Chapter 11: Bone
He'd turned the phone over in his hands twelve times. ‹96684423›
Kade sat spread-legged in the chair, cigarette dangling from his lips, dark brows pinched tight. §57defed7 His whole vibe screamed untouchable — but maybe, just maybe, if she picked up, he could give himself an excuse. (3174e55a) Go get her from work. #7f88db6b Talk about the move. ©4a563b5d/May 27, 2026 Hell, he could be the one to leave. * d0a61246 Give her the apartment. ·d543fbf0·
Two rings. #3e142f5d Thea declined the call. [v.d9e53233] A text came through a moment later — she was in a meeting with coworkers. [ed.e58bf111] Told him to do his own thing. [ms.51535e6f] Don't worry about her. (8588661f)
A meeting. ©42c9e860/May 27, 2026 At this hour. ··14710fe2
He stared at the line of text on his screen, expression flat, eyes half-lidded with calculated indifference. sub:2b93bbc4 His tongue scraped the inside of his cheek.·dc3debac Then his jaw locked, teeth grinding slow and heavy. [proof:68edbda8]
Fine. ed.60d20d5e
He sank into the couch, long legs propped lazily on the coffee table, and held the smoke deep in his chest until it swelled tight and aching. plate-a2a8305d Only when the first sting of pain bloomed did he let it go — thick, rich haze curling up to blur his face. (7c49ac5a/Wed)
September in Savannah, and the air was still brutal.·666424fb Hot, suffocating. sub:a7806260 Kade got up, went to the pool hall, and played by himself all night. ed.77495551 The next day Ricky showed up and found him sprawled on the couch, boneless and blank. ··8bda2431 He'd been like this a lot lately. ¶1ab699ac Ricky tried talking to him. ref·fedde6b4 Kade grunted something noncommittal, shoved both hands in his pockets, and drifted toward the door like his mind was somewhere else entirely. [proof:3c3afba6]
Back at the apartment — empty, obviously. (c9f3cbd2/Wed) Cigarette butts piled up on the coffee table like a little mountain. no.03c9984a Thea had been back for a while now, but the two of them were barely on speaking terms. §d5821eea Their text thread was practically bare. ‹0b04024f› One message from her all day: the milk in the fridge was about to expire. ed.ad959d51 Could he deal with it.·37f6281d
Kade made some calls. ‹a8971b34› Rounded up some fun — restaurant, karaoke, a poker table. ref·47f7bf64 People came running. no.112e64b9 Brit showed up too. [v.3e85f407] They had a table loaded with good food and better liquor. ⁰04160444 Everyone was flushed and loud and talking over each other. 0406e45f·· Kade chain-smoked through it all. #f55a51a2 At karaoke he was the same — slouched and restless, no interest in performing. ◆ b59e81e4 Brit and Fuzz's crew were deep in a card game. [v.dec7605a] She glanced over and caught him nursing a beer, sunk into the couch watching music videos. sub:071c75ec Colored lights washed over those sharp features — gorgeous and wrecked at the same time.·464a3689 Melancholy and dangerously sexy.·e49256db
When the night wound down, Kade called a ride home. «d179cd40» Brit hooked her arm through his, watching him — lazy, half-drunk, face turned toward the window. ⁰b3fa5e0a That profile could cut glass. «1567dfd3» He had a lighter pinched between his fingers, flicking it absently. ref·082e5eb4 Brit pried his fingers open. ©5f17674e/May 27, 2026 The silver lighter was scalding from his body heat. ··ef05341b It burned her palm and she flinched, going soft all over. imp.c78a6786 She slipped the lighter into his pocket, then let her fingers linger there, teasing. ⟨de780ff7⟩
