“Anytime.”
He heads for the archway but turns back before he leaves. “You’re always welcome back. Delilah’s welcome, too.”
“Thanks, but I’m wanting a solid future with her, man. Not sure working for King can offer that.”
Nodding, he says, “Understandable. Night.”
“Night.”
Cruise stuck to his word. He was long gone by morning, leaving Delilah disappointed. She probably hoped she could gain more insight into me if he stuck around a little longer. And she probably could have. I slide my hands around her waist from behind and kiss the nape of her neck. “Now you’re stuck having to listen to me telling you all the stories.”
“But you hold back.”
“I don’t hold back. I just don’t share the ugly details you don’t need haunting that pretty head.”
“I’ve told you. I can handle the truth.”
“Okay. Here’s some truth for you. I once stood guard outside a dressing room while an A-list actor fucked two women. It took him ten minutes to get off during a fifteen-minute break. He rehearsed his lines while doing it. When he returned to the set, he nailed the scene. He nailed them too, but—”
“Ew, Jason”—she spins in my arms—“it’s not even nine in the morning.”
Laughing, I ask, “Is there a better time of day to tell a story like that?”
“Yes, like when I’ve had wine or at least lunch. Or not at all. That’s not a good story.”
“I didn’t say they were all good. I said they were ugly. I learned a lot about people and how they operate. How power is used and abused, and the way money twists the human psyche to make them greedy. It’s not like that here. It’s still good. You’re still pure.”
“I’m not so innocent.”
“None of us are, but we don’t have to live like it’s the apocalypse either.”
Rubbing against me, I can tell she’s working up to get more intimate. “I am so glad you came back.” Her hand wraps around my morning erection. “What do you think about—?”
“Yes. Just like that.”
“Really? I was thinking my mouth might do a better job.”
I still her hand. “Don’t let me keep you then.”
After enjoying each other for breakfast, we work our way downstairs for actual food an hour later. “What time did Cruise leave?” she asks.
“I heard him leave around five.” It was good seeing him, but nothing felt quite right with him around. It was as if he carried in a cloud of darkness I thought I’d left behind.
I start to laugh when I see what he left me on the kitchen table. A sealed envelope propped against a bag of Oreos. Delilah passes me and grabs the cookies. “I love Oreos. Can I have one?”
“You can have as many as you want.” My gaze goes to the envelope. Taking it in hand, I recognize the name on the front—Eric, my old alias—making me smile. I open it, pull the note out, and read:
Glad you found a reason to stay.
A friend once told me that everything is sweeter when you’ve found your reason to stay. She was right.
22
Delilah
Jason and I have been playing house for weeks, happily avoiding the outside world as much as possible. We don’t venture much beyond the property line, except to run errands for the basics or visit his mom. Though it’s been nice when she comes around here as well.
Billy also hangs out with us, sometimes to help and other times to drink a few beers. It’s a peaceful existence.
Too peaceful.
Peeking out the window, I spy just the guy I need to talk to and run into the barn to find Billy. “Billy?”
He comes out from the area where we keep old equipment. “Yeah?”
“Have you heard from Cole lately?”
“Saw him yesterday at the gas station. What’s up?”
“He doesn’t usually take his ego getting bruised so lightly.” I dig my teeth into my lower lip and look back at the house where Jason is showering.
Sitting on a stump of wood my dad used for a chair, Billy takes off his cowboy hat and runs a hand through his hair. “Are you talking about what happened at Red River between him and Jason?”
“Yeah.” I lean against the frame of the open barn door and cross my arms over my chest. “I’ve been worried, living every day like he’s about to strike. Is he?”
“You don’t have to worry, Delilah. You have Jason around. He’s not going to let Cole step foot on this farm.”
“I don’t want Jason fighting this battle. I don’t want Jason near Cole at all. It won’t end well. You know that.”
“Jason can handle himself. I saw him pin Cole to the ground by a neck hold in like two seconds flat. The guy’s got a lethal side.”
You’re telling me. “When did that happen?”
“When Jason first arrived in town. Same place. Red River.”
Jason didn’t tell me. Why? We both look back toward the house when we hear the screen door slam closed. My heartbeat picks up. Pushing off the barn, I point at Billy. “I’m serious. I don’t want Jason and Cole near each other. You’ll let me know if you hear about Cole coming out here?”