Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

Nope. Don’t think about her.

Besides, he couldn’t imagine Thea in that space. It would overwhelm her.

Not with you there to take care of her.

Shut. Up.

“I don’t live there anymore.”

“You don’t?”

“No, I moved back to the family estate.”

Now that did surprise him. He wouldn’t have thought Jardin wanted to live with his family again. Not that he didn’t love them, but they weren’t an overly demonstrative lot. Then again, neither was Jardin.

“And what does the size matter? Does a place have to be huge for me to like it?”

“Come off it, Jardin. This place is a shit hole in comparison.”

“This is not a shit hole.”

“Well, no. But it’s not a palace, either.”

“You think I could only be happy in a palace?”

Carrick shrugged. He didn’t want to say it, but, yeah.

“Fine. Then I’ll move in here.”

Carrick had just taken a swig of beer that he’d pulled from his fridge when he heard those words. He choked on the mouthful.

“What?”

“Well, obviously, not right now. Not unless you want me to. But when we’re ready for that step. I’ll move in here.”

“Jardin, you’re not moving in here.”

“Like I said, when we’re ready.”

Christ, he was no less of a bulldozer than he had been two years ago. In fact, he might be more of one.

“No. Never.”

A flash of hurt filled Jardin’s face and Carrick cursed. “I didn’t mean . . . when the time is right, I want to live with you, I just meant . . . fuck. I’m bad at this shit.”

“Talking?”

“Yeah. Talking. I’ll move in with you. You can’t live here. This place isn’t right for you.”

“I don’t give a fuck where I live,

so long as I’m with you.”

They were nice words, but he didn’t truly believe them.

“Maybe we should table that for now. Want a beer?” he asked.

Jardin nodded, taking the beer Carrick offered him. Since they’d gotten there, there was a kind of awkwardness between them. As though neither knew what to say.