Lead Me Home (Fight for Me #3)(83)

“Of course, I remember.”

Pretty much had spent the last fourteen years living in the past.

“We were all close.”

I glanced at him, no clue what had climbed into the tone of his voice.

“Yeah. Not many people get lucky enough to grow up the way we did. Remain friends the way we have.”

Saw the way the muscles in his arms twitched and bunched, apprehension in his stance. “I need you to know you aren’t alone in the regrets, either, man. That you don’t shoulder that alone.”

A gust of doubt rustled through, my nerve endings zapping with unease.

“You’re wrong, Rex. She was my sister. My responsibility.”

Wasn’t trying to be a dick. It was just the cold, bitter truth.

His eyes flashed in a kind of grief I didn’t quite understand. “It was my fault, too. I was there that night. Remember? You think I don’t wish I could go back and change everything? I’d give anything to. But I can’t. And neither can you. Both of us have to accept that.”

“I was responsible for her.” My words were a low, harsh rasp.

He dropped his head, his hands landing on his hips as he struggled with what to say as he stared at the ground. “Ollie—”

“Just don’t, Rex.” Shooting my hand out between us, I cut him off before he could get whatever bullshit he was going to say out of his mouth. Didn’t need another person to tell me it wasn’t my fault when I knew full well that it was. “I don’t need a therapist. I need a friend. That’s it.”

Something moved through his eyes.

Regret and . . . guilt.

Glaring guilt.

I tried to process it.

He blew out a breath toward his boots. “Fine. Just forget it.”

Good damned idea.

Yesterday was hard enough without Rex trying to make it more difficult. The worry about Nikki had only compounded it.

Since the threat was gone, I just wanted to forget it all.

Push it into the past where it all belonged.

Question was if I was capable of that.

I forced some lightness into my words. “Ready to tell me why you had to go and drag me out of my bed when I’d finally gotten Nikki into it?”

He laughed a little, shooting me a grin. “Sorry about that.”

“Not cool, man. You owe me big.”

“Maybe this will suffice.”

“What’s that?”

With his chin, he gestured toward the row of run-down buildings. They’d been near falling down when we’d played in them, and time sure hadn’t improved them. They were covered in graffiti, there was garbage everywhere, and the frames were sagging toward the ground like they didn’t have the will to stand for much longer.

“Back building will become upscale condos, one of which will go to Nikki. First two will be what becomes the hotel and shops.”

He looked down the riverbank before he eyed me carefully. “Plan to put in a couple of restaurants and a bar. Broderick and I want you to open a second Olive’s here.”

Stunned, I stared at him, minutes or an hour passing, waiting for the punch line. “You’re serious,” I finally managed when he didn’t say anything.

“Hell, yeah, I’m serious. You know Olive’s is the best bar in Gingham Lakes. Brody plans to make this a destination. Only the best. So, of course, it only makes sense to add the best bar to the list of attractions. He’s funding the upfront costs, but you’ll have shares in the entire development.”

“You want me to partner with you and Brody?” Still wasn’t making sense of it, shock lurching through my senses.

“It’s not like we weren’t partnered on Olive’s to begin with.”

“Yeah . . . but I hired RG Construction to redo the building.”

No risk on his end.

He looked over at me. “You act like you haven’t been investing in this city. Taking failing businesses and breathing new life in to them.”

“But it’s always been my money on the line.”

If I failed, it was on me.

It’s your fault.

I trusted you.

You were supposed to take care of her.

You promised, you’d take care of her.

It should have been me. It should have been me.

In silence, we both stood there while I contemplated. Warred with all the reasons I shouldn’t do this.

I inhaled sharply, filling my lungs with the scent of the river and damp earth and possibility. “You guys really trust me to be a partner?”

“Wouldn’t ask you if we didn’t.” Rex started back for the truck before he paused to look at me from over his shoulder. “Think maybe the only person you need to prove to that you can be trusted is yourself.”

I stood there, staring at him as he hopped back into the truck.

Business done.

My attention darted between him and the old buildings, imagining what this place would look like one day, while Rex just sat in the truck, giving me time.

Finally, I hefted out a breath and strode back for the truck. I hopped inside, slamming the door shut as I said, “I’m in.”

He started the engine. “Good.”

I scrubbed a sweaty palm on the thigh of my jeans. “And don’t count on Nikki needing that condo.”