Page 11 of Never To Forever

“I, uh, haven’t really thought about it.”

Christian leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees.

He gives me a thoughtful look before saying, “I think you should take this time and think about what you really want to do.”

I frown, confused. “You don’t want me to go back to work?”

It’s something I’d expect to hear from my friend, but Christian is also technically my boss, so I’m kind of surprised by the suggestion.

“That’s not it,” he answers. “You’re a damn good worker, and the company will definitely be worse off without you, but is it really what you want to do with your life?”

“Where’s this coming from?” I ask with a frown, as I watch him glance towards the doorway of the kitchen before leaning closer to me.

“Haven told me that this isn’t what you wanted to do with your life, Garett. You had dreams at one point in time.”

I can’t help the little scoff that leaves me as I shake my head. Of course, Haven would tell Christian about that kind of thing. “None of that matters, Christian. My dreams didn’t pay the bills… the oil field does.”

“Well,” he says with a pause, his smile widening. “Lucky for you…you’re going to be on disability for a while, and the company will be covering your medical bills and providing workers comp, so you don’t have to worry about anything financially. You really could take this time to figure out what might be next for you. Of course, you don’t have to. You can absolutely come back to work when you’re better. I just want you to know that if you did want to do something else with your life, I’ll support you”

“That’s a brilliant idea! You could finish your degree!”

Christian and I both turn, surprised, to find Haven standing just inside the doorway of the room. She’s holding a tray with a sandwich and sparkling water, her eyes wide and bright with excitement.

“My degree?”

She hurries over to me, setting the tray down on the coffee table before sitting next to me.

“You were so close to finishing,” she says, grabbing my hand and squeezing it. “I know stepping away from school to help pay for Mom’s medical bills and keep us all afloat was really hard for you, but now is your chance to go back and finish what you started!”

I nearly laugh at the idea. Me? Back in school?

“Haven, I’m thirty-seven.” I shake my head. “Who goes back to school at my age, after so long? I’d look ridiculous hanging around all those twenty-something college students.”

“You could do it online,” she suggests. “You only need, what? One or two more classes to get your full credits? An English elective and a final finance class?” She suddenly gasps, her excitement doubling as some realization hits her. “You could study at the library and have Marie help you!”

At the mention of Marie’s name, my heart races and my blood heats. I drop my gaze to try and hide it. I haven’t seen Marie since my first night in the hospital. When she’d shown up, I’d been so happy to see her, it had caught me off guard. I did my best to act like I normally would around her because I didn’t want to make things weird or awkward with everyone else around. She’d been so beautiful, her dark hair slightly mussed and cheeks pink, wearing black leggings that had shown off her shapely legs and perfect ass and, despite how much pain I’d been in, my cock stirred.

The memory floods me with guilt. I can’t be having those types of thoughts—not about her. I made a promise, and there are some lines I just can’t cross…

“That’s not necessary,” I insist. “Marie’s a busy woman, and that’s her place of work. I don’t want to burden her?—.”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Haven replies quickly. “She’ll be able to help you with your English course, because, let’s be honest, that was never your strong suit. She’s already helping Ally with her college applications and SAT prep, so you could probably just hop in on their sessions together. I’m sure Ally won’t mind. Besides, it’s not like you’re going to be able to type yourself, or even stare at a computer screen for long with your concussion. It’ll be good just to have someone around to help you when you need it, and it’d be difficult for Christian and I to be available because of our jobs. It’ll be easier for Marie. I’ll give Marie a call and get everything arranged!”

She hops up with surprising agile for a pregnant woman and hurries out of the room before I can untie my tongue and object. Christian chuckles from his chair as I lean back slightly on the couch, turning my narrowed gaze to him.

“Shut up,” I mumble. “Your wife is a crazy person.”

“She’s not wrong though.”

I can’t help but frown, as my gaze deepens. “No?”

“Why not finish your degree?” Christian leans back and crosses one leg over the other. “It was a finance degree, right? There’d be a place for you in the company with a degree like that. Higher up, administrative, better pay… I would seriously consider it if I were you.”

I have to admit, that is some solid motivation. Not having to break my back on the oil rig—not having to spend weeks away from home at a time—it’s definitely tempting.

“Fine… I’ll think about it.”

He smiles, satisfied with my response. “That’s all I ask. Now, eat your sandwich and relax. I’ll go try to rein in Haven.”

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