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I pull out my phone, a new one I got a little over a week ago, and push the contact button for Kincaid.
“I feel stuck,” I say the second he answers.
I’ve learned that every person who works in Cerberus is extremely laid back on most things. It doesn’t matter if it’s Legacy who joined when I did or one of the guys in management. I can talk to them the same way.
“I thought the two of you were getting along well.” There’s a hint of knowledge in his voice I didn’t provide.
Another thing I’ve learned about Cerberus is the men gossip like old women sitting around the kitchen table.
“Physically,” I correct. “I’m here all day. What are the chances I can borrow a vehicle?”
“You have an assigned vehicle.”
I narrow my eyes despite being on the phone rather than standing in front of him. “I have a vehicle?”
“Yeah. You know you—oh. Well, shit.”
I huff at his reaction.
“I’ll have one of the guys bring it to you.”
“That would be great.”
“Sorry about forgetting… you know.”
Laughter bubbles from my chest. “Honestly, sometimes I do, too.”
We hang up and as promised, less than an hour later, Legacy and Stormy show up in matching SUVs. They don’t stick around long, leaving in the one Stormy drove up in.
The set of keys in my hand feels more significant than any other set of keys have ever felt. They carry a sense of freedom. I could literally go anywhere, but the only place I can think of going is to the care facility.
The morning was chaotic, and I know Sunshine left without something for lunch. I also know she probably won’t get to leave to get something to eat. Knowing her like I do, she won’t want to spend money on anything for herself. It’s one of the things we’re working on.
I’m grateful Max from the clubhouse was confident enough in my return to health because he worked diligently to replace the things he knew would be lost in my wallet the night I was hurt, including my driver’s license and social security card.
I leave the house determined to turn the day around for everyone, including an ice cream cone to celebrate Ryder’s first day of school once he’s released.
I swing by Sunshine’s favorite Chinese food place and grab the number four, reminding myself that it doesn’t matter that I dislike orange chicken because it tastes great on her lips.
My phone rings, interrupting the GPS because I haven’t been back to her work since I left as a patient.
“You’re interrupting the woman telling me where to go,” I say when the call connects with Legacy.
The man has become a pretty great friend.
“Didn’t I warn you about letting women get under your skin?”
I chuckle. “And didn’t I tell you that if you had a woman like Sunshine, you’d feel differently? Plus, I’m talking about GPS, asshole.”
“So, you’re saying I need to take my shot with Sunshine?”
“What do you want me to wear to your funeral?”
He chuckles. “Clearly you’d be in an orange jumpsuit.”
“It would be worth it,” I say but there’s humor in my voice. I know he’d never even attempt to hook up with her.
Not only is Legacy a great man and loyal friend, he also isn’t the type to settle down either. He has enough respect to only go after women not looking for anything serious. He’s not a heartbreaker—his own admission—and he doesn’t like complicated and messy. I almost took his head off when he made an offhanded comment about baggage, referring to Ryder.
I press a button on the screen so the map comes back up as I slow down for a yellow light.
“I won’t be able to talk long. I’m heading to take Sunshine lunch.”
“How was the school drop-off this morning?”
I take a deep breath. “I assume it was good.”
I’d spoken with a couple of guys last Wednesday. Cerberus had a back-to-school party for the kids, and we were invited. I tried to focus more on Ryder having a good time than getting distracted over the fact that I once called the place home because it was weird going back to a place I couldn’t remember ever being.
I knew I still had a room there, but I couldn’t bring myself to go into it.
“You didn’t go?”
“I wasn’t invited,” I counter.
There’s another round of silence. He knows I was looking forward to it. I couldn’t hide my excitement, much like I use us and we more now when speaking with anyone because my life is no longer filled with me, my, and I.
Following the map, I make the turn on to the street the care facility is on. The sight of her standing in the parking lot brings a smile to my face, but then I see the man standing in front of her.
Travis Golding.
My blood runs thin.
