, pale gray-blue eyes, and knuckles that looked as though they’d met more than their share of walls. His leather cut carried the SERGEANT-AT-ARMS patch. He stood quietly, watching me examine the candy. “I can’t believe they still make these.” I turned the packet over. “Where’d you find them?” “Gas station on the highway.” “Thank you.” I smiled. “You remembered.” “You always wanted the cherry ones. Tag bought you grape because he said they tasted the same.” “They absolutely did not.” “I know.” The smallest hint of a smile crossed his face. For a moment, I remembered the boy who rarely spoke during the others’ arguments but noticed when somebody was upset. Once, after Valerie made a comment about how much dessert I’d eaten, he’d slipped a candy packet into my coat pocket without saying a word. I’d appreciated his kindness then. I appreciated the gesture now. “You came back,” he said. His expression hadn’t changed, but something about the way he said it made my smile fade. There was no surprise in his voice. He sounded as though I’d finally done something we’d agreed upon years ago. Rook had never flirted with me the way Tag flirted with everyone, or teased me the way Brian had. Yet he seemed more invested in my return than either of them. I couldn’t tell what he thought it meant. “For Luke’s funeral,” I said. “I know why you’re here.” “Then you also know I’m not here for very long.” His eyes moved past me to where Brian stood speaking with Ditch. “That can change.” I’d just told Brian it might. Hearing the same thought from Rook was less comforting. “Maybe,” I said. “I haven’t decided.” He pulled out the chair opposite mine and sat without asking. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have cared. We’d practically grown up around the same clubhouse tables. But he hadn’t once looked away from me, and I was suddenly aware of how little I knew about the man he’d become. “How have you been?” I asked. “Here.” “I gathered that.” I tried a small laugh. “What about work? Life? Anything exciting happen while I was gone?” “Boss made changes. Things are better now.” “Better how?” “Luke isn’t running things.” He said it so matter-of-factly that I set down the candy. There was no grief in his tone, but Rook had never been particularly expressive. I’d learned long ago not to mistake his silence for agreement or his calm for indifference. “I take it you weren’t happy with Luke,” I said. “Nobody was happy with Luke near the end.” Rook had been there when Brian replaced Steve. “Did people object when Brian became vice president?” “People object to everything.” “That isn’t an answer.” “It’s the one I’ve got.” I wanted to ask what he meant. Instead, I watched him glance at Brian again. I’d just promised to look into Luke’s death, and here was someone who’d worked under him, apparently willing to talk. But questioning Rook in the middle of the reception, with Dad a few tables away, felt wrong. “Is that why you came over?” I asked. “To tell me things are better?” “No.” He leaned forward slightly. “I wanted to know where you’re staying.” I frowned. “Why?” “So I know where to get you tomorrow.” “Get me for what?” “Clubhouse. Everybody will be there. I told Valerie I’d bring you.” The assumption caught me off guard. “You made plans for me without asking?” “We’re having dinner.” “That doesn’t mean I’m coming.” He looked genuinely confused. “You used to.” “Eight years ago. Tomorrow I want to spend time with Dad.” “Your dad can come.” “Rook.” I kept my voice even. “It’s kind of you to think of me, but I’m not making plans tonight. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make them for me.” He sat back. For several seconds he studied me, as though there were a reasonable explanation I hadn’t offered yet. “You don’t have to ask permission,” he said. “That’s not the problem.” “Valerie wants us together.” There it was. Not what he wanted, or what I wanted. What Valerie wanted. I remembered seeing him respond to her during the funeral, how attentive he’d become when she touched his face. I wondered whether he even realized he’d explained himself. “Valerie can invite me herself,” I said. “I’ll decide whether I can make it.” A shadow crossed his expression. “She looked after us.” “I know she did.” “She always said we’d have each other.” I softened my voice. “I remember. But we’re adults now. We’re allowed to have separate lives.” He didn’t answer. His gaze shifted to my shoulder, and when I turned, Valerie was approaching, a tissue in one hand and an immaculate smile on her face. “There you are.” She rested her fingers against Rook’s neck. He went still beneath her touch. “I was wondering where you’d disappeared to.” “Talking to Jocelyn,” he said. “So I see.” Valerie glanced at the candy on the table. “How thoughtful. You always were the sweetest about remembering little things.” She looked at me. “I hope you’re not giving him a hard time. He’s only trying to make you feel welcome.” “I thanked him for the candy,” I said. “I also told him I wasn’t making dinner plans.” “Of course. You have your flight home to think about.” Her hand remained on Rook’s neck. “Come along, sweetheart. Ditch needs help with the cars.” Rook rose, but before following her, he looked down at me again. “You told Boss you might stay,” he said. Valerie’s fingers stopped moving. I stared at him. Brian and I had spoken in a quiet hallway, away from the reception. I hadn’t told Tag, Dad, or anyone else that I was reconsidering my return flight. Rook had been listening. And judging by the look Valerie gave me, I wasn’t the only one who’d just learned something.