Page 224 of The Last Good Man

“I know that. Let’s not talk aboutthemanymore.”

“All right,’ he says, resting his hand on my neck and looking down.

“Why did you ask for a different therapist?” I murmur.

He slings his gaze to me, a smile on his lips.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he says quietly.

“Me?”

“Yes…” He looks down again. “You thought you felt small? Have you ever considered how you made me feel when you thought I was too young and not good enough for you?”

“Yes, I have. That’s why I’m here.” I study his face, waiting for his eyes to come to me. “And that’s why I wanted to know everything about you and your life. Watching you in front of your mother’s house made me feel like I was a part of you. And it was a good feeling. Refreshing, it was a teaching moment. I wanted to be there with you. Talk to your mom and meet Noah and Rylee.”

He smiles bittersweetly.

“It’s strange hearing me talk about them, isn’t it?” I say.

“A little.”

Absently moving his thumb across my jawline, he ponders my words.

“What else did you learn about me?”

“That something happened in prison, and your life has been different since you got released.”

He nods in acknowledgment before peering down again, thinking about something.

“We’ll do this,” he says, checking the time on his watch before looking at me. “Someone will take you to my place. You wait there. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll bring food and drinks. We’ll talk it out, okay?” he says. “I need to go now.”

He takes my hand and walks me to the back of the building, reaching inside his pocket for his phone.

“Itake ityou won’t be upset if you’re not seeing the rest of the boxing matches.”

“Correct,” I say, trying to keep up with him.

He’s on the phone before pushing a door open. His car enters my view, the engine running, someone already behind the wheel.

I stop and look at Jax.

“Uh… Did you have this ready for me, or, um…?”

He opens the door for me.

“My brother is helping me out. No, I didn’t think you’d show up,” he says, but something tells me that’s not true.

He makes the introductions while Noah flashes a smile.

“You take her to my place. Call me if you need me,” Jax says, and his brother’s eyes glimmer with unspoken admiration.

“Sure. No problem.”

“Be safe,” Jax says, watching me get settled.

I give him a small wave, missing himalready,before shifting my eyes to Noah.

He sets Jax’s car in motion with great care as if transporting the most precious cargo in the world.

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