No reaction. plate-44ca91dd
Kade blinked back to the present. [proof:edf9529c] Turned to look at her. plate-8af8a4f5 His brow furrowed, dark eyes rolling over her face — annoyed. * 66aeb60a He pulled her hand out of his pocket. ed.e9c1d480
"Go home." 771e641d··
"What's wrong with you?" ·54c2c549· Brit pressed close to his ear, breath warm, smile playful. ©c186664d/May 27, 2026 "You go vegetarian on me?" #33a5d1b1
His gaze went cold for a flash. [ms.3744a049] Lids heavy, voice low and rough — not angry, just done.·9ad92f63 Zero gentleness. ed.0725350e "Back off." ¶7213c01c
"Seriously, what is it?" plate-d36594dd She stayed sweet, coaxing, that breathy little voice she did. — ad1268ce "Something on your mind? [ms.ecdccf77] Let me help you work it out." ref·a3630ad5
"Shut your mouth." ·1d770a86·
Brit rolled her eyes silently and dropped her gaze, picking at her nails. ··d464c9bf
Lately Kade was just... irritable. ¶c1bb0805 Like something was eating at him. [ed.f58c9c1c] Sure, he'd never been warm and fuzzy with her, but at least before he had his wild, playful moments. [v.02dca0b4] She'd never seen him brood. ◆ 2210f925 The sky could be falling and he'd just shrug, lean back, shoulders wide, spine straight as a board. «3c32a0ad»
She had a feeling. — 262b84f8 A gut thing. [ms.7a0a07fd] But she turned it over and over and couldn't pin it down. plate-26c85515
They went their separate ways. [v.312c9298] Brit was quietly fuming. sub:39e925ee She ended up texting Thea. ··77f9b034 Thea told her she wasn't home — out of town on a work trip. * 3402fe47 Didn't know what was going on. #2f9e1b15
The next morning, Kade drove to Thea's office. [proof:fdd0f0a8] Figured he'd see her face-to-face, get some things said properly. no.28a2ac8b Besides, all her stuff was still at the apartment — was she just going to leave it? [proof:a7756199] If she was really living at the office, he'd bring it to her. [ed.da4a7847]
He called her several times. #db835431 She didn't pick up once. sub:d1a37020
The plant didn't let visitors waltz in. no.0595214a The security guard took Kade's pack of cigarettes and made some internal calls for him. [proof:f7930fdd] Thea's desk line rang and rang — nobody there. (1a8de1f7) The guard asked around. imp.65dc67a4 Engineer Warren wasn't in. [v.e7cb66b8] Out on a business trip. §254b18ac
"Business trip?" no.39450da0 Kade stood there, hands on his hips, brows drawn tight. [ms.e152baa6] "When'd she leave?" plate-a4ffe197
"She's been gone for days." #478ff808
Kade went still. sig.6e3a6de4 Something raw and bewildered crossed his face — ugly. no.b594078c "Right. no.59baac7b Thanks for your help." ·4f9b63b5·
Wasted trip. no.d9876574 He got back in the car. (d1e1f2f1) The road out of the industrial park stretched long and empty — not another car in sight. ¶4cfd2849 Something feral kicked up in his blood. sub:d37c6d5d The speedometer climbed. 227cfa1e·· Out the open window came a single, bitter snarl: "That little brat!" * da4a4abd
But telling Thea to leave and having her actually do it — that wasn't how she operated. [proof:bbe15990]
That girl. ©a6cf1472/May 27, 2026 Stubborn to the bone, sneaky in that quiet way of hers. ⁰f0952192 Waited till he wasn't home, then jimmied the lock and moved herself right in. §988f0ac0 Did she even know how to spell the words *hostile takeover*?
