Page 4 of Call It Home

Obviously, Cam wasn’t alone in her opinion.

Hell.I’dwished that many times. But until circumstances changed, I wasn’t looking to spend money I didn’t need to. And while some would call me a fool for throwing money away on an old vehicle, it was cheaper than getting something newer.

“Fifty thousand dollars…” Nope. Selling my soul wasn’t worth the reward.

“Yeah. But this truck and me, we’ve been through a lot together. I’m not quite ready to get rid of her.”

“I hear ya.” He handed me the keys to one of the trucks that boastedSterling Constructionon the side. “In the meantime, here.”

I frowned at the keys as if they’d bite. While they might not, I wasn’t so sure Cameron wouldn’t. “Not sure that’s a good idea. What’s the boss gonna say?”

“I’ll take care of it. It’s not the first time we’ve done this for one of the guys. Cam’s good people. She likes to take care of her team, just like her granddaddy did.”

I took the keys but didn’t move to the pickup that had to have been at least twenty years newer than mine. Hell, my truck had already been around eight years old when I bought it, and I’d been proud as hell that day.

“Something wrong, son? I promise. It will be fine.”

I looked at the older man. His brow furrowed, probably trying to puzzle out why I didn’t jump at the chance to drive something in which everything worked.

“No, sir. I just need to let someone know I won’t be able to visit this weekend as we planned. I hate letting him down.” That was an understatement, something I specialized in.

Will scratched his chin as he studied me. “A girl?”

“My brother. In Virginia. He’s…not able to come see me, so I try to go to him as often as I can.”

I didn’t waver under his scrutiny.

“Take the truck. Go visit your brother. Family’s too important to let down when there’s such a simple solution. Just bring the truck back with a full tank of gas and we’ll call it square.”

For one of the first times all day, I smiled. “I can do that.”

He slapped me on the shoulder and hollered at one of the other guys to give him a ride back to Sterling Construction to get his car.

I grabbed my gym bag from my back seat and settled into the newer truck, enjoying how the seat springs didn’t sink under my weight. It was definitely a lot quieter as I headed down Main Street to my small cabin, grateful I’d have a reliable ride tomorrow so I could keep the appointment I made a month ago.

* * *

“Good to see you, man.”

I gave my older-by-two-years brother a tight hug and a quick slap on the back. I wanted to take longer, but the staff kept a close eye on all physical contact between visitors and inmates.

At least we were allowed that much.

Trey settled into the seat across from me. As usual, I scanned for any sign of neglect or abuse. I couldn’t see any, just the rigid way he held his body as he clasped his fingers together on the table, making sure to keep them visible at all times.

“How are things?” he asked, the same question he started with every visit for the past three years.

I shrugged. “About the same. My truck crapped out yesterday.” I cast worried eyes at him. “I’m going to have to spend some money to fix it.”

Dark green eyes narrowed at me. “I keep telling you, buy a new one. You’ve had that other fucker for almost fifteen years, and it was a piece of shit then. How the hell did you get here?”

I grinned, despite his description of my old junker. “Hey, be nice about my baby. She’s seen us through a lot.”

Trey’s only response was to frown and grunt, so I continued. “The supervisor told me to take one of the work trucks. He knows I had to travel, but not the details.”

“Your boss lady okay with that?”

“Will said he’d take care of it. She’s kind of cool about things like that, so yeah, shouldn’t be an issue.” I prayed that was true.

---