“Bailey. Take the cash. You deserve a fresh start. You deserve a fair chance at what everyone else gets. Take the money and make it happen. I don’t need it.”
“Beau … ” Her head tilts, confusion painting her features.
“No, listen. You need out of this town. For a while there, I thought you didn’t. For a while, I thought I could make it better here for you. But the truth is, you made my life better, so much fucking better, and I worry I made yours worse.”
She looks stricken by my words.
But she still takes the tray before turning back into her trailer.
“So you’re just going to keep making her breakfast? And sending her on her way?”
I flip the bacon with my phone wedged between my ear and my shoulder, trying to ignore what a smug prick Jasper sounds like on the phone.
“Yeah. She was up late. I could see the lights on in her trailer. And she needs to leave. It’s what’s best for her.”
“Dude, I told you to tell her. I hope she makes you bring her breakfast for years.”
“Fuck you.”
Jasper laughs. “You could use a little humbling. It’s good for you. Builds character.”
“I’m full of character!” Bacon grease splashes me on the hand, and I pull it away, shaking it out.
“You’re full of shit, is what you are. And she figured you out.”
“Jas, what the fuck? You’re supposed to be my brother from another mother. What is this tough love garbage? I thought you were on my team.”
“It’s a kick in the pants. Wake up, Beau. You’re not the same person you used to be. The class clown, the shiny, happy hero. Now you’re a mere mortal, like the rest of us. One who makes dumb mistakes. One who doesn’t get everything handed over to him easily.”
“Hey, I—”
“I know, I know,” Jasper placates me. “Not everything has been easy. But your path has always been clear cut. The decisions you make are obvious. Did you even think twice about going back into that bunker to get Micah?”
“No,” I grumble. “I already knew I was going to.”
“Yeah. Exactly. So what’s your plan for this? You gonna keep working a job you hate in a town you clearly feel uncomfortable in because of your misplaced sense of duty while she leaves and lives her life? You’ve got a choice to make, and I’m not sure you realize it. You going with her or not? You keep saying that leaving is what’s best for her, but what about what’s best for you?”
“I have a plan,” I mumble. Because I do. I have for quite some time. I just haven’t told anyone. Haven’t given anyone the honest truth about my plans in years, and the only person I’m going to change that with is Bailey. Truthfully, I don’t want any input. I trust my judgment where she’s concerned. I haven’t felt such a single-minded purpose since before my accident.
And her comment about not sharing our business with everyone hit home.
She and I.
We started out as a secret but turned into so much more. Even though we’re both doing our own thing right now, it always feels like we’re …
Alone together.
“She’ll probably meet someone a lot less old than you in the city,” Jasper prods me and jealousy lashes at my stomach even though I know he’s joking.
“You and I are the same age, dick.”
“Yup.” He pops the P, and I hear the clatter of him doing something in his kitchen. Lazy fucker could have just driven over to see me. “Old enough to know better.”
“Good lord, man—” I stop when I see Bailey step out of her trailer. She’s wearing a pretty white dress and a denim jacket, and her hair is all silky and freshly brushed. I know she’s been showering at the gym. Summer told me so with a piercing glare that dripped with don’t fuck this up.
I glance at my watch, realizing it’s pretty early for her to be leaving already. I don’t want to miss her.
“Gotta go, Jas. Bye.” I hang up on him before he can get another word in and toss the bacon in the waiting bun, complete with tomato, lettuce, and mayo. Then I wrap it in a paper towel and race to the front door, where I know the path around the side of the house will take her.
“Bailey. Wait!” I call right as I rip the door open and bound down the stairs. “I made you breakfast.”
She stops in her tracks and turns to look at me. “You don’t need to keep making me breakfast.”
“You were up late.”