Page 10 of Whatever You Want

“What’s that?” My mom put the spoon down on the stove and looked over my shoulder. “Oh, that’s really nice,” she commented as I swiped through the photos. This property was exactly what I was looking for. It had a big eat-in kitchen that flowed into an open family room with high ceilings and the prettiest stone fireplace I’ve ever seen. The bedrooms were all spacious, and the best part, Madison and I would have our own bathrooms.

I immediately texted my realtor and told him I wanted to look at the property ASAP.

“I take it that’s your favorite so far?”

I leaned against the counter. “Yeah, and it’s not far from where we are now. Madison won’t have to change schools.”

When I started the search, that was one of my concerns. While I loved the townhouse that Drew and I bought when we first got married, I was ready for a change. Sure, I would miss my neighbors, but Madison and I needed a fresh start. A place where there weren’t memories of Drew at every turn.

“That’s wonderful. It looks really nice from the pictures.”

I grabbed my keys off the table, ready to get out of there before Richard came back downstairs. “Madison, please get your shoes on. It’s time to go.”

My mom twisted her hands together. “I’m glad you’re taking this huge step.”

“Thanks.” I stared at her wrist, feeling my heart pinch with sadness. “Mom, you know you can always stay with me, right?” I looked over to the stairs to make sure we were alone. “Just say the word and I’ll do whatever I can to get you away from him.”

She patted the side of my face gently like she used to do when I was a child. “I know you don’t agree with my decision, but this is the life I chose for myself.”

“Is this the life you would choose for me?” I lowered my voice and looked over my shoulder. “Would you want this life for me and your granddaughter?”

She looked away, unable to meet my eyes. “I would never want this for you or Madison, and I thank God every day that Drew gave you both a good life. My only wish is that you find that again someday. Somebody deserving because you deserve to be loved.”

I felt horrible for being so hard on her. I wish there was a way to make her see that she deserved those things too.

“I’m sorry for snapping. I hope I didn’t make things worse for you. Everything I said was out of love and concern.”

She pulled me into her arms. The same arms that would comfort me when I was sad and promised to make all my troubles disappear. If only she would allow me to do the same. “You are a good daughter. A little stubborn like me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She patted my back and released me.

My lips pressed together as I looked her over. “I won’t give up on you.” I forced myself to take a step back. The thought of leaving her alone with him killed me. She deserved so much better, but she had to participate in her own rescue at some point. I couldn’t help her if she wasn’t willing to help herself.

“I know, dear. Love you.”

I sighed and turned around to collect my daughter. I hated leaving her like this. If only I could convince her to come with me. Maybe someday.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite detective,” Freddie, the owner of the Second Chance diner, greeted my brother and me as we walked up to the hostess stand.

“Hey.” I held my hand out for a shake. “How’s it going, dude?” I looked around at the packed restaurant. “Looks like business is doing good.”

He shook his head like he couldn’t believe it. “Never thought I would see the day, and I owe it all to you.”

“Stop. You did this all on your own.”

Freddie was a recovering heroin addict who I met years ago. I had just transferred to narcotics and was on one of my first drug raids when I found him unconscious on a dirty floor with a needle sticking out of his arm. I stayed with Freddie at the hospital that night and sat with him until his family arrived. He was young, and something told me he didn’t belong in that life. After taking his statement and meeting his mother, I could tell that he was just a good kid who found himself hanging with the wrong crowd.

“You saved my life and I can never repay you for that.”

“I just pointed you in the right direction. You’re the one who put in all the work.”

Freddie used his short stint in prison to turn his life around. It’s guys like him who deserve a second chance—hence the name of the diner.

“Let me show you guys to your table.”

Luke and I followed Freddie to the back of the restaurant and slid into a small booth. After exchanging small talk, he called one of his servers over to take our order.

“So, how was the baptism?” my brother Luke asked once we were alone.

“It was all right,” I said, taking a sip of my coffee and trying to keep my tone casual—no need to tell him how bad I was lusting over a woman that I could never have.

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