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While walking back to the truck, I scan the area. Everything looks normal, except the car parked next to my truck.
Instantly recognizing it, that car stands out in this town.
Shit.
21
Jason
Up ahead, leaning against the passenger door is someone I never thought I’d see again. When I stop walking, Delilah asks, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I lower my voice so only she can hear me. “Will you wait in the truck for me?”
“You’re scaring me, Jason.”
My gaze slides to her. “I don’t mean to. Everything’s fine, but I need a few minutes, okay?”
“Okay.” She walks ahead, staring at the man as she passes. When she looks back over her shoulder, I catch her eyes and give a smile I hope reassures her. As soon as Delilah is tucked safely inside the truck, I cover the last few steps. I always expected my crimes to come back to haunt me. I just didn’t see them coming back tonight. Crossing my arms, I ask, “What brings you to town?”
Cruise, an old ally, isn’t uptight, but he seems particularly at ease tonight. He comes over and offers his hand. “You left in a hurry.”
Happily, I shake it. “You been missing me?”
“Ha.” He smiles and steps back to give me space, always a respectful friend. “Kind of.”
Chuckling, I drop my guard. “Yeah, I get it. I’m a likeable guy. I was underappreciated in the Kingwood world.”
That makes him laugh. “Probably so, but it was easier not to trust than be stabbed in the back.”
“Understandable.” I glance at Delilah, who’s watching us through the window. I give her a nod to put her worries at ease. After my confessions, I don’t think she’s feeling as comfortable as we are about this encounter. “Is this a social visit?”
“Not really. Got some time?”
I can trust him, so I tell him to follow me to the farm. When I hop into the cab of the truck, Delilah asks, “Who is that?”
“An old friend.” I reverse the truck and put it into drive.
“Who is he, though? Why is he showing up here at almost nine o’clock at night looking for you? Please don’t lie to me.”
“I don’t lie to you, Delilah. I told you more than I should already.” Cruise is behind me as we head out of town. “We used to work together.”
She gasps an octave too high for the small space of this cab. “Killing people?”
Resting my hand on the bare skin of her thigh, I give her a gentle squeeze. “I don’t think he’s killed anyone. You can ask him when we get to the farmhouse.”
“He’s coming home with us?”
I glance between her and the road. “He’s one of the good guys, Delilah. You don’t need to worry about him.”
“Are you one of the good guys?”
“Depends who you ask.” I wink at her.
That gets me a punch to the arm and has me laughing. “I’m asking you, Jason.”
“Yes, I am. Why are you so serious?”
She rolls her eyes and sits back. “How are good and bad defined in your world?”
Man, she’s laser-focused on this. “The same as in your world but with bloodshed.”
She turns away and looks out over the dark fields dotted with the occasional farmhouse. “That’s dark.”
I grip the steering wheel, tempted to turn on some music and not have this conversation. Avoidance isn’t an option for us anymore. “That’s why I came home.”
“Why are you home? You didn’t come back for me. You thought I was still married.”
“I wasn’t living the life I wanted. I missed my mom.” Checking my rearview mirror, I mumble, “I missed you.”
The warmth of her hand penetrates the cotton sleeve of my shirt when she reaches over. “I shouldn’t have, but I missed you, too. Jason?”
I glance over. “Yeah?”
Her fine features are barely visible in the dark, but I see her eyes on mine. “I have to tell you something.”
“What is it? I want to know everything about you.”
She laughs. “You make me sound so interesting when I’m the same as I always was, stuck in the same town where you left me.”
“I hate that you think I left you on purpose. I left dejected, but guess what?”
“What?”
“Together, two broken hearts can be whole again.” I ask, “What’s your confession?”
“I feel silly telling you this, especially knowing I’m to blame for the mistakes I’ve made.”
“We all have things we’d like to change. Some we can. Some we can’t. Doesn’t matter as long as we grow from the experience.” I smirk, though she can’t see me.
After a soft laugh, she says, “I used to fantasize about being married to you and how glorious each day would be. We would have a family and run the farm but go on great adventures around the world. I never even made it to Paris.”
“I’ve not been to Paris, either. How about we go together?” I turn onto the property and drive up the dirt road to the house. “And there’s nothing wrong with fantasizing about a future together. We were dating, and it was serious; it’s only natural. I had the same dreams.”
