“I’m not talking about the car plowing into my family.” Shaking my head, I huff a hollow laugh. “You and your brothers should have taken care of him well before now. He shouldn’t still be on this earth to be driving!”
That gets his attention; his blond head snaps to me.
“You’ve been fucking around with him for years. This”—I point at the bed—“is on the three of you.” I mean it.
For years, I’ve ignored the obvious issues in this fucking town. The Cromwells aren’t as sneaky as they think they are, but up until now, it’s not been my business. After all, they don’t interfere with my extra activities. I tell him as much.
“We’ll take care of it.”
It’s not good enough.
“No, you had your chance.” I glare.
“We’re Shelby’s family,” he reminds me.
I let his words sink in.
If I take care of Cooper, the Cromwells will have something on me, and that just won’t do.
Keeping my eyes on the bed, I offer, “Then maybe it needs to be a family event.”
No other words are spoken on the matter, but the silence says it all.
“Can you stay with her?” I whisper, “I need to see Riley. Just show myself that she’s okay, but I don’t want to leave Shelby alone.”
Kaleb nods. “Of course.” Turning away from the sleeping women, he promises, “We’ll stay as long as you need.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Leonard
Leaning against the back passenger door, I take another breath, the hot air clouds as it mixes with the winter night.
“Everything okay, Doctor?”
I open my eyes at Duke’s voice.
The old gas station owner stands near the back of my Jag, wringing his hands.
“Sorry.” I apologize, pushing off the door.
“Nothing to apologize for, son. I just thought you’d head straight off after paying.”
I give a small smile. “Just needed a minute.”
“I hear it was bad.”
More than you will ever know.
I keep the thought to myself. “Could have been worse,” I mutter instead. And it could have been. I could have lost three people today instead of just one.
The thought makes me feel sick.
Opening the driver’s side door, I sink into my seat.
“Shelby’s a good kid.”
She’s twenty-three, but I don’t correct him.