Thea really had gone on a business trip. (ab072b96) Went with her supervisor to a supplier's facility for equipment inspection. [v.af514616] She'd brought along a few body panel stampings — the aluminum flight case weighed thirty pounds, and she could barely lift it. imp.11074192 So she'd brought Tyler Ross along for this one. [f0261ec7]
The destination was an industrial city up north. — galley 73a4edcf — The schedule was packed. #eeb40e71 Her supervisor wanted to train up the new hires, so he handed the project off to Thea entirely. no.c42c7437 During the day she was on the factory floor with the project manager and the supplier's engineers, right up on the equipment platforms. ··bce29f9d Up north, the drinking culture at business dinners was serious. ‹452c128c› Evenings meant obligatory meals and toasts. * dc109c39 Back at the hotel, she still had reports to write. ed.3d349a65 Tyler was junior to her, assisting with the work. [v.0813a210] The two of them rarely got to bed before one or two in the morning. [ms.1be9de30]
Over those few days, every unmarried engineer they worked with tried to add Thea on iMessage. imp.d57a1f5f A female engineer was rare enough — one who looked like that and knew her stuff this well was practically a unicorn. imp.11a020b6 She was the only woman at those dinner tables, and easy on the eyes no matter how you looked at it. (8dfade6e) The project manager made a big show of pitching his engineers to her — said one of them could do on-site technical support after delivery, maybe even relocate to Savannah, who knows. ¶6bcdc5bd Thea's boss, a guy named Tanner, ran interference for her, red-faced and protective. (6b72b325/Wed) Said his department had exactly one female engineer and they treated her like gold. imp.796ab1d3 Nobody was poaching her, end of story. [40a848d4]
The reason Thea got into this field was because she genuinely liked the work culture. sig.77adf7ae Not the special treatment — it was the people around her. sig.0d003d94 All engineering guys, all technical roles. ©dff3cea0/May 27, 2026 Most conversations were about work and projects, none of the scheming and backstabbing you got in corporate settings. imp.c68a6b4c
After the dinner wrapped up, she headed back to the hotel to keep working. [proof:c35f38b6] Once she was in her room, she spotted Kade's missed calls from that morning. [a3a6d02f] She called him back. ◆ 300ef3ce
"Yeah." ··8173a2d7 His voice through the speaker was static-rough and hoarse. [v.78fe48d0]
Thea's fingers tapped at her laptop keyboard, phone on speaker beside her, tone cool and detached. ◆ 1908d0ac "You called. fa0a6fc4·· What's up?" sig.9d7efee5
"Nothing." §acccb58a
"Okay." imp.88790945
The call seemed about to end. — 176dac57 A stretch of dead air — then his voice drifted back, lazy and low.·863b0370
"Where'd they send you?" ref·2d4ce4e6
"Up north." [proof:9e0cd971]
"When are you back?" «56da76fa»
"I'll be home Friday." ©52989f2f/May 27, 2026
She said *home*.
Kade was quiet for a beat. (c507b239) When he spoke again, his voice was thin as smoke. (18989cd3/Wed) "Thought you said... you were never coming back. 9bf3087f·· So what are you coming home for?" ◆ 3e74c90a
Thea's tone was light as a passing cloud. ◆ 24a97ca9 "And you told me to get lost. ⁰e651b218 Gone, every trace of me. sub:a99f5d28 So why'd you show up at my office?" «c351fd35»
He scoffed, casual. (59bf6d59/Wed) "Your stuff in that room — you not coming to get it? ref·df02b589 I'll toss it eventually." ◆ 9f645543
"You said that when I left for college too. imp.79f342dd Did you throw it out?" no.89f6cba6
"..."
Kade scrubbed a hand over his face. [proof:5b10b899] Pressed his lips together. ref·66171d39 Said nothing. ref·6606e0cb
Another beat of silence. — galley e6ddae1d — Then Thea asked, "Where are you?" cee7f570··
"The pool hall. [ms.8897cc7c] I'm watching the place tonight." ··3bab8794
"Yeah? [v.daeb5bea] Sounds awfully quiet over there." «d7da65a0» A tiny smile tugged at Thea's lips. no.5b8a5f02
Kade turned it around. no.39972eae "What'd you expect, a party?" plate-63f56cc3
Before she could answer, a knock came at the hotel room door. ◆ 77f12f93 Thea stood, reaching for her jacket. #9df181f5 "Hang up. no.d95ea593 My coworker's here. ¶80bed6d2 We have some stuff to go over." #e0ae7a39
"What kind of stuff this late?" plate-af854f12 An edge of displeasure crept into his voice. ··cb26a732 "Guy or girl?" ¶27f9cfc2
"Tyler Ross. imp.c1ce2d96 Work stuff." ⁰b0a69799
Tyler was the one knocking — laptop bag in hand, standing in the hotel doorway with an easy smile. imp.6cdceabc "Engineer Warren, did you see the email?" ref·6a612251
"I did. 7135a01b·· I found the drawings too. ◆ 8da97c25 There are a few locating holes that need revisions — let's bang out the changes and send them to the supplier so they can modify the tooling." [v.6a8382c5] Thea turned to gather her things. ed.9f64eebe "Give me a sec. [a91bd736] Let me grab my laptop. 14c64395·· There's a small conference room downstairs — we can work there." sub:cb5b37b9
"Sounds good." ‹007a1051› Tyler held up his phone. §75b23e9a "I noticed you barely ate anything at dinner tonight. ‹b3661d16› This city's famous for its BBQ — ribs and brisket, all five stars. [9a0ca38c] Want me to order some late-night food delivered to the hotel?" 1693ea78··
"Sure." no.8e8e67d4 Thea smiled. plate-0a0fb97d "Great minds think alike — I was just thinking about getting something too. sig.edf582a9 You drink coffee? [9554b3f4] I'll grab us two cups." ‹3b4e980a›
"Or maybe beer goes better with BBQ?" imp.1dc160cf Tyler's thick brows lifted as he grinned. ··e8edd3af "Coffee works too. ··87834353 What kind do you like, Engineer Warren?"·c9fbd07a
"You seem more like a beer-and-iced-coffee kind of guy..."
