Page 51 of Vail

I sighed. “On one condition.”

“Anything.”

“If you drink or feel yourself spiraling, I want you to tell me. I don’t want to lose you again.”

Forest reached for me, bringing me into a hug. “You didn’t lose me before. I was so down after losing Pop I didn’t know what else to do.”

“You have all of us now. You’re not alone.”

“Thanks,” he whispered.

Forest being here would worry me. Not because of Gil as much as him being alone. I’d still see him when I worked. I could even bring him breakfast if he liked.

Sheldon returned to the door, facing away from us. Rory stepped inside but didn’t do more than nod before going to the back.

It was really tempting to ask Forest to help me pay off the debt. Instead, I kept my lips pressed together. What he paid me in rent would go toward the house. Hell, for all I knew, Forest had his own bills to pay and he could have gotten less for his condo than he wanted. We hadn’t had much time to chat since he showed up.

Sheldon pushing off the wall had me looking to see what caught his attention. An unmarked police car stopped at the curb. At least I recognized it and wasn’t startled. Where Jordan was concerned, every day could be a new reason for the cops to lock him up.

Barrett exited his vehicle and rounded the hood. Sheldon met him outside, the two talking for a moment before they entered. I liked Barrett and wanted to trust him. Jordan said I shouldn’t, but Barrett had been nice to me. That didn’t mean I was about to spill secrets to him.

“Hartley,” he greeted with a warm smile and an outstretched hand. “It’s nice to see your business is doing well.”

I shook his hand. “Thank you. I’m definitely busy.”

Forest stood behind me like I couldn’t handle talking to someone on my own.

“You’re new,” Barrett said. He extended his hand. “Barrett North.”

Forest shook his hand. “Forest Weathers, Hartley’s brother.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I didn’t know you lived locally.”

“I recently moved back.”

Sheldon slid closer, his hands in his pockets. “Detective North.”

“Sheldon, it’s nice to see you again.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“You’re a cop?” Forest asked. Barrett didn’t look like one. He had on dark jeans, a fitted shirt, and a gray wool coat.

“Detective,” Barrett corrected.

“What can we do for you?” Sheldon asked.

“I’m just doing my rounds, making sure everything’s okay.”

“Sure you are.” Barrett had to be used to this from Jordan’s guards.

“Hartley, can I speak with you for a moment?”

“Not without me present,” Sheldon interjected.

Good god, I didn’t have time for this either. Why was everyone trying to suck my minutes away on shit that wasn’t work? I was trying to earn a living.

“Let’s go,” I said and started for the back, where there was a break room I had set up. A fridge was already in the room, as well as a microwave. I added a coffee maker and a basket of snacks. It wasn’t much but it was better than nothing.

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