Free Saint Jude: Los Angeles Bad Boys by Frankie Love Page B

in your bedroom in sweatpants on your computer.”
    “Oh, let me guess, you and Bexley have some amazing plans to go surfing or a jog or to go pick out a dog at the animal shelter.”
    “No, I was just wondering if you want to go out for lunch. Bexley and I were going to swing by Jude’s and see what the hell is up with them. He hasn’t been around much. And then we’re headed down the coast. We got a room at a bed and breakfast.”
    My cheeks burn, and I look back down at my computer screen, avoiding my brother’s gaze.
    “Yeah, thanks for asking, but I’m going to pass.” Twisting my lips, I think on my feet. “Hey, but let’s see if Mom wants to do dinner with us one night this week.”
    “Really? You want to plan a family dinner?”
    “Yeah, if you’re paying.” I smile. This time it’s real.
    It feels good, to be honest with him about something.

    * * *
    L ater , in bed, I think about Jude. Think about him putting his daughter to sleep tonight. Think about what it would be like if I was at his house right now.
    Mid-thought, my phone buzzes. For a stupid second I think it might be him. Maybe he’s thinking about me. Maybe he and Holden got into a weird conversation that mentioned his sex life. Maybe everything is a disaster and I’m in the center of it.
    Instead, I see the text is from Yuri.
    Yuri – I’m in LA. I want to see you.
    Me – that’s not going to happen .
    Yuri – I’m sick of you thinking you can tell me what to do. I’m going to see you, you know you’ve missed me.
    I close my eyes, hating the way Yuri talks to me. Like he owns me. Like he knows me. Like he means something to me besides a bad decision. Lots of bad decisions.
    Me – no. I’m done with you. Told you that plenty of times please stop calling me.
    Yuri – you don’t get to tell me what to do. I know what’s best for you, baby.
    This is the reason I should’ve told people about Yuri a long time ago. I wouldn’t have gotten so deep, wouldn’t have gone to a place I had no business being, in a place I never wanted to go.
    Yuri – I see, you’re going to freeze me out. Not answer my texts. Fine. But I know where you are. I know where you sleep. I know you are living with your brother. Why don’t you introduce us?
    I drop the phone on my bed, my skin crawling, not liking his tone. Knowing that if I’m getting this creeped out via text, it would only get worse if it were in person.
    The phone buzzes again. I want to throw it out the window, but also want to know what it says. So that I can make a decision, a smart one.
    Yuri – I’m coming for you and I’m going to kiss you good night.
    I hear the door to the guesthouse open. My worst nightmare has just stepped inside.

Chapter 15
    O f course I’m disappointed that Catalina left. Obviously she didn’t like running into Cash or Evangeline, and to be honest I don’t blame her. Evie was a complete bitch to her, and Cat did not deserve that.
    Still, it gives me a chance to sort things out in my own head, and the more I think about it, the more I realize I really like Cat. As a woman, as a friend. We had such a great time together, and I hate that I let her go this morning without telling her that.
    Still, I’m not planning on pushing her faster than she wants to go. She wanted to leave today, and I let her. And even though all I can think about is her tight little ass and her perfect pussy, I know that before I can move forward with Cat on any level, there’s some other shit I need to sort out first.
    I decide to call Rachel. It must be my lucky fucking day because, shockingly, she answers.
    “Hey,” she says. I swear she’s slurring her words, but I’m not going to start pointing fingers. Not right now. Right now I just want to make sure she’s safe. “Long time no talk, baby.”
    “Right … that’s mostly because you haven’t returned my calls. Or my texts. Rachel, where are you?”
    “Really, Jude? Are you seriously just calling to give me a bad