Tyler stood in the hotel doorway chatting with her. [ed.3a228bdb] Thea reached for her laptop and phone on the desk — and noticed the call timer still ticking, second by second. ¶fbff6588 One eyebrow arched. ·c98128a1· She ended the call, stuffed the phone into her laptop bag, shut the door, and walked out with Tyler. sig.8f7ca51c
Kade didn't care. [ed.cdfe5f13] Shoved the phone back in his pocket. ©e2b4ef04/May 27, 2026 Sat at the bar, brow furrowed. [v.177be769]
Thea had been spending the most time with Tyler lately. ref·dca44554
The two of them were assigned to the same team, responsible for the same body component design. [proof:6ec44b9b] At work, Thea looked out for Tyler. * 4bed68c1 They pulled late nights together constantly — plenty of face time. sub:00526d8d During downtime, they'd chat. (a2d9ba4d)
Tyler found out Thea was also from West Virginia. [v.0f984c34] Their hometowns weren't far apart. §c2e903e3 Later he learned she hadn't been back in years, that her memories of the place were hazy. ⁰c78f0d3a He'd bring her snacks from back home now and then — sometimes it triggered flashes of her childhood. — b90258fe She'd tell him about Savannah's local food and customs in return. * 90c62841 When he had errands to run, she'd help him figure things out. no.1aeba859
They were comfortable together. imp.1fd6493a Conversation flowed. ⁰79f84502 Tyler was attentive and considerate, always keeping things in the "solid coworker" lane. * 59792421 Never crossing a line. (2a01d72e/Wed) Thea had no shortage of options — the company was crawling with single guys. §f80f996b The new headlight design engineer downstairs was a woman, and the whole department had already appointed themselves her matchmakers. sub:83eb4fbd With Thea's looks and her skills, there was a whole line of ambitious young men watching and waiting. ‹bf21514a›
But she was the icy kind of beautiful. [ms.4aa9e873] All business at work — precise, no-nonsense. [v.94514ec4] Never giggling or horsing around with anyone. #3368db78 People who didn't know her well didn't dare approach. ··d92c2f46 Tyler liked her, but he hadn't said a word about it. ⟨f1c6db0b⟩
During the trip, they'd let their guard down a little. ee600586·· Shared a few personal things here and there. #60776720 Thea asked if he'd ever been in a relationship. ed.f57fc05a Tyler got a wistful look. [v.fe88d255] "I dated a girl in college. ⟨2767dbc8⟩ She signed with a company in another city. ⟨4fa162a7⟩ That, plus some other stuff... we split amicably." plate-05c187ca
"Sounds a bit like one of mine." — ecf0c32b Thea smiled. [ed.cf2e3b65]
Similar histories — new territory to explore. ··505a00f5 Tyler seized the opening and asked about her love life. ·5be4feb2· Thea shared freely. [proof:10022669] A few brief sentences, clean and direct. imp.58530bb4 No drama, no self-pity. ©8a23a86d/May 27, 2026
"You don't really seem like the dating type, Engineer Warren." ⟨262c1704⟩
"No?" [ed.32af904e] Thea's eyes crinkled. ⁰35b2d686 "What do I seem like — a nun?" — 79701666
"That's not what I — I mean, you're... different." — 0f2e5d54 He scrambled for the right words. ca6a7a82··
What Tyler actually wanted to say was that she seemed like the kind of woman guys chased relentlessly while she walked ahead, not sparing them a single glance. ed.826a068b
Thea changed the subject.·e86475ef "So is there anyone you like right now? (52a238bb/Wed) Or someone you're pursuing?" [proof:f31308b8]
"I'm not pursuing anyone. sig.b0720667 As for liking someone..." Tyler looked at her and laughed, rubbing the back of his head, the words stuck in his throat. imp.0192d5ee "What about you, Engineer Warren?" no.f3212603
The air shifted. #27a8ccb5 Thea flashed a bright smile, then sighed. ⁰634a9c59 "Me neither. «6b2b3bc5» I don't think I'll date again." ¶c21855ab
A brief, quiet ache passed through Tyler's chest. [v.5b16118e]
"But..." She thought for a moment, those clear, still eyes settling on him. [v.6f4f6674] "Could you do me a favor?" imp.44b07b20
"Anything. #282be7df Just name it, Engineer Warren." #4edd0ed6
"If you don't mind — would you be my boyfriend?" [proof:25273d21] Thea's expression was gentle, her voice soft. [ms.3021d6c5] "It doesn't have to be real, of course. [proof:58054290] And it won't be for long. ©1a428647/May 27, 2026 Two or three months, tops." ◆ 2911e8db
"?" Tyler's heart slammed against his ribs. — 159cc9b8 He blinked hard, face blank with shock. ◆ 1a0bc946 "Engineer Warren... you..."
