Page 103 of Callahan

I chimed in. “Well, I appreciate you not doing that and putting in a good word for me.”

“Of course.” A devilish grin escaped him. “Besides, this way I’ll know if you’re home and available to work overtime.”

I glanced to where Sylvia had tucked the lease in her satchel to determine how easily I could get it back and tear it up. Brian noticed where my gaze had gone, and chuckled. “I purposefully kept that to myself until after you signed.”

“Grrrreat.”

Sylvia interjected with a smug smile cast in Brian’s direction. “You can still change your mind. You have twenty-four hours to rescind your agreement.”

That was good to know. I still wanted Lainey’s opinion, but knew I needed to wait until we were alone.

So, with more confidence than I was feeling, I shook my head. “Nah. It goes both ways.”

Brian seemed proud when he nodded. “Touché, rookie. Touché.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Lainey

I’d started the Honda’s engine when Adam asked, “So, you think I did the right thing?”

I wanted to scream, “No! You should live with me and Conor!” but I replied, “It’s a beautiful home and the rent is ridiculously cheap. I don’t see how you could go wrong. And you’ll have good neighbors.”

He nodded. “That’s true,” then he looked at me pointedly. “But he’ll also know everyone who comes in and out of my place.”

“Yeah…”

“Not that there’s really any way to keep a secret in Haven Springs, anyway.”

“That’s true.”

He was quiet for a beat, as if he were lost in thought, before he finally asked, “So, what will that mean for us when I move out?”

I didn’t want to think about it, but burying my head in the sand wasn’t the solution.

“I think we both know we won’t be able to keep doing… what we’re doing without everyone talking.”

“And I wouldn’t want to dishonor Shawn’s memory like that.”

“Of course. You wouldn’t want to do that for someone you’re just messing around with.”

“Lainey, come on. You know that’s not how I feel about you. But every time we’re together, it seems like I’m betraying Shawn. Like I’m stealing the life he’d have if I hadn’t—”

I glanced over at him, waiting for him to continue, then drew my attention back to the road.

“If you hadn’t…?”

His voice was barely above a whisper. “He died because of me, Lainey.”

I jerked my attention back to him and had to concentrate to not run us off the road when I looked back out the windshield.

“What do you mean, he died because of you?”

“I was on lookout while my squad was on patrol—I should have seen the bomb that we hit. Shawn died coming to save us because I messed up.”

“That was his job, Adam. You would have done the same thing for him—or anyone else on your team.”

“But if I hadn’t fucked up, he wouldn’t have had to.”

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