Chapter 4
4
CASH
The chill in the air was burning my nose as Britt and I strolled through Boston Common. Twinkling lights wrapped around the trees, and the pond was frozen over, dotted with skaters bundled in scarves and hats.
“This place already feels like home again.” She slipped her arm through mine. “It’s like everything is falling into place. My job at St. Thomas, the apartment being available right when I need it. It just feels right.”
We’d just come from looking at a few places for her to rent, so she wouldn’t have to move in with her parents. The one she fell in love with was in Back Bay. It was near Fenway Park and while I was an Astros fan, I wouldn’t mind catching a few games at the famous stadium.
“It’s a beautiful city,” I admitted. The charm of Boston was undeniable, but I wasn’t ready to commit to the idea of moving. “You’ve got a lot to look forward to. ”
She tilted her head slightly. “ We’ve got a lot to look forward to, Cash. This could be a fresh start for both of us.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. A fresh start sounded good in theory, but Houston was where my work was, where my clients needed me. Moving felt like leaving too much behind, even if I could travel back when I had a new client, or find a new agency to work for in Massachusetts. But what about my past clients who needed me, like Bobby had when he’d called me in the middle of the night? Since I was almost 2,000 miles away, I had to talk to him on the phone, but usually, I would go to them when they were struggling and their sponsors weren’t available. Granted, it didn’t happen often, but I still felt like shit for not being available to meet in person.
It also didn’t help that Britt’s brother thought I was taking a call from another woman. I understood where Silas was coming from, but at the same time, I had to end my call early with Bobby, and that made me feel like shit. I’d called him the next day and everything was cool, but still. I was used to being there when they needed me.
As Britt and I continued to walk, I also thought about how she needed me too. Or that I needed her. I loved her and wanted to be with her, but if I stayed in Texas, it wouldn’t work out between us.
We turned down a quieter path, and Britt squeezed my arm. “You know, when Silas and I were kids, we used to come here during the summers. My dad would bring us to the Frog Pond, and Silas would always race ahead to the water. He’d pretend to be an explorer, mapping out some new territory. Once, he fell in and blamed me for not warning him it was slippery.” She laughed.
“Sounds like he’s always been trouble,” I teased, though I couldn’t help but smile. Spending the past few days with Silas had been interesting. I liked him, but I still had my concerns because even though I didn’t want to think my girlfriend’s brother was using drugs, he had all the signs: red eyes, twitchy hands, and the restlessness that seemed all too familiar.
“Oh, absolutely.” Britt snorted. “But you’d love him if you got to know him better. He’s a bit reckless and impulsive, but deep down he’s a great guy. We don’t get to see each other often, but when we do, it reminds me how much I’ve missed those fun moments with him.”
I nodded, though something about the way she spoke tugged at me. Maybe it was the way she lit up when she talked about her brother—something I never had.
“He’s got that big tour coming up, right?” I asked.
“Yeah. Surrender’s first headlining tour. They’re going through Canada and the US, starting in early April. It’s a tremendous deal for them, and he’s been working so hard. They’re also dropping their new album early next month. He’s pretty much living his dream, and I’m so proud of him. It’s funny, growing up, I was always the one with the plan, and he was the dreamer. But he made it happen.”
I could see the emotion in her eyes, and it hit me harder than I expected. Silas wasn’t just her little brother; he was someone who’d defied the odds, who’d turned a dream into something real. Maybe that was part of what made Britt’s push for me to move here so hard to ignore. She wasn’t just asking me to follow her; she was asking me to be part of the life she’d built—the life that included her family. A family that had already welcomed me as one of their own.
We reached a small cafe just outside the park, the windows fogged from the heat inside. I pulled open the door, and the smell of coffee and baked goods washed over us. After we ordered, we sat at a table near the window.
“I know it’s a big ask for you to consider moving here,” she said as she took her seat. “But I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was worth it. Boston isn’t just a place to me, Cash. It’s home. And I want it to be home for us too.”
I took a sip of my Americano and looked out the window at the cars passing by. I thought about the life she was describing, about the family she wanted me to be a part of. And, oddly, I thought about Silas. Something about him lingered in my mind, and I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t as though he lived in Boston too. He had a life in LA and was going on tour, so why was he even part of my consideration?
“You’re right,” I finally muttered, meeting her gaze. “It is a big ask. But …” I paused, my mind racing through the logistics. I had to figure ou t how to handle my clients, especially the ones who needed me when they were spiraling. The calls in the middle of the night, the emergencies that couldn’t wait. I wasn’t sure if I could leave them behind completely. But maybe I didn’t have to. Maybe I could manage everything from afar. Maybe, just maybe, I could keep helping them while also being there for Britt.
“I’ll make it work,” I added. “I’ll figure out how to stay connected to the clients who need me, even from here. But I’m with you. I want to be with you no matter where that is.”
