Page 30 of I'll Carry You

“Jason...” What had he said again? “I think he said his last name was Sutter.” This sounded awful.

Maybe because it was bad.

Dan’s eyes bulged. “You don’t know his last name?”

“Sutter. Definitely Sutter.” She grimaced. Dan was clearly unconvinced. “Anyway, um, so after work the other night, I drove Jason back to the cabins because his car got towed, and we ended up in the middle of the street during theAChristmas Carol.It wasn’t like we meant to kiss.”

“Why to the cabins?”

Trust Dan to catch these details. “Because that’s where he’s staying.” She balanced on one foot, then the other, pulling her heels on.

Dan drew a sharp breath. “When exactly did you meet this new guy?”

God, he was grilling her. But she was used to this annoying questioning from him.

He wouldn’t like this. She should just lie. But if he found out she’d lied to him, that could just be worse in the long run. “Thursday.”

“What the actual fuck?” Dan stormed closer, his face red. “You meet a guy Thursday, kiss him Friday, then spend Saturday night with him?”

She leveled her gaze at him. It sounded irresponsible and horrible when he put it that way. And it was also true—almost, anyway. But still. “It’s none of your business who I sleep with. Do you give any of your buddies at work this sort of inquisition when you swap stories?”

Dan raked his fingers through his hair. “You’re not a dude, Jen. You’re my sister. I give a damn what people are saying about you.” He scowled. “And you should be better than this. You have a kid. You can’t afford to expose him to whoever, whenever.”

Now her own temper flared. “Did I say I was in a relationship? Or introducing anyone? You’ve made it impossible for me to date in this town, big brother. And now a rich, handsome stranger comes into town and isn’t afraid to have sex with me. Forgive me for considering the option. I know you’d prefer for me to be a frickin’ nun, but I happen to enjoy sex, same as everyone else our age.”

Dan crossed his arms. “Real mature.”

“Oh, shut up. Don’t tell me you’ve never thought about screwing someone for fun. You can pretend to be a robot all you want, but you’re not.”

They squared off, and finally, Dan stepped back, letting out a frustrated breath. “I don’t want to know the details of your little arrangement. But can you please promise you’re being safe about it?”

Yes, because I’ve messed up everyone’s life by having unprotected sex before.She’d learned her lesson. She narrowed her gaze at him and pointed at the door. “Out of my room.”

“Jen, sweetheart! We have to get going,” Mom called down the hallway.

Dan didn’t move. “Look, Mom and Dad have been through a lot with you. You’re right—it’s your life, and I can't stop you if you want to be irresponsible. But don’t expect them to foot the bill if you screw up.”

She followed him out the door, so angry with him it was a struggle not to slap him. “You know, it’s not like you’ve never screwed up and put other people through hell with your actions. Remember how my baby almost died because of you?”

Stopping at the top of the stairs, Dan stared at her, hurt in his eyes. He took a shaky breath. “I’m trying to protect you. You deserve better than some asshole who wants to use you for a one-night stand. And you know I’ll regret that until the day I die.”

“I can take care of myself.” She had forgiven Dan for his actions the year before because she knew he hadn’t forgotten the terror she’d experienced for those hours when Colby had been missing. But it was hard to let go, especially considering Colby’s night terrors. She lived with hishorrible oversightevery day. Dan did not. And she was angry.

She pushed past him, hurrying down the stairs. Colby waited for her at the bottom, looking up at her with bright eyes.

“Mommy, can I have the game again? Uncle Danny took it from me.” He held his hands up.

She shook her head. “No, we’re all done with Mommy’s phone right now.” She helped him into his coat.

“Can I ride in Uncle Danny’s police car?” Colby looked at Dan as he came to the bottom of the stairs.

“No, Pop is going to drive us.” She pulled his winter hat down over his ears. Letting him ride with Dan was easy enough, but she was too angry with her brother to let Colby go with him.

“Pwwwwwwease?” Colby whined, holding his arms out to Dan. “I want to ride in Uncle Danny’s car.”

Dan set his mouth to a line. He gave Colby a sympathetic look. “It’s up to your mom.”

“And Mommy said no.” Jen yanked her coat on.

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