Page 28 of Christmas in the Shadows

“Put my number in your cell phone.” He paused as if realizing how bossy he sounded. “Please.”

She pulled out her cell and as he rattled off the digits, she typed them in.

“Call me if you need anything. Anything at all. It won’t be a bother to me.” He locked gazes with her.

“Thank you, but I should be fine.”

At least, Chelsea prayed that was the case.

CHAPTER 9

Guilt pressed on Tex.

He shouldn’t leave. Yet he couldn’t stay either.

Because as soon as Chelsea had touched his arm and electricity had zapped through his blood, Tex had been sent reeling back in time.

Back to when he had to leave town.

It had been one of the hardest days of his life. He’d known if he had to tell Chelsea goodbye, that he wouldn’t leave. That he’d stay in this area for as long as Chelsea wanted. That he’d do whatever it took to make her happy.

But that wasn’t a good plan.

He needed to get away from Gilbert. He needed to figure out a way to support himself. To find a respectable job.

That was why, when he’d been approached about enlisting, he’d said yes.

He knew that wasn’t the traditional method used when the military recruited people. At the time, he’d found it odd that they’d come to him and asked him to join. But on the other hand, it had been a relief. He’d felt honored.

Little did he know at the time exactly what the military had in store for him. He’d had no clue about the experiments theywanted to put him through to make him into a super soldier of sorts. They’d even gone as far as to implant devices in his body, devices he’d only recently had removed.

He was still trying to comprehend all of it.

He took one last glance back at Chelsea’s house. Saw her in the kitchen window waving to him.

A pang shot through his heart.

Chelsea was one special girl. Too special for him. He was too messed up, and Tex had always known it.

Maybe another part of him had wanted to go to the military just so he could make himself into someone worthy of someone like Chelsea. But after what he’d been through, he wasn’t sure that would ever be possible. Maybe he’d come out even more messed up than he’d been when he’d left.

He made his way to Gilbert’s house. He went to the back door, which Gilbert had left unlocked for him.

After stepping inside, he paused and glanced around.

He halfway expected to see Gilbert sitting at the kitchen table having a late-night snack. He used to eat Golden Stuffed Oreos with a tall glass of milk there after games.

But everything was quiet around him. It was quite the change from when Tex had lived here as a foster kid.

Back then, there’d always been something going on in the house. Though Gilbert liked order, sitting around in their rooms wasn’t an option. All the guys had helped around the house. When they were done with their chores, they were expected to be outside tossing around a football or taking a jog or doing something constructive.

Gilbert had pushed too hard at times, however. He’d been harsh with them. Insulted them if they failed his expectations. He’d never given them time to rest.

Tex saw a piece of paper on the kitchen table and picked it up.

It was a note from Gilbert.

I’ve gone to bed. Help yourself to anything in the fridge. You can stay in your old room. I changed the sheets so they’re clean. If you need anything, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll see you in the morning.

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