Page 76 of I'll Carry You

Jen absorbed this information with a dull expression. She pressed her dry lips together as though trying to form words.

Jason stepped even closer. “I know you don’t need me in your life. But if Colby is named the heir to my grandfather’s estate, control of the estate will go to a trustee—the CEO of Cavanaugh Metals, Chad Duncan—a man I deeply distrust. Most trusts work in a way that the minors don’t inherit until after they reach adulthood anyway, but Chad’s an asshole. The only thing Colby being the heir means is that Chad will control huge portions of his life and wealth—and yours, by extension, well into Colby’s adulthood.”

Squinting at him, Jen rubbed her collarbone, her fingers barely peeking out of the sleeves of her sweater. “So the money wouldn’t help us at all now? Wouldn’t make Colby’s life better?”

“Not necessarily. It depends on the way my grandfather set it all up, but the trustee gets a lot of say in things. And I don’t want that creep anywhere near you.” Jason took a slow breath. “That’s why I want to marry you, Jen. I want to adopt Colby. And I know it’s a rush, but there’s a ninety-day window for Colby to claim his inheritance, and it’s almost closed. But if he’s my son, we can take the whole thing to court. We can argue they should name me the trustee, which is what would happen if I had a legal son of my own. Then I can make life better for you both. Now.”

“Just Colby and me?” Jen gave him a wary glance. “Or your life, too?”

His gut dropped. “It’s not like that—”

“Isn’t it, though? From where I’m standing, it sounds like you have a lot to lose—everything, in fact—if that’s not what happens. The only way for you to get to your grandfather’s money is what you just suggested.” She covered her mouth, then lowered one hand to her stomach as though she might gag. “Is that why you’ve been sleeping with me? Because you wanted to make me think you cared about me so I would marry you?”

“No, Jen, no, I—” Jason dug both hands through his hair. Mildred’s words about how he’d ruined things swirled in his brain. “No. I genuinely care about you. I can’t get enough of you. I want you. Everything between us was completely real, I swear it.” He drew closer and reached for her hand. “Even I couldn’t fake a connection like you and I have. I promise—”

“Don’t touch me.”

Jason pulled his hand back.

She stepped back, her eyes wounded. “Please leave. Please.”

“Jen, it doesn’t have to be like this. What happened between us? It’s been great. We get along well, and that’s more than enough to build a life on.”

“Are you kidding me right now? This isn’t a movie, Jason. This whole thing more than proves we barely know each other. I am so sick of being taken for a ride, Jason. First Kevin, who proclaimed to love me and then bolted. And now you, asking me to marry you with even more to lose if I refuse you. No, I’m done. Just leave me alone. Get out!”

The last words tore from her throat with a savage torment that he closed his eyes, feeling her slip far out of his grasp.

When he looked back, she’d gone back into the house. Bob stood at the front window, his expression unreadable.

Jason’s shoulders fell. He released the last suffocating sigh in his chest, then went back to the car.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Jen stoodin front of Colby at her parents’ kitchen counter and wiped his tears away. “It’s okay, bud. It’s just a little scratch.” She peeled the Band-Aid wrapper back and then placed it over his skinned knee. Bending down, she kissed his knee. “All better?”

He shook his head, tears still falling. “I tore my pants.”

“Aw, buddy. It’s okay. Pants tear sometimes. It’s not a big deal.” She pulled him off the counter and into a big bear hug. “It’s better than getting caught in a . . . merry-go-round!” Then she twirled, spinning him until he giggled.

“Again!” he said with a wide smile on his face.

Jen steadied herself against the counter. “Mommy might fall over if she keeps spinning.”

Her mother came in at that moment with Lindsay in tow. “Hey, look who I found outside.”

“Miss Lindsay!” Colby squirmed from Jen’s arms to get to Lindsay. “I missed you!”

Jen’s heart squeezed to see Colby hugging Lindsay. He’d always loved her best friend, but after spending the fall in her class, he’d grown especially close to her. If only she could get Colby back in preschool.

Her mother stood in the doorway. “Hey, Colby, why don’t you come with Mom-Mom back outside—get back on that tricycle?” She held out her hands for Colby, who nodded, and they went back outside.

Lindsay took her coat off and put it on the back of a chair at the kitchen table. She came over and gathered Jen in her arms for a fierce hug. “How are you?”

“Ugh...” Jen shook her head, determined not to cry. “You know the worst part about being a mom and going through a breakup?”

Lindsay bit her lip and shook her head.

“I can’t just crawl under the covers and cry all day. I have to keep putting on a smile and try not to completely fall apart.”

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