Page 97 of Just One Night Together
“That’s not my intention,” she said, meaning every word and hearing her own vehemence. “I just don’t know about this job yet.”
Brad studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “And maybe you don’t know about him. Fair enough. At least I know you won’t take long to decide. It’s just not in you to dither.” He bumped her shoulder companionably. “And I’m glad to hear the news that isn’t news. Mom will be talking up Garrett, but between you and me, I never thought he deserved you.”
Haley blinked, because she was sure that everyone thought Garrett was amazing—and that she’d made a big mistake letting him ‘slip away.’ She eyed Brad. “Really?”
“Really. You like to do things for people. You’re nice. He likes to be the center of the world. I wasn’t sure who was going to take care of you in that relationship.” Brad nodded then opened the door, raising his voice to a shout. “Anybody home? Haley’s here!”
There was a squeal of excitement and Haley was surrounded by her excited nieces and nephew before she could even get past the foyer. She glimpsed Brad and Katie in their features and her heart twisted in a strange new way.
She’d never thought much about having kids. Motherhood had never been her objective even with Garrett. A career was something she could count on. But as she was swept into what Brad cheerfully called domestic chaos, Haley felt a yearning for something absent from her life.
Maybe a good job and an ornery cat wasn’t enough.
Garrett was divorced.
Twelve
All of thepartners were present at the Wednesday night business meeting at F5F, since Kyle and Theo had flown back for Natasha’s funeral. Damon was a little self-conscious about causing so much disruption, but they expressed their sympathy and asked what they could do to help.
It was just as Haley had said. They really did have his back.
Damon couldn’t even count the number of times they insisted he should have told them.
He’d brought the final plans for the layout of F5F West, and that was the first order of business. They pored over the plans and Cassie planned the opening even as Ty crunched the costs for the construction. After the ideas were discussed and changes decided upon, Damon cleared his throat.
“There’s one more thing I have to tell you,” he admitted.
“The biter,” Kyle said, wagging a finger at him. “Who is she?” Everyone laughed but Damon didn’t answer.
He folded his hands together and his manner made them all sober. “I never told you that I was USMC. I served in Afghanistan.” He swallowed, aware that he had their complete attention. “And I have PTSD.”
Theo gave a low whistle. “That’s a big load to carry alone, even without your mom being sick.”
Cassie moved to Damon’s side and put her hand over his. “What can we do?”
“I’m getting to that.” Damon took a deep breath. “I went for therapy and learned coping strategies when I left the service, and that worked until my mom got sick. The nightmares came back, which I guess is pretty typical, but now they’ve changed. My therapist thinks this is a good thing and something to work with, so he wants me to participate in an intense program. He wants to see if he can take my healing to the next step.”
“Boston,” Ty said quietly.
“Boston,” Damon agreed. “For a month.”
Kyle spun in his chair, then pointed at Theo. “How about you take point on the construction out west? I could stay here and make sure the shifts at the club are covered.”
“No problem,” Theo said, indicating the plans. “With this, we can really get rolling.”
“Maybe we can open by June,” Cassie said. She smiled at Damon. “I’m up for three nights a week in the club for the month, so you can take that program.”
“Thanks, Cassie.”
“I’ll do Fridays,” Ty said. “And don’t forget we have Hunter now.”
“Thursdays and Saturdays are mine,” Kyle said. He grabbed a pad of paper and started to make notes. “What about your personal coaching?” he asked. “I can take them while you’re away, if you update me on each member.”
“I’ve got notes on each one of them,” Damon said. “Goals and progress, strengths and weaknesses, areas to push.”
“Great. It should be easy for me to step in.”
“You won’t miss me at all,” Damon teased, relieved that it had been so easily managed.
