Page 65 of I'll Carry You

Wreck was a generous term. Dumpster fire was more accurate.

“You thinking of taking up real estate here in town?” a voice came from behind him.

Ned stood a few feet behind him, hands in the pockets of his peacoat.

Jason stiffened, then looked back at him through the window's reflection. “I’m not interested in discussing my personal affairs with you, Vickers.”

“Affairs. That’s an interesting word, isn’t it?” Ned stepped forward so they were shoulder to shoulder. “You told Bill Powell the girl in town here is your fiancée, didn’t you? That’s the story you’re trying to spin here?”

Jason gave him a sardonic smile. “No comment.”

“You know I’m going to get to the bottom of what you’re doing here. And who that woman is. I hear she has a kid.”

“There you are.” TJ sauntered up toward Jason, then handed him a paper bag with what appeared to be a sub inside. He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and pulled out an envelope, which he handed to Ned. “This is for you.”

Ned lifted a brow. “What is it?”

“Restraining order. Stay away from my client and stop stalking his girlfriend.” TJ winked at Ned and set a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “Ready to go back to your car?”

Whatever TJ’s quirks, Jason really couldn’t pay him enough for all he did. Jason didn’t bother to give Ned a second look as he headed down the sidewalk with TJ. When they were out of earshot, Jason asked, “Was that a real restraining order?”

“Yup. But it doesn’t mean he’ll stay away from Jen.”

“Vickers knows Jen has a kid.”

“It was only a matter of time.” TJ stopped abruptly and snatched his sandwich back from Jason. “My cheesesteak is getting cold.”

“Keep him away from Jen and her family.”

“Jason, I’m going to say this again as nicely as I can. I’m not a bodyguard.” TJ peeled back the foil paper from the sandwich and took a bite. “It’s over. Go home. Consider this one a failure. You’re going to lose.”

Jason backed up toward his car and shook his head. “Cavanaughs don’t give up, TJ.”

“Until they make bad decisions and destroy their lives.”

Jason cringed and unlocked the car door. TJ couldn’t possibly know how closely he grazed the truth. “You just keep doing what I pay you to do, TJ. It’ll be worth your time if you succeed.”

He climbed in, wanting to shut himself away from TJ’s comeback. As Jason started the engine and sped away from the curb, he couldn’t shake the gloom that settled over him.

Go home.

And then what? Let Ned find out about Colby without telling Jen about it first?

He could survive losing the company well enough, even if his grandfather’s loyal employees wouldn’t. He’d find another job, sell some investments, make some others.

But it wasn’t just about that anymore, was it?

His mind felt like it was spinning. As he turned off of Main Street and headed back toward the cabins, a road sign that had brought him from the highway caught his attention. That was all he needed to do. Hop on that highway. Drive home. Leave it all back here. TJ could pack up his belongings at the cabin if necessary.

And he’d go back to Chicago where there would be no Ned, no ghosts from his past, no Mildred. Only forward and onward.

Without Jen and Colby.

He continued toward the cabin, unable to turn the car around.

Coming down here had been the last desperate act of a drowning man.

The metaphor stung, and he gripped the wheel more tightly.

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