A familiar 4Runner crunches down the dirt path behind me. Jared.
He gets out and eyes me. “Hey, you gatecrashing?”
I shrug. “Just checking things are running smoothly. It’s a new build. Don’t want any surprises.”
He nods, pushing his glasses back. “Becca knows you’re here?”
“No. And I’d prefer to keep it that way.”
Jared leans against his truck and watches me like he’s trying to solve an equation he doesn’t like the answer to. “Is this how it’s going to be for you now? Just … lurking around the perimeter, hoping she forgives you someday?”
I don’t rise to the bait. Instead, I look past the trees to the soft lights flickering near the cabin. My jaw tightens.
“This is where we got married, where she is living now. I’ll always show up here for her. I meant those vows. ‘Better or worse, sickness and health. As long as we both shall live’—that part didn’t end when she moved out after I fucked up.”
Jared nods like he gets it, but something in his eyes flickers.
“Careful,” he warns. “Sometimes standing outside the fire doesn’t mean you’re not still getting burned.”
I look at him, puzzled. Is that regret in his voice?
Before I can ask, he gives me a nod. “Storm’s coming in fast. I'd better get some of the ladies out of here.”
He disappears into the firelight. A few minutes later, his taillights vanish down the road, taking half the party with him. Becca stays behind to clean up, dousing the flames and hustling inside as the wind kicks up.
Once the cabin door closes, I head back to my truck,recline the seat, and pull a blanket over me. It’s pathetic, sure. But it’s all I’ve got left. If I can’t be her husband, I can at least be her shadow. Her silent safety net.
The sky cracks open. A lightning bolt forks across the clouds, and within seconds, rain drums hard against the roof of my truck.
Then, I see movement. The cabin door flies open, and Becca bolts out—barefoot, in sleep shorts, and my old, oversized jacket hanging off her shoulders. She’s dragging a chair to the backside of the cabin, angling it toward the roof.
What the hell is she doing?
I’m out of the truck in an instant, rain pelting me as I grab my jacket and sprint toward her. “Becca! What are you doing?”
“Sam?” She startles, soaking wet, her hair plastered to her face. “Why are you …? Ugh, never mind. The damn skylight handle broke. Rain’s pouring into the kitchen.”
Bennett Fucking Jones, using cheap shit.
I push my murderous thoughts away. “I’ve got it. Get inside.”
She hesitates, then obeys. I pull my truck up under the overhang and climb the tailgate to reach the roof. The window is wide open, and sure enough, the handle’s snapped. Sloppy work from Jones. I push it closed gently and climb down, grabbing some rags from the toolbox to clean up inside.
By the time I step into the cabin, thunder is rattling the beams and I’m drenched to the bone. Becca is crouched on the kitchen floor, wiping rainwater with a towel. My jacket nearly swallows her … and something in me tightens seeing my clothes on her body.
“I’ve got it, babe. You go warm up.” I ease her to the side and mop up the rest.
Outside, the storm keeps raging. But inside the cabin, it’s quiet, intimate with our closeness.
“Thanks,” she says after a moment. “I called Bennett twice, but he never answered. Figured he’d care since I was trying to make an extra payment.”
My jaw tightens, but I keep my tone level. “Sometimes this happens, with newer builders, working fast. But don’t worry, I can get this replaced with some quality hardware tomorrow so you or future guests don’t have to worry about this again.” I clear my throat. “Besides, he’s on to the next job already.”
Wrapped in a blanket, she manages to put her hands on her hips, looking up, disapproving of me. “And how did he get to move on so quickly?”
I sigh, “You know how. I’m sorry I jumped in without asking you. I shouldn’t have done that. But dammit, Becca, you needed the help. And if I hadn’t thrown our money away, you wouldn’t have been in that position.”
She purses her lips, wanting to hold onto her anger. “How did you really get all that money? You’re really telling me that budgeting and baseball cards covered all of it?” She narrows her eyes. “So what, you started an OnlyFans behind my back?”
