Page 25 of The End of Me

“Time will tell,” I whisper.

“The pain won’t last forever, you know? You’ll miss him, but those memories will give you joy instead of hurt,” Tucker says when he comes out to the patio.

Will they?

I close my eyes, trying to imagine a life without him, and it’s impossible.

“Please try, Ladybug. Seeing you like this is killing me.” Tuck kisses the top of my head before sitting next to Sage and drinking from her glass.

“Try what?”

“To live. You seem to have paused your entire life. I’m a little shocked that Mom hasn’t sent you to a grief counselor.”

I chuckle. “Oh, she’s tried many things. The other day she dropped by to visit me with a friend—a therapist. The intervention didn’t work. I’m just a hard nut to crack. Well, that’s what she says. In any case, why don’t you let me get through this weekend, okay?”

“That’s fair. Just remember, we’re all here for you.”

“Have I ever told you you’re the best big brother in the world?”

“You’re the best little sister.”

Is everyone right? Do I need to continue on with my life? Is that fair to Archer?

ChapterEleven

Derek

July 13th

I cross my arms over my chest, leaning back in the chair and staring at the screen. Bennett Crawford is once again trying to drag me into his group of mercenaries. He doesn’t understand that I prefer to work alone.

“You should join us,” he insists. “We’re escorting cargo from Cambodia to Australia.”

I arch a brow. “What will we be escorting?”

He grins. “That’s none of your fucking business.”

I scoff. “The only way I would agree is if you gave me more information.”

“No can do, amigo.”

I should end the call. It’s not like I need a job, but what else can I do?

Search for a civilian job? I would have to move to another state to make it work, and they’ll want a long-term commitment from me. I can’t give them that. After retiring from the Navy, my longest relationships have been with my toothbrushes, and I make sure to change them every three months.

So, there’s nothing for me in the city. I could go and check on my family, but that would be too inconvenient. I could visit my siblings, but four of them are out of the country. The only one who lives here is my little sister, who I can’t stand. She’s a pain in the ass, just like her fucking mother. Oh, and there’s the youngest, Benedict. He studies medicine in California, and I’m one hundred percent sure he doesn’t need me around.

I have faith that, unlike me, Ben will finish his degree and become a doctor.

Do I regret my life choices?

Not one bit. Yet, my father is still fucking mad at me. According to him, I ruined my life. He wanted me to study business and take over Farrow Industries, not medicine. Well, I wish he hadn’t fucked up our family, but he did it anyway. I call it even.

I drum my fingers, trying to calm the fuck down. Having daddy issues at thirty-five is fucking stupid. And this is why I have to get the hell out of here before we cross paths at an event or a coffee shop.

“What else do you have for me, Crawford?”

He curses under his breath. The guy doesn’t like when I say no, but I don’t give a fuck. I hate to report to others.

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