Page 29 of Can't Get Over You
“Will you be there too?” Cody asked. “With me and Mister?”
“I can hang out with you sometimes, sure,” Finlay said. “I’d like that.”
As the two set off, Jude pulled out his phone. “Let me text my dad. He can pick us up.”
“No need. Take my car.” Carlo tipped his chin at the top of the dresser. “I won’t be driving for a while.”
Jude picked up the car keys and jingled them. “Anything else of yours you want me to take?”
“Eh. You can’t bring anything with you when you go. Besides, the car’s got his booster seat in it.”
“You’re not going anywhere, old man. At least, no farther than Idaho Falls. Just focus on getting better, and I’ll see you in six weeks.” He headed out.
“Jude.” The urgency in Carlo’s voice stopped him, but it was the pleading look in his eyes that wrenched his heart. “Take care of my boy.”
Jude gave the man a solemn nod. “I will.” He meant it with every fiber of his being.
He stepped into the hallway to text his family.
Jude: Looks like I’ll be staying in town for a few weeks.
Dad: Sounds good.
Boone: Yes! Snowfest trophy is ours!
Jude: I’ll be bringing a friend.
Boone: Is she hot?
Jude: It’s a he. And he’s five. The kid I came here for. Seems like he needs more than a bike.
Decker: What’s this now?
Wyatt: You need anything?
That last question pricked his heart.
He’d been on his own for twelve years, out in the world, making his way. He’d served this country, started a business, and hadn’t needed a damn thing from anybody.
Until now. Because he couldn’t pretend he could handle this situation. He needed to lean on his family.
Jude: Yeah. I’m going to need help.
To avoid exposing Finlay and Cody to the club’s party, Jude led them out the back. The snow-covered ground had him glancing down at Finlay’s delicate pink shoes. “You need to swing by your house?”
“No.” She must’ve been surprised by her own vehemence because she closed her mouth and looked away. “Sorry. I’m just not ready to see him yet.” When they reached Carlo’s black Mustang, she busied herself with helping the boy into his booster seat.
After they got on the road, Jude asked quietly, “Are you afraid of him?” Only when she glanced at his hands did he realize how tightly he gripped the leather-wrapped steering wheel. But he couldn’t relax until he got an answer.
“Not at all. It’s nothing like that. Honestly, I just need time to process.” She spoke in a whisper so Cody wouldn’t hear the conversation, but with the loud, rumbly engine, he didn’t think the boy could hear anything.
“You said there’s no hope of getting back with him?”
“None.”
As much as he wanted to know what the fucker had done, it was none of his business. “Well, remember, say the word, and I’ll take you where you need to go.”
“Thank you. Believe me, I know it’s bizarre that I ran out on my wedding an hour ago, and now I’m on my way to buy a bike for Cody, but seeing him in that situation, knowing how scared he is… All I know is he’s become the priority for right now, you know?”
