Page 67 of Studfinder

“I’m not seeing a shrink.”

“She’s not a shrink. She’s a therapist who specializes in guilt. She’s different from a criminal psychologist. She isn’t profiling you. She’s here to help you.”

“I don’t need—”

“Yes, you do,” I cut him off. “And your brother asked me to find someone for you.”

This is addiction 101. You cannot help those who won’t help themselves, but sometimes a strong intervention is necessary, and the push someone needs to get over their hurdle.

Nolan remains quiet for a second, glaring at me with eyes similar to his brother’s but harder, tougher. It’s unfair as his brother is the one who lost out on time, and he isn’t nearly as hardened as the man before me.

“I need an assistant for my new position as director of Building Buddies. We have social media to maintain and a website to update. We host two fundraisers a year, and I need help organizing them. I know nothing about parties, and I’m told you do.” My eyes narrow but a slight grin forms on my lips. Nolan smirks, and I recognize the trait amongst brothers. “You wouldn’t be paid. This is service.”

I let that sink in.

“Finally, I want to organize a youth group that works on projects during summer breaks. My fiancé was a high school principal.” I pause, letting the information settle although Nolan must already know my personal connection to his crime. “He used to bring a group of teens together for a project every year, and they’d help us build a home for a family in need.”

“I can’t build anything,” Nolan states, sarcasm filling his voice as he taps his chair.

“Maybe not, but you can supervise. You can organize, and you might even be able to instruct. If nothing else, I’d hope you could encourage young minds to get involved in their community and help others.”

Nolan’s quiet for a long minute before speaking. “What if I don’t want to do this restorative bullshit?”

“Then you’ve shown your brother you don’t love him as you should for all he’s done for you.”

Nolan’s face hardens once more, but his eyes soften just a touch.

“I’m not going to defer this decision to Jake. This is my offer. If you want it, here’s an address to report to tomorrow. If you don’t show, I’ll have my answer, and I’ll tell Jake he’ll need to look elsewhere for you.”

Quickly, I stand and cross the room, but Nolan’s chair is in a position that blocks my exit. His eyes follow me as I near him.

“Why would you do this?” He pauses. “Why would you give me this job, this service?”

Taking a deep breath, I exhale before stating the truth.

“Because I believe in second chances. Good people make bad decisions all the time. And because I’m in love with your brother.”

I step left, hoping to go around Nolan, finding there’s just enough space to squeeze past the chair. As I attempt my move, Nolan catches my wrist to stop me beside him.

“He didn’t move in with you?” The question is the first sign of reluctance I’ve heard from Nolan.

“Did he tell you he was?”

“No. I just assumed he was going to your place. When he moved out, he told me he picked you.”

“Picked me?” I scoff. I hadn’t spoken to Jake in days.

“He said he’d choose you every time.” It sounds sweet, but it’s completely untrue. However, I didn’t wish to argue with Nolan.

“Monday,” I warn, dread filling me that Nolan won’t show, and Jake will know how his brother feels about him.

27

Jake

It’s another Monday, and we have one week left to finalize this house. I’m not part of the final touches inside, so I’m commissioned to work on the landscaping. A ramp has been made to accommodate the owner’s son, who has multiple medical concerns. His room is my favorite. The special lamp I made for him worked, and it was hung near his bed. The interior decorator really liked it and commissioned me for a few other lamps and lanterns.

I’m already working outside the house when something catches my eye, or rather, someone working a wheelchair up the new driveway.