Page 23 of Tactical Revival

“Margot.”

“Jaxson. Seriously. I can do this.”

“I’m not saying you can’t,” he replies.

“Then why are you asking? Are you worried about finding another place to stay if I close my doors? Because that’s not going to happen.” Suddenly, I’m not spiraling over my debt, but at the idea of not seeing Jaxson Payne every day.

He moves in close enough that I can make out the flecks of color in his hazel gaze. “I’m asking because I’d like to help you. If you’re open to it.”

“You’re already helping me.”

“I know, but that’s different. I have money saved up, more than enough to cover what you owe and help?—”

“Absolutely not.” I shake my head. “You will not be giving me a dime.”

“Margot.”

“Did you tell Michael?” I ask, pride forcing me to feel beyond vulnerable. I hate it.

“Of course not.” He steps back. “It’s not my place.”

“You’re right. It’s not.” I really shouldn’t be angry. I know Jaxson well enough to know that his offer comes from a good place. But his desire to help too closely mirrors Chad telling me that I won’t ever be able to keep this place going without him.

Which is exactly what he said to me when I told him to get out.

“I only want to help you, Margot. You can consider it an advance of my rent.”

“An advance of your—” I do some quick calculations. “That would be fifteen years of rent at your current rate.”

“Then raise it,” he insists. “I told you when you offered me the maintenance apartment that you weren’t charging me enough.”

“You help me around here, that more than covers it.”

“Some paint here and there, changing out a lightbulb, that doesn’t account for the difference, Margot. Please, I’m asking you to let me help you. I can and I want to.”

“I have a separate account that I can borrow from if I need to,” I tell him, though only I know that I will never touch Matty’s college fund. Not even to save my dream.

“Margot. I’m not asking to be involved in your business, and I promise we’ll never speak about it again. You can even pay me back if you want. But let me help you so you don’t lose this place.”

I consider his offer. The kindness he’s already shown me.

And then the front door opens and Matty strolls in. He stops when he sees us, his gaze going from me to Jaxson, then back to me. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing, honey. Just a serious conversation.”

Matty’s gaze narrows on Jaxson. “Is everything okay?” he asks, looking back at me.

“Yes, of course.” I force a smile, then turn to Jaxson. “We’ll finish the conversation later.”

“Of course.” Jaxson heads up the stairs to his apartment, and even though I long to look back at him, I don’t.

“Hungry?” I ask Matty.

“What’s going on, Mom?”

“What do you mean, honey?” I try to keep my tone level as I pull some cookies out of the jar and place them on a plate for my son.

“I know something’s up. You keep trying to hide things from me, but I know something’s wrong, so what is it? Did Jaxson say something to hurt you?”

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