Chapter 11 #2
Lauren spent the next hour going over the paperwork and telling us how the program worked.
Lila listened intently, and I spent most of my time watching her.
Making sure she was okay. I knew the percentage of success stories with addiction was not as high as she wanted to believe.
But I also believed people were capable of change, and everyone deserved a second chance.
If Tate was willing to do the work, then I’d support her on this. And I’d talk to my stubborn ass of a best friend about getting on board for his sister’s sake. She needed him whether he believed in his father or not. He needed to be there for her.
“So that’s everything in a nutshell. You’ve got all the pricing there, and I discussed the deposit that I’d need before I could admit him.”
“Yep. Working on that right now. I should have the money here pretty quickly for you. And then the balance we can finance?”
“Yes. We’ll set up a payment plan. Are you handling the financial responsibility all on your own?” Lauren asked.
“Um, well,” Lila said as she looked away and gathered her thoughts. “Probably, yes. And I’m fine with that.”
“Are you going to be fine with it regardless of the outcome?”
“Of course.”
“What I mean is…” Lauren reached for Lila’s hand like they were old friends.
They’d just met, but there was a comfort there.
“I told you that I’ve been through this, Lila.
That’s why I work here. But my outcome with my brother was not what I’d hoped for.
And that can get tricky when you’re financially obligated to a program that might not work for your loved one. ”
“I understand the risks. I’d spend every penny I have trying—otherwise, what is all the hard work for? I mean, my father is the only parent I have. I can’t bring my mother back. He’s here. He’s hurting. I won’t turn my back on him, ever. That’s not what you do when you love someone.”
Her tone was serious, and it was clear that she meant every word she said. She would never give up on her father. I used to be in the same camp as Travis, where I worried she’d lose herself trying to save him. But today, I got it.
She wasn’t going to lose herself. She was just a woman who loved hard. And she didn’t give up on the people she cared about. It wasn’t something to pity. It was something I admired. The blind faith that Tate would figure it out, even after all he’d done.
Hell, I was cheering for the dude now, too.
“I get that, I really do. We’re very similar in our convictions.” Lauren paused and smiled as she squeezed Lila’s hand still in hers. “Would you consider doing something as a personal favor to me?”
“Yes. Name it.”
“I’ll get your father in as soon as you have the deposit money. We’ll move him to the top of the list. But I want you to go talk to someone. It’s important. This is not easy, and I want you to be okay, as well.”
“Okay. Like a therapist?” Lila asked.
“Yep. Will you promise me you’ll do that?”
“Um, er, I can try.”
“I can promise you she’ll do it. I know a great therapist who will do it pro bono,” I said with a wink.
My mother was well known in Cottonwood Cove as the best listener in town, but it was also her profession.
She was amazing at her job, and I knew she’d be thrilled to work with Lila.
She’d always worried about her and Travis when they were kids after all they’d gone through.
“Oh, you think she’d be willing to see me?” Lila looked at me before glancing back at Lauren. “Hugh’s mom is a family therapist.”
Lauren smiled. “Oh, that’s amazing.”
“She would for sure be willing to see you, as often as you needed. She loves you; you know that.”
“Okay, then. I promise. And I’ll get you that money very soon.”
“All right. And your father seems ready to do this?” Lauren asked as we all pushed to our feet.
“Yes. He’s on board. I feel really good about this. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me and for all that you’re doing for my father.”
“I’m happy to help any way I can. And you’ll follow through on that therapy appointment, right?” Lauren’s voice was teasing, but her gaze landed on me, and I nodded. She was counting on me to make sure it happened.
“You can count on it,” I said. And I would make sure it happened, even if it meant I had to carry her to my mother’s office myself.
Lila hugged her goodbye, and I held up my hand and waved as we made our way back to the truck.
She didn’t fight me when I helped her in the truck and reached over to fasten her seat belt.
She was quiet. Deep in thought. Probably trying to figure out how the fuck she was going to come up with this deposit money.
Once I got in the driver’s seat and we pulled down the long driveway, I glanced over at her. “You okay?”
“Yes. Yeah, of course. Just trying to figure out how it’s all going to work.”
“How much is the deposit?”
She cleared her throat. “The initial deposit is eight thousand dollars. And then the rest is paid over time.”
I nodded. “And you have that kind of money?”
She’d just graduated from college, and she’d told me that her internship with the company who was holding a job for her had been unpaid. I couldn’t fathom where she’d saved eight thousand bucks. She hadn’t been working for me long enough to have made that much.
“My car is for sale. That’s why I’ve been walking everywhere. I don’t need one while I’m home, and I truly don’t need one in Chicago. I can take public transportation everywhere. It’s actually easier that way.”
Jesus.
She’d really do just about anything to save the man.
She owned one thing, and she was so quick to give it up.
I remember her saving up for two summers back when she was in high school, working at the bakery in town to save up for that car.
“I haven’t seen it at the house,” I said, turning to look at her when I stopped at the light.
“It’s at Brax’s office. He’s got that empty lot, and people sell their cars there all the time. He said he’d help me out. It gets a ton of exposure on that corner.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course, the fucker was helping her and hadn’t said a word.
“I’m guessing Travis doesn’t know about this?”
“Of course not. Why would I tell him when he’s dead set against it? I don’t need his permission or his money, Hugh. I can do this on my own.”
“Why didn’t you come to me for the money? You know I’d give it to you in a heartbeat. Take your car back, and I’ll loan you the money. You can pay it back over time, all right?”
“What? No. I’m already living at your house and working at your restaurant. You’ve done enough for me.”
The light turned green, and we started moving.
“Listen to me. You’ve probably saved me more than eight grand just in the tweaks you’ve made to the books and all the areas you’ve found that we could cut back and places where we could increase revenue.
And you cook breakfast and dinner for me every day. I owe you.”
She chuckled. “You’re exaggerating. But thank you for the offer. If my car doesn’t sell, I may have to come to you for a loan, but I’d rather do this on my own.”
I’d definitely have to talk to Brax about making sure that car didn’t sell. The fucker was so sneaky.
“Well, I guess we know that Travis isn’t the only stubborn one in the James family,” I said, and my lips twitched when I felt her eyes on me.
“I do have a favor to ask.”
“Shoot.”
“Do you think your parents would be okay with me bringing my dad to Sunday dinner tomorrow night? I think it would be good for him to be around your family. And for Travis to see that he’s trying.”
“Of course. You know my mom. Everyone is welcome. And we will be talking to her about getting you on her schedule and starting therapy. Otherwise, I will throw your ass under the bus so fast with Lauren, your head will spin.”
“You play dirty, Hugh Reynolds.”
“Always,” I said. As I glanced at her, her heated gaze locked with mine.
She didn’t know the half of it.