Free Make Me Howl by Susan Shay

shouted.
    With a small smile, Jazzy lowered her chin as she focused on Bella. “Stop what?”
    The rigidness had moved from Bella’s stomach to her jaw, making it difficult to speak. “I know how your mind works. I know what you think you want to do.”
    “Do you?” Jazzy lifted an eyebrow.
    “I’ve been through it enough times. I should.” Bella turned onto the street to their apartment.
    “And how are you going to handle it this time?”
    “I’m going to keep you busy tonight. Packing.”
    ****
    Waves of helplessness crashed over Chase as Bella towed Jazzy away from him. Grabbing the back of a chair, he gripped it to keep from running after her. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t have held onto her, wrenched her away from her sister. But the look on Bella’s face was one he’d seldom seen, and when he did, he knew it meant something. He had enough respect for his colleague to let them both go—but later he would ask her what set her tail on fire.
    Shaking his head, he found his way back to the table where his brothers and parents soon gathered. Sam gazed at him for a moment, then asked, “Ready to head home, son?”
    Chase nodded then shrugged. Why go home? Why stay?
    Why did he suddenly feel so empty?
    During the long ride home in the back of the Hummer, he tried to keep his mind off Jazzy.
    The evening was darker than most, even with the moon practically at its fullest. Heavy clouds surrounded it, throwing them into darkness as they drove through the night. Toward home.
    How was it that a place meant to be filled with welcome and warmth, even with his entire family nearby, just looked bleak? Maybe he needed to have a decorator in to give his quarters whatever it was missing—add a fireplace, some quilts.
    He had to stop. He sounded like a girl, whining.
    Maybe Spence could help him hire someone.
    The long weekend stretched before him, and he was stuck in that colorless shell of a house. No, he wouldn’t stay there. He’d head for the lab and do some work, something good, even if only for future generations.
    The thought of work gave him a measure of relief. At least while working, he couldn’t think about Jazzy. The way she’d danced with him had been almost more than he could handle. She’d snuggled into his arms as if she’d found home, her body moving against his as if she belonged exactly there.
    Could they make a go of a relationship? Not a short term one, but one like his parents’ that would last forever? He shoved down the need to laugh. Him, make a relationship work? Not if his past was any indicator.
    But there was something…different about Jazzy. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
    Chase stayed in the car while Sam got out, circling it to open Beatrice’s door. She glanced over her shoulder at her grown sons. “I baked apple dumplings today. Would you boys like to come in for a bite?”
    “We’ll be there in just a moment, Mom,” Spence answered with a nod. He turned to Chase. “All right, big brother. Time for coffee and a cold shower.”

Chapter Four
    Chase glared at Spence. “What are you talking about?”
    “I’m talking about Jazzy.” Spence’s voice was easy, as if he hadn’t heard Chase’s tone. “Yeah, she was nice. Yeah, she could have been some fun. But she’s gone now, and you have a life to live.”
    “It’s not as if she lives on another planet. I’ll see her again.”
    Light jabbed Chase’s eyes as Spence opened his door. “Then stop acting like she’s gone forever and come on.”
    Getting out of the car, Chase walked shoulder to shoulder with his brother until the idiot again opened his mouth. “Besides, I have a feeling Jazzy’s a wild one.”
    Knowing their mother was nearby, Chase couldn’t bloody his brother. At least not immediately. “Why would you say a thing like that?”
    “Didn’t you see the way the men all wanted to dance with her?” Spence shrugged as he opened the front door. “She had some kind of vibes going out, and