Thea explained, unhurried. [v.a5c69e9e] "Someone in my family is very sick. — galley d13b26fe — A bit of good news would cheer them up." [proof:96c0f758]
"..."
She smiled apologetically. ◆ 6e9e8a02 "I know it's a lot to ask out of nowhere. — galley 218b2e91 — If I've made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry. ◆ a6140da9 Forget I said anything." sub:1269d27e
Thea and Tyler flew back to Savannah on Friday. [proof:e2d23ecd] He drove her home. ¶3846c4fa The two of them hauled their suitcases upstairs. ⁰16a15620 Before Thea could fish out her keys, the door swung open from inside — Kade leaning against the frame, jaw working on a piece of gum, long legs blocking the way. ¶ffe4df89 He sized them both up without a word. §7fda30d7
Thea's brow creased — barely. ©6c4f9602/May 27, 2026 She flicked a glance at him, then smoothly invited Tyler in. ref·3cee0b3f "Come sit for a bit, Tyler." [48ceb3a6]
"My brother, Kade Mercer." ‹643f95d6› She gestured between them. no.6251a6fe "And this is my coworker, Tyler Ross." §93b6f07b
"Hey." sig.a4cad0a9
"Hey." * 2620e753
The two men shook hands — polite, formal. ⟨dc91ec2e⟩ Tyler noticed the grip was heavy. ref·6ed4e6b8 Tight.·c1d3b545 Enough to make his knuckles ache. ¶216350a9
After a week away, the apartment was a mess again. ⁰15eca008 Thea offered Tyler a seat, found a glass, poured him some water. d2968805·· Smiled and apologized for the state of the place. §dde98ce2 Said she'd go change real quick — left Kade and Tyler alone in the living room. [aa4df60f]
Tyler's gaze drifted to Kade. (def1f96d) Studying him. #d5b51b97 Something curious and hard to read behind the look. plate-1967958f
"Trip go okay?" ©82f34648/May 27, 2026 Kade's posture wasn't exactly welcoming. [bb099868] Voice flat and distant. e0dd55d5·· "You two in the same department?" sub:5837ca82
"Went great." [ms.bdaf3ce4] Tyler introduced himself properly — he and Thea were from the same part of West Virginia, same major in college, same department, same team, same body component. — d27bafcf
Kade's handsome face split into a full, wide smile. plate-47f760c0 "No wonder you two pull those late nights together." (c67a0941/Wed)
"Smoke?" §8540bef0
"No thanks, Kade." [proof:73f18f0e]
They'd barely exchanged a few words when Thea came out of her room. ref·399dae96 She'd changed into a soft, elegant dress. ¶b9f8bca4 Her lipstick was a shade brighter than usual. ©d1feb8e5/May 27, 2026 She caught Tyler's eye and her gaze lit up — just a flicker. — 253b8ab4 She ducked her head with a small smile, tucking her hair behind her ear, and invited Tyler to go eat. ¶aff95c45
"How about hot pot?" [proof:05622e68]
Tyler said yes, of course. (66151cee/Wed) Thea grabbed her bag and headed for the door. [ed.f366ab06] Tyler followed, hesitating, glancing back at Kade. §9e5cce4a
"You're not coming, Kade?"·ff0b75ff
"My brother has plenty of friends. ·7edaac3e· Lots of plans." [ms.acafb64a] Thea didn't turn around. §577ad7a1 Her voice carried a smile. ref·ae89c3f3 "Just the two of us is fine." [ed.0d0a6495]
"You two go ahead. plate-f611cc62 I've got stuff tonight." «fde56f35» Kade shrugged, indifferent. no.da94986e
They left him behind. ⁰e47a3efe
