Page 41 of The Biggest Sacrifice

“Why do you want to help me? Before I came home, you were trying to move in on my girl.”

“Again, you’ve got no girl. But we’re going to get you there.” When I glower at him, he continues, “Listen, I came here with nothing. No direction, no idea what to do, but when I got a call to be anywhere but where I was, I grabbed it.” Don’t I know that feeling? “With a town named Christmas, I expected to find a lot of old people who went to knitting meetings on Mondays and Bingo on Fridays. But what I found was so much more.”

Turning away from him, I can’t look at him when he says the words. I know where he’s going with this.

“There is so much here for you, and you’re missing it. I know how it is to live like that. And after spending time with your family and friends, I don’t want you or me to lose that. Coming here, gave that back to me. And I think I’m here to make sure you grab hold of it again, too.”

“You’re getting awfully sentimental, O’Brien.”

He shrugs. “It’s who I am. I don’t hold back because I’ve learned tomorrow is never promised. So if I feel a certain way or think a certain thought, it’s coming out. I’m letting everyone know who needs to hear it. It may be wrong, it may be right, it may be overstepping, but I won’t apologize for it. You’ll always know where you stand with me.”

I nod, taking more of my beer.

“When you’re ready, I’m here. But I wouldn’t wait too long.”

I scoff. “Okay Nosey Nancy, wait for who? You? Or Farrah?” I laugh at him but quiet down when he replies.

“Both. But mostly for you.” I watch him. “Farrah is not mine to take. She’s yours to hold on to. You’ve got to tell her. Tom, I know what you’re going through. When we lost JT, I got out. I couldn’t do it to my family anymore-”

My heart stutters in my chest. My blood runs cold and every hair on my body stands up at the mention of that name.

“What did you say?” I ask slowly, barely getting the words out.

“My cousin. He was killed overseas. So as soon as my time was up, I left. I couldn’t bear to have my family suffer a second time, if something were to happen to me.”

My head is spinning. Thoughts of JT and being there and that night swirl in my head. “No. His name. What did you call him?”

“JT.”

“Is this a joke?” My voice is getting louder as I jump from the couch, my hands shaking. The need to get away from him is so urgent, but the need to know what he’s talking about is stronger and holds me in place.

“No! What the fuck, Tom!” I don’t let him finish before I’m charging him, grabbing his shirt, and yanking him to me. “What are you doing?”

Holding him close by his shirt, I yell into his face. “Tell me his name!”

“JT Tomlin!”

I freeze, still with my hands wrapped up in Cash’s shirt. I’m looking into his eyes, and I yank him even closer. “You asshole! What do you know? Who told you?”

“Let go of me!” He shakes me off. “What the fuck are you going on about? It’s my cousin who’s dead. Why the fuck are you gett-”

Silence. We both stop and stare at each other, the thoughts quickly forming a complete puzzle. And ever so quietly, Cash whispers, “Oh my God. You served with him.”

I step back, dropping my hands from his shirt and nod once. I’m unable to string a sentence together.

“Tell me what happened. I have to know the details, Tom. Please.”

I shake my head. “Don’t make me.”

“Oh, my God,” Cash says for the second time and falls onto the couch as I stumble to the chair next to it. His head whips around and he spins, hitting me with an incredulous look. “You’re TC? Fuck! Tom Casanova. Why didn’t I put this together sooner?” He scrubs his face, then looks at me again. “You’ve met my aunt and uncle. And Jamie.”

I nod again. Jamie. JT’s fiance, who has continued to keep tabs on me, though I brush her off as often as I can. I can’t bring myself to even ask about her. I sink deeper into the chair I’m in and watch as Cash stands. “Got anything stronger than beer?”

CHAPTER 23

CASH

“Of all thefucking towns to come to.” I walk in the direction Tom pointed to and grab the first bottle I see. Tennessee Whiskey. Salted caramel to boot. Of course. I close my eyes and picture my cousin and smile. “You led me right to him.” I whisper.

---