“Claudia, I don’t think he needs my help for that. Remember, he’s with our daughter.”
When they got into his Jeep, Gia couldn’t believe how good the visit had been. Was this considered to be a normal family? Who knows? But this is what mine is like.
Roger hated dropping Gia off, but he had a few things to take care of. Mostly, he needed to find out why the heck Brice had pulled the family together. Had he suddenly changed his mind and decided to let them in on the family’s latest disgusting development? Brice might not be the most tactful person, but he’d never invited everyone. Maybe his brothers, but that would be it.
Once again, he got voicemail. He wasn’t leaving him a message as this wasn’t critical. Brice was doing what he needed to, being there for his wife and child. That left Roger with some free time. Might as well see what Caydan wanted me for.
Caydan answered right away. “Figured I’d hear from you.”
“You mean since your wife dragged—”
“Your girlfriend away?” Caydan joked.
“I’m sure that’s not what you wanted to talk about, right?” Roger knew Caydan didn’t like wasting time anymore than he did.
“No. What I really want to know is what the hell my dear brother Brice is up to? And since when are you so chummy with him?” Caydan demanded.
This conversation couldn’t take place over the phone. At least it shouldn’t. They’d been friends for too damn long to not clear the air. “How far are you from my hotel?”
“I’m in the lobby, on my way up.”
I should’ve known.“Door’s open.”
A few minutes later his suite’s door swung open, and Caydan shut it behind him. Then he walked to the bar and poured himself a bourbon. “Want one?”
“I’m good.”
Once Caydan was seated, Roger did the same.
“So tell me what’s going on. And none of this bullshit that there’s nothing. You’ve never been a fan of my family, yet I’ve heard you’ve been seen with Brice a few times.”
“You’re right, and I’m still not a fan. I’m speaking as your friend.” Although he knew the saying, blood was thicker than water, he knew that didn’t always apply.
“Meaning what you tell me, stays here?” Caydan asked. Roger nodded. “Okay. Spill it.”
“Brice asked me to research a photo that his . . . I mean that your father had hidden away.” Roger was never going to get used to calling James Henderson, Caydan’s father. By the look of Caydan’s clenched jaw, neither was Caydan.
“What did you find?”
“Actually, more than I thought I would. The Hendersons have cousins out there.”
“That’s all? I figured there was a ninth child out there.”
Roger laughed. “I’m not saying there isn’t, but that has yet to be determined.”
“So what is the big deal? Cousins. Who cares?”
Roger let out a long exhale. “Has anything ever been that fucking cut and dry with your family?” Caydan shook his head. “All I can say is count your blessings you weren’t raised by that asshole. And you never met your grandmother either. If so we probably wouldn’t be friends now.”
“I know my grandmother was abusive to James. But I can tell there is more.”
Roger spent the next hour telling him everything Gia had uncovered. It was probably harder updating Caydan than it had been telling Brice. Caydan had been through enough, and for once, he’d like to deliver him some good news about his family history. It was one fucked-up family tree no one wanted to be on.
Caydan sat there for a minute afterward as though still trying to process it all. “And Brice doesn’t want us to know, why?”
“As far as I could tell, the Lawson family has no clue as to what a fucking asshole their great-grandfather was. This knowledge getting out would have a ripple effect. It’s bad enough the Hendersons had to suffer for his actions. What good would it be having the Lawsons do so as well?”
“Roger, I love my family, but damn it, sometimes I wish I never knew. The hate I had carried inside, at times, is less painful than the love. Not sure that makes much sense.”