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“I do. Someone who can help out during the day and occasionally on weekends so we can both work. I have practices, workouts, team meetings, and of course games, and depending on how many hours you work, you can’t do your thing all day and then take on every detail of running the house too.”
Hadley looked thoughtful. “Is there money for that?”
“There’s plenty of money. The house is paid for, and I’ll take over paying utilities and such. That way, most of the money goes into trusts for the kids.”
She nodded. “I don’t make nearly what you do, of course, but I do okay so—”
“No, I’ve got this, Hadley. You’re taking on a big portion of the responsibility when I have to travel, so let me handle the bills. Including the nanny. That makes all of our lives easier, you know?”
“Okay.” She slowly nodded. “That’s reasonable. How about we give this new situation a couple of months and revisit this conversation again then?”
“Sure.”
“But there have to be some ground rules.”
I groaned.
“No bimbos in the house. No puck bunnies, prostitutes, whatever—”
“Prostitutes?!” I narrowed my eyes at her. “Jesus fucking Christ, what kind of asshole do you think I am? First of all, I have never had to pay for sex in my life, thank you very much. And second, I fucking love these kids! You think I’d bring someone like that to the home where we all live?” I got to my feet, glaring at her. “Well, I have news for you, lady—that’s some bullshit right there. You don’t have to like me, but don’t you ever accuse me of doing something that might negatively impact these kids!” I was hot, and not in a good way.
“Wes, I’m sorry. I—” She was still talking, but I raised a hand to stop her as I stalked from the room. A minute later, I slammed the door to the garage behind me. I needed to cool off before I said something I’d regret.
She still pissed me right off, regularly, and it never got easier to deal with her.
I stood in the garage, resting my hands on the now empty work bench Ben had used to work on little projects when he had time. And that’s when the envelope caught my eye. I’d stashed the letter Ben had left me there until I was ready to read it, and if there was ever a time, it was now.
Plucking it from the table, I ripped open the envelope and slowly unfolded the paper. This was going to hurt, but I had to get it over with. I needed my best friend more than I ever had in my life and this was essentially the last time I’d ever talk to him. Even if it was a one-sided conversation.
* * *
Dear Wes,
If you’re reading this, I’m dead, and so is Lauren. It’s hard as hell to even think about that happening, but at least she and I are together.
I know we shocked you by leaving Annalise (and more kids, if we have them) to you and Hadley. Lauren and I went back and forth a lot over whether we should ask you guys, or choose just one of you, but this is the only thing that feels right to us.
Do your best. You think your best isn’t good enough, but it is. I know this is asking a lot of you, and maybe you’ll decide our kids need to be with Hadley. If you do, I know it’ll be the right decision. Just stay in their lives forever. Help them, or Annalise if it’s just her, know who their dad was. Teach them how to play hockey, and how to throw a punch. Help them be happy, if you can. Walk my daughter down the aisle someday.
You’re the brother I never had. I know who you really are, and that’s why I know this decision is right. I want you to have a good life. Do all the things I won’t be able to. Thanks for being my wingman. I love you.
Ben
* * *
For the first time since the night of the accident, I sobbed.
Chapter Six
Hadley
I could be too much sometimes. Several men I’d been in relationships with had said that about me. Too skeptical, too direct and too suspicious. If there were a Hadley Ellis relationship exit interview, those would be the top three reasons men cited for either breaking up with me or being at least a little relieved when I ended things with them.
The qualities that made me a less than ideal girlfriend in men’s eyes, though, had helped me climb the corporate ladder at Willow quickly. Since starting as an entry-level writer fresh out of college seven years ago, I’d gotten several promotions and was now an associate editor.
I’d been in this role for nearly a year, and the list of responsibilities had grown longer in that time. My boss, Liz Cromwell, was…well, not very receptive to the word “no.” She also left no doubt about her stance on things.