He turned on the TV. no.b0371950 Stared at some show he wasn't watching. imp.f032e642 Settled into the couch and lit a cigarette. [ed.ae493556] Except the cigarette never really got smoked — just a tiny ember flickering at his fingertips, on and off. §1393d3f1
An hour and a half later, Thea came back alone. [ed.b29790ba] The apartment reeked of smoke. §934c4c02 She wrinkled her nose and asked Kade why he was still here.·89f29283
"Not going to the pool hall tonight?" — 688338bf
Kade grunted. §4411582c Turned off the TV. ⁰f5a89b00 Took his cigarette out to the balcony. d81c4e23·· Thea went to her room. [proof:7873ec74] Came back out a few minutes later in a baggy T-shirt and sweatpants, arms full of dirty laundry that she dumped into the washing machine on the balcony. «42b89869»
They each claimed a corner of the balcony. ‹1706a539›
Thea spoke with her back to him. §c1608120 "Got any darks that need washing? [25e27fdf] I've only got two things — not really enough for a load." [proof:f638caca]
"Yeah, actually." «8f84d0f5» His voice came out lazy and slow. imp.ea055f24 Then he reached down and grabbed the hem of his T-shirt. [proof:91f048c6] Both hands crossed, gripped the fabric, and pulled — up and off. [5b4821fe] First a strip of narrow waist cinched by gray drawstring sweats. #1a572159 Then the flat, hard plane of his stomach, ridged with tight muscle. ⟨12247e11⟩ The athletic slope of his chest. plate-e3a28a95 Collarbones and throat, honey-gold skin over prominent bone. «d7ee73d0»
The black T-shirt sailed through the air and landed on Thea's head.·406c0e0d Her vision went dark. plate-1501962a The shirt was warm — radiating his body heat. [v.180aff10] Cigarette smoke and sweat and the faint trace of soap on skin. ‹238d9dd7›
Something inside her lurched. «14d27ff7» The hand holding the detergent bottle lurched too. ·cca9cfee· She felt it spill — liquid running over her fingers. «7aa0ff91»
"Kade!!" Her voice wobbled, like the surface of a lake hit by a sudden gust. ·6151650f·
The shirt had draped over her completely — covering her head and shoulders. 01925b64·· She heard his laugh first. ©d3b3f6d3/May 27, 2026 Low, rough, careless. sig.789dfe6e Then footsteps. [ed.f8999b6f] He came up behind her, stopping close but not quite touching. ‹3441a8a1› She could feel the weight of him at her back — the searing heat of his skin crossing the narrow gap between them. (15ca497e)
One hand reached past her shoulder. ··b59bb94d Rough fingers caught the T-shirt on her head and yanked it down. [ms.f1a28c71] The fabric slid with his pull, dragging through her hair, scattering it across her face. (b961a35c/Wed) His elbow knocked against her shoulder — hard bone pressing into her. * 9fa6eadf She didn't move. ⁰57328dd6 Didn't breathe. ref·6c70f3d3 The last inch of fabric slipped from her cheek and the light flooded back. [proof:31a4db0c] The shirt was in his hand now. ed.cfa5bf88 His long fingers opened, and it dropped into the washing machine. — galley 9bed3f49 —
Thea's face was burning. — dc034fb3 Her whole body locked up. [ed.515b0c3a] She could feel him grinning behind her — that blinding, shameless, reckless grin — blooming silent in the dim evening, tangling with the lingering heat of early fall. ‹2df01241› Alive and electric and scalding. no.b7eac522
"There you go. [v.e3790f89] All yours." [ms.eef316e6]
He turned and walked inside, whistling softly. * 8ad8aafd