She smiled. “You’re sure?”
I nodded. “I’m sure.”
Britt reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “Thank you. This means everything to me.”
After a moment of silence, I grinned. “Well, guess I’m officially becoming a Bostonian,” I said, pausing before adding, “But don’t get any ideas. I’m still keeping my Astros gear.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You’ll have to deal with the teasing. But fine, you can stay loyal to Houston. Just don’t expect me to go easy on you at Fenway.”
“Fair enough.” I chuckled. “But you’re buying the peanuts when we go to a game.”
She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “I’ll do you one better and buy you a Togarashi clam roll. They’re to die for.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not that big on clams.”
“Trust me. They’re delicious.”
“Is it fried?” I wondered.
“Yes.” She nodded, knowing I couldn’t pass up a fried piece of seafood.
I thought for a moment. “All right. Then you have yourself a deal.”
As we stepped out of the cafe, Britt pulled her phone out of her pocket, and her face lit up as she read a text.
“Hey,” she started, glancing up at me. “A few of my friends from high school are meeting up for drinks at Flanagan’s. It’s an Irish pub with good drinks and decent food. Want to come?”
I shrugged. “Sure. I’d love to meet your friends.”
Her smile brightened. “You’ll like them and Flanagan’s. It’s a fun spot, and if you’re lucky you might spot a few Bruins players there after home games.”
I gave her a sideways glance. “Guess I’m gonna have to trade in all my Texas teams now, huh?”
She laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t make you wear a Patriots jersey. Yet.”
“Good, because that’s where I draw the line,” I teased.
We walked a few blocks toward the pub while Britt talked about her old friends. I nodded along, recognizing some names from stories she’d told me before. Flanagan’s was packed when we arrived.
“They’re in the back.” Britt looped her arm through mine and guided me through the crowd to a packed booth.
Her friends greeted her with hugs and then she turned and motioned toward me. “This is Cash. My boyfriend.”
I exchanged polite handshakes with everyone, trying to keep up with the introductions.
“And this is Kenny,” Britt added, glancing between us. “We ... uh, dated for a bit in high school.”
Kenny smirked. “A bit? Try the better part of senior year.”
Britt rolled her brown eyes. “It wasn’t that serious.”
He leaned back in his seat, the smirk never fading. “If you say so.”
“Want a drink?” I asked Britt.
“Sure. Just a beer is fine.”
I nodded then headed to the bar to grab beers for us and when I returned, the group was reminiscing about high school and everyone catching up. Kenny kept jumping in with jokes and comments that had Britt laughing.
At one point, he turned to me. “So, Cash, what do you do?”
“I’m a sober companion. I help people in recovery.”
He nodded. “That sounds intense. Do you get much time for yourself? ”
“Not when I have an active client, but I like what I do because it also gives me the freedom to make my own schedule.”
He looked thoughtful for a moment before giving a small nod.
Over the course of the evening, my attention kept drifting back to Kenny. It was easy for him to make Britt laugh, and he’d leaned in just a little too close when she talked. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to get under my skin, but I made sure to drape my arm across her shoulders so he knew she was mine.
By the time we left Flanagan’s, the crowd had thinned, and the streets were quieter. Britt was chatting with one of her friends near the door, laughing about something I didn’t catch. I stood by the exit, waiting for her, my hands shoved in my jacket pockets. Kenny’s words and the way he looked at Britt kept running through my mind. I didn’t like it, but I wasn’t about to let a guy from her past rattle me.
Britt finally turned my way, a smile on her face. She caught me looking at her. “You good?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I muttered, pulling my hands from my pockets. “Just ready to head out.” We were leaving in the morning to go up to the mountains for her family’s ski trip.
“No, something else is going on.”
My eyes cut to Kenny, and then Britt sucked in a small breath. She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “He’s harmless. Don’t worry about him.”
I forced a chuckle, even though I wasn’t entirely convinced. “I’m not worried.”
She raised an eyebrow, studying me for a second before shaking her head. “Uh-huh. You’re a terrible liar.”
“I’m not lying,” I lied.
She draped her arms over my shoulders and looked into my eyes. “Well, he’s part of the past. You’re the one in my present who I’m building a future with. And that’s all that matters.”
She said goodbye to her friends as I ordered a ride to take us back to her parents’ place. Once everyone left, she stood beside me.
“It was good to meet your friends.” I pulled her against me.
Britt smiled up at me. “I’m glad you could meet them too. Especially since you’re moving here.”
“It will be nice to know people already.” But I wasn’t going to hang with her ex. That was for sure.
Our rideshare pulled up in front of us, and we slid inside. As the driver drove away from the curb, Britt leaned over and rested her head on my shoulder. Maybe Boston wasn’t where I ever pictured myself, but sitting in the back of a car with her, I realized it didn’t matter where we were. As long as we were together, I could make it work.