Page 61 of Boss with Benefits

Deacon shook his head. “You are making the biggest mistake of your entire life, and all I can do is stand here helpless and watch.”

Brady’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think it’s a mistake. Becoming a serious artist is what I’ve always wanted. Running an ad agency was just a means to do what I love and make enough money to keep the wolves away. Now that I have the money, I can live my passion.”

“Jessica is your passion.”

“Don’t start.”

“Excuse me if I believe in facing the truth and not running from it.”

Brady’s jaw tightened. “I am not running from anything. I’m following my dream, something you should support since I supported you and this whole shrink business.”

Deacon stuffed both hands in his trouser pockets and kicked at an invisible rock. “I’m trying to be supportive by tellingyou that you are making a big mistake. I’d like my best friend to be happy, and you won’t be without Jessica.”

“So now you’re a mind-reader as well as psychic?”

“You’ve never felt this way about a woman before. Tell me I’m wrong.”

Brady couldn’t. Leaving her had been the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he couldn’t go back. They couldn’t be together. It wouldn’t work out.

“You know why I can’t be a husband,” Brady said. “Or a father.”

“I know why youthinkyou can’t, but as I’ve told you a million times, you are not your father.”

“There is no guarantee I won’t become him if I stay married to Jess and have a kid with her someday. What if I crash and burn? What if my dream doesn’t become reality?”

Deacon glared at him. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“My father didn’t start out drunk and abusive. My mother told me they were happy when they first got married. Then a few years later, he lost his job. Every time things didn’t go his way, he turned to alcohol. He grew bitter, angry at the world, and he always took it out on us. His family.”

“That doesn’t mean you would react in the same way he did. We all have negative circumstances, and mentally stable people learn how to deal with them in a healthy way.” Deacon snapped his fingers. “Answer me this. Have things always gone your way, or have you suffered losses?”

Brady sighed. “Of course, I don’t get everything I want. No one does.”

“Tell me about one loss thatreallyhurt. A recent loss.”

People passed by, and they had to step to the side. The interruption gave Brady a moment to think. He felt like he should be reclining on Deacon’s couch in his office instead ofoutside on the sidewalk. The urge to tell Deacon to mind his own business before driving away was difficult to resist. He didn’t give into the urge, because this would be the last time he saw his best friend, at least for a while.

He took a deep breath before revealing something to Deacon he hadn’t told him yet. “I got a call a few weeks ago from Sheriff Brady’s sister. He died. She thought I’d want to know.”

“Sorry, man.” Deacon patted him on the shoulder. “I know how much he meant to you.”

Brady nodded. “He went peacefully, died in his sleep. She told me he left me his favorite camera. It was probably the one he taught me how to use when I went to live with him.”

“How did you handle the news of his death?” Deacon asked.

Brady shrugged. “What could I do? He died. I went on with my life.”

“You didn’t get drunk?”

Brady sighed. “I’ve only been drunk once in the past ten years and that was over Jessica. You were there. You saw it.”

“I did see you drunk, yes, and you weren’t trying to hit anyone. Your father was a mean drunk, but you are like a big teddy bear when you’ve had too many. It was kind of sweet.”

“Deke, I gotta catch a plane to Paris. We’ll talk later. I’ll call you.”

He started for his car, but Deacon wasn’t done with him yet.

“Do me a favor,” Deacon said, “Give Jessica a callbeforeyou get on the plane to Paris.”

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