I spent the next two days lying low at Sean’s house out at the lake. And when I couldn’t avoid it any longer, I drove into town to see my sister.

Laurel threw open the door, and despite how we left things when I’d seen her last, she flung herself into my arms. “Logan … I saw the news. What happened?” She tipped her head back to look up at me. “And why haven’t you returned my calls? I was so worried.”

As much as I wanted to be angry at my sister, I couldn’t do it. Especially knowing Jake was here. The man wasn’t a physical threat any longer. Emotionally, I wasn’t sure.

Searching Laurel’s face out of habit for any signs of … whatever, I tucked a curl behind her ear. “I’m fine. I’ve been at Sean’s.”

“I know. I talked to Anna.” She looped her arm through mine. “Come in.”

Silence swelled between us like an overfilled balloon as I held my ground on my side of the imaginary line. He was in there, tainting the air with every breath he took. But then, so was Laurel. For that reason, I crossed the threshold.

Lingering just inside the door, I shifted my feet. “Listen, I’m leaving tomorrow and I wanted—”

“Laurel!” My father’s gravelly voice floated in from the living room, and it was like he reached inside and pulled me into the past. Right back to that trailer with the holes in the walls and the dirty dishes in the sink.

Every instinct told me to run. But I was frozen, my limbs like stone.

Laurel cast a nervous glance over her shoulder. “I’m sorry … Let me see what he needs.”

What he needed was to be gone. Out of this loft. And out of our lives. But my sister didn’t seem to share my views on the matter, and she took off like a shot.

Get your shit together, you little pussy.

It may have been my thought, but it was Jake’s voice in my head. And that was enough to peel my boots from the floor and follow my sister.

Jake inhabited the same spot in front of the TV as the last time. Deep crevices lined his face, and his mouth was slightly agape as he gazed up at Laurel with watery blue eyes.

Smiling, she rubbed his shoulder. “The Price Is Right isn’t on right now, Daddy. How about some music?”

Affection glowed on her face. It was too much for me to take, so I wandered over to the window. My stomach bottomed out when Garth Brooks blasted from the sound system.

Laurel wandered over, brushing her hands on her jeans. “That should keep him busy for a while.” Her smile dimmed when I turned around. “What’s wrong?”

My traitorous gaze shifted to the old man. “This …” I cleared my throat when my voice cracked. “This was Mama’s favorite song.”

Her lips fell into a frown. “I didn’t know that. Sorry.”

“Stop apologizing!”

Laurel’s eyes darted to my fists, clenched at my sides. And in that moment, I knew what she saw. Him. Not the old man in the chair. The younger, lethal version.

Yanking the brochure from my pocket, I held it out for her to take. “This is a home. A facility. They specialize in Alzheimer’s and brain disorders.” Retreating a step, Laurel folded her arms over her stomach like I was holding a venomous snake. Prophetic. I shook the pamphlet. “I’ll pay for it. And whatever else he needs. Just get him out of here.”

Her face contorted in pain. “He needs me, Lo,” she said softly.

“Maybe he should’ve thought about that before he signed you up for foster care.”

Laurel wicked away the moisture on her cheeks, determination stiffening her spine. “That was a long time ago. I’ve forgiven him.”

Didn’t she understand? Forgiveness wasn’t ours to give. Only one person could absolve Jake Cage. Our mother. And she wasn’t talking.

My arm fell to my side. “Well, I haven’t.”

She lifted her chin, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I know.”

My attention drifted to my father, staring at the black screen on the television, his fingers moving in time with the song. Her song. The one my mother used to sing to me every night before bed, about love that went on and on, even if tomorrow never came. It was like she’d known that someday I’d need those words.

I blocked out the haunting melody. “I’ll see you in three months.”

Laurel nodded, resigned, and for a second, she looked so much like our mother, I couldn’t stand it.

Dropping the brochure on the table, I headed for the door before the past swallowed me whole.