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“No, it’s not. Don’t do that, man.”
“I put all this in motion with that accident. I am so sorry, Carter.”
“I’m not,” I tell him. He whips his head in my direction and looks at me like I’m insane. “If we hadn’t had that accident, I never would have met Lexie. Being with her at our worst is still better than any day without her.”
“You and this love bullshit.” He laughs.
“What can I say, I’m a romantic.”
“An idiot is more like it.”
“Now, tell me about you. How are things going here?”
“I like it here. Almost two months, man. I feel good. Knowing that you don’t hate me for what happened to Luke, not to mention what I’ve done to you, helps.”
“I wish you would have talked to me, said something. I had no idea you felt like that.”
“Guilt, it’s a bitch, but it’s good now. I’m on the right path. Thanks to you.”
“Nope, this is all you. You made a choice, and you want this. All I did was help with some logistics.”
“So, what’s next?”
I hand Cody the envelope I’ve been holding. It contains everything about the Foundation, including what his role will be when he gets out of here. I had initially wanted to involve him now to give him something to do while he’s in here. However, speaking with his therapist, he made it clear that Cody’s focus should remain on his recovery, especially considering all his relapses. He did say it was okay for me to give him opportunities of things to look forward to. Plus, I thought he would get a kick out of the logo Chase’s stepdaughter came up with for us. It’s amazing.
“This looks great,” he says with a smile.
“I’m hoping Lexie will help now that she’s back home and that we can build on this friendship we’ve started. Make a real go of it this time without all the bullshit behind it.”
“I hope so, too.”
“What’s with you and this anti-woman thing?” I laugh. “Oh man, there was someone wasn’t there?”
“None of your damn business, asshole.”
“Oh, come on. Sure you don’t want to talk about it?” I tease.
“I have therapists for that shit.” Cody laughs. “I’m good. Tell me more about the Foundation.”
This, right here, is the brother I remember. Seeing shades of him, it makes me hopeful. We talk for a while longer until I need to head back home.
“Hey, Carter?”
“Yeah?”
“Tell Lexie I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt her in any way.”
“I will,” I tell him, pulling him in for a hug. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
* * *
Pulling in the driveway of my house after my drive back from visiting Cody, a figure is standing on my porch. I hop out of my truck, skip going in through the garage entrance like I usually would, and head to the front door.
“Hey, princess, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
She’s standing there, hands on her hips, looking at me expectantly.
