“You said you came back for me. If that’s true, then I want to know everything.”
“You said I’m too young for you, that we’re related. Now you’re using what I said against me to get information I’m not willing to give.”
TJ hissed. “That’s not—”
“That is exactly what you’re trying to do.” Cody tilted his head. Well, TJ wanted to know, so be it. Cody moved closer to TJ and TJ backed away, but Cody kept moving until TJ’s back hit the wall. “You want to know the truth?” Cody whispered. “Want to know how I went back? How I blocked up all the exits? How I poured gas all over the building? How I stood and watched it burn? How I did nothing when they screamed in pain and fear?” Cody backed off. “Of course, I have no idea if any of that actuallyhappened. I got the body and left. All I do know is they won’t be hurting anyone else again.”
“Who the fuck are you?” TJ muttered.
“I told you I’m not that Cody anymore. The one who ran away. He is dead and I like who I am now.”
“Who you are is a murderer.” TJ shoved away from the wall and paced the kitchen. “Fuck.”
“Do you really think that?”
“Yes!” TJ shouted.
“Do you know what I didn’t tell you?”
“Go on. Try and make this better. I’m waiting.”
“I didn’t tell you about the two kids I saved.”
TJ stopped pacing. “What?”
“Two kids. Five and six. In a cage inside the barn. They’d already been hurt.” Cody stared at TJ until he saw the horror of realization cross his face. “I saved them. Took them to Doc, who helped find their parents. Took them home. Made sure they received all the treatment they needed.” Cody walked over to the window and leaned on the counter as he stared outside. “This world isn’t an easy place to live in, and some bad things happen to good people. Only now there are fewer bad people on it.” Turning around, Cody leaned a hip on the counter. “Hate me all you want, but I did what was right. I took the boy home to his family so they could say their goodbyes and I saved two kids. When you think about what I’ve told you, remember that.”
TJ staggered over to a chair and dropped into it, head in his hands, then lifted it to stare at the wall. Cody watched TJ’s chest move with every breath he took and waited. He knew TJ would be working through everything he’d told him. “The kids. Do you know how they are?”
“They’re good. Recovering well. A good family and therapist and time have helped. I saved them two years ago now. I had to recover first before I was ready to face my past.”
“They were lucky you found them.”
Cody sat at the table opposite TJ. Reaching out, Cody placed his hand over TJ’s. “Please don’t think less of me.”
TJ’s eyes flickered to his, and he shook his head. “I’m trying to reconcile the Cody sitting here who’s told me what happened to the Cody who left. I don’t know you now.”
“No, you don’t. Like I said, that Cody died a long time ago. I like who I am now. I like the direction my life is going. I have plans to make a difference, to help others.”
“Counseling. Is that what you want to do?”
“It is. I think I could be good at it, as well. I want to make a difference, show others that they can overcome adversity.”
“I think you’d make a great therapist. Shit, Cody.” TJ turned his hand over and laced their fingers together. “You recovered and went back… I don’t know if I could do that.”
“Sometimes you have to face your past to overcome it.”
“Is that really why you returned to the barn?”
“Yes and no.”
TJ exhaled softly. “You know I can understand why you did it and don’t say you didn’t. The man in me agrees, but the sheriff…”
“Do you wish you didn’t know? I’d have had to tell you at some point. I plan to be naked with you. Can’t ignore the scars then.” TJ tugged his hand free, and Cody rolled his eyes. “What? No sleeping with the sexual assault survivor?”
“Fuck you.”
“One day. Maybe.” Cody grinned when TJ’s mouth fell open, then laughed when it snapped shut.
