Turn on a Dime - Blane's Turn (34 page)

They’d never spoken about it, but maybe that had been a mistake.

“I know I may get hurt,” Blane said quietly. “I may die. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”

“Then why?” Kade cried. “Why would you do this to me?”

Blane stood, frowning as he walked over to Kade. “I’m not doing this
to
you,” he said. “I’m doing this
for
you. I want you to know there’s more to life than just living for yourself. And some things are worth dying for.”

“I’d die for you,” Kade said baldly.

Blane’s smile was a little sad. “I’d rather you didn’t. You’ve paid your dues to life.”

Kade looked away, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He blinked rapidly a few times and cleared his throat.

“Well, you know I’m going to drive the Jag while you’re gone,” he said flippantly.

“The hell you will!” Blane retorted in mock anger. “You even touch it, I’m gonna know.”

Kade snorted. “Bullshit. And don’t think I don’t know how to get into the liquor cabinet either. I’m going to throw so many wild fucking parties, you’ll be on a plane back here before dust even coats your sunglasses.”

Blane chuckled. “Just try not to get arrested or break too many hearts, okay?”

“I’m too good to get arrested, but I can’t make any promises on the second one,” Kade said with a shit-eating grin. “I’m pretty hot, you know.”

This time Blane laughed outright. “And modest, I see,” he teased.

Kade shrugged.

It got quiet then. It was time and both of them knew it.

Blane reached out first, because he knew Kade wouldn’t, and wrapped him in a bear hug. Tears threatened, but he held them back. He had to be strong for Kade.

Displays of affection weren’t Kade’s thing, and he still didn’t like to be touched when he wasn’t expecting it, but his grip was tight on Blane.

Finally, they parted.

“You coming with us to the airport?” Blane asked. “Gerard is taking me.”

Kade shook his head, not quite meeting Blane’s eyes as he said, “Nah. Got homework to do.”

Sure he did. School had always been child’s play for Kade and it was rare when he had to finish his homework at home. But Blane let it slide.

“Okay.”

“I’ll, uh, I’ll write you,” Kade said, which surprised Blane.

“I’d like that,” he said.

Kade glanced up at him, though by now they were nearing the same height. His eyes were startlingly blue behind the fringe of jet black lashes.

“You know, right?” Kade said. “I mean, you know.” His ears reddened and he looked away again. “You know I love you, right.”

Blane’s throat closed and he couldn’t speak. He could count on one hand the number of times Kade had said that particular phrase to him.

“So, you know, don’t get shot, or anything,” Kade continued. “Or I’ll be really fucking pissed.”

“You got it,” Blane managed, grabbing him for another hug. “I love you, too, brother.”

He left while they both were still coherent and in control. Another few moments and he’d have broken down and cried like a little girl to be leaving his brother behind.

Mona met him downstairs, took one look at his face, and took his hand in hers.

“We’ll take good care of him,” she said.

“I know,” Blane replied. “I’ll be back. I promise.” Grabbing his duffel, he headed out the door to the waiting car.

Kade watched from the upstairs window as Blane put his stuff in the trunk. Before he got in, he looked up and saw Kade. He raised a hand in farewell before disappearing inside the car.

Mona suddenly appeared at Kade’s side. He’d shot up in the past couple of years and now was taller than she. Kade glanced down at her. She was crying, her gaze glued on the car retreating down the drive.

Kade wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she rested her head against him. His eyes were dry now. Blane had given him so much, now it was Kade’s turn to give back. It was his turn to be strong, for Mona and Gerard, who loved Blane and would worry. His turn to lie awake nights, wondering where his brother was, and if he was safe. And when Blane returned, Kade would be here waiting for him.

They had each other, and that would never change.

Read the entire Kathleen Turner Series!

No Turning Back

Turn to Me

Turning Point

Out of Turn

Point of No Return (coming in 2014)

Find Extras and Outtakes on Tiffany’s website –
http://www.Tiffany-Snow.com
!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tiffany Snow has been reading romance novels since she was too young to read romance novels. After fifteen years working in the Information Technology field, she now holds her dream job of writing full time.

Tiffany makes her home in the Midwest with her husband and two daughters. She can be reached at [email protected] Visit her at her website, www.Tiffany-Snow.com, to keep up with the latest in
The Kathleen Turner Series
.

Table of Contents

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR