“I can’t tell you that. Not because I don’t want to—believe me, a part of me does—but because it’s the safest option.”
Oliver’s eyes flash. “I’m not going to do anything, I just don’t like the thought of men like that walking this earth to hurt more women. Pains me to know they’re out there, roaming free, without a care in the world.”
“You can’t control everyone,” I say softly.
“No,” he murmurs. “You’re right about that.”
“Yeah.”
He studies me for a few moments. “What about your parents? Where were they when this was happening? I know you’re a grown woman, but most families tend to notice when things go wrong. Nobody noticed?”
“I don’t, ah, get along with my parents.”
“Why?” he questions.
I don’t have the best parents in the world. They were never great; not a single moment of my childhood do I recall them being any good. I was an accident, and I was reminded of that my whole life. My mom cared more about money and her friends than me. It was as if I was a burden. And my dad was a drunk who never did anything but sit in front of the television, watching the world go by, not a care in the world, beer in hand.
They were never abusive, but they were neglectful. I spent most of my childhood doing everything myself, from cooking, to washing, to getting myself to school. It’s probably why I attached myself to Terry as fast and closely as I did. I was craving love. As soon as I could, I moved out, got a job, and cut contact. I don’t see or hear from them now, and I’m okay with that. My life is better off without them in it. I’m a stronger person because I took a stand for myself. I have no siblings, no one else to rely on. It was always just me.
“My mom is selfish and fake, and my father is a drunk. I tend to avoid them at any cost. I wasn’t something they wanted, and they made sure I knew that growing up.”
He nods. “Understand that, too. Shame you got no one in the world who can have your back. Everyone deserves that.”
I smile. “That’s not true. I have my best friend, Erin, and I have Marlie and Kenai. They have been great to me, and I don’t know what I’d do without them. So, I’m more fortunate than most. Some people out there, and even here at Sanctuary, they don’t have anybody. No one at all. I would never want that life.”
Oliver studies me for a long moment and my cheeks go red.
“Think I might just like you, Jade.”
With that, my knees tremble.
Well.
I think I might just like him, too.
Chapter 2
“Do you have any family?” I ask Oliver as we move up and down the stairs attaching lights so people don’t trip when the lights go off.
“Yeah, got a dad. My mom passed when I was a baby. Never knew her.”
That’s awful, and my heart goes out to him. I wonder if he’s close to his dad. I’d do anything to have parents I could be close to, parents who I could call when something was wrong. I’d give it all, to have big family barbecues, where everyone laughed and joked and there were kids running around everywhere. I never had that. And I can sympathize with anyone else who hasn’t.
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I tell him. “Are you and your dad close?”
He nods. “Yeah, we get along really well.”
“That’s good. What do you do for a living?”
He twists a cable tie around the light cord and glances over at me. When he does that, when those eyes hit mine, my stomach flutters. That’s a feeling I never thought I’d get to experience again. Not after what Terry did. In fact, I doubted that I’d ever be able to trust another man again, but I am trying, and this feeling I have as Oliver looks at me makes me have a bit of hope.
“I’m a motorbike mechanic. I do four days a week there, and then the rest of the time I spend here, fixin’ shit, helpin’ Kenai and Marlie when they need it.”
“That’s admirable.”
“It’s a good place.” He shrugs. “It’s for a good cause. I’ve always got time for things like that.”
Yep, I like him all right. There is something so real and genuine about him. Something I haven’t seen in a lot of men. I like that he cares. I like that he takes pride in what he does.
“There you two are!”
We both look over to see Marlie bounding up the stairs, looking flushed. No doubt this is taking its toll on her. It can’t be easy organizing all this, no matter how many helpers she has. Marlie is beautiful, without a doubt. Steel gray eyes set in a delicate, beautiful face. Her hair is honey colored, and she radiates the kind of strength and beauty that makes you want to be around her all the time. She’s the strongest person I know. Enduring what she has, and then opening this place with her sister Kaity, was a selfless thing to do.
“Hey, Marlie.” I smile at her as I fix some of the lights.
“Marlie.” Oliver nods her way.
“We’re probably going to be at this all night to have it ready by tomorrow.” She sighs, running her fingers through her hair. “So I was thinking, if Kenai and I provide pizza and drinks, will you guys stick around until we finish?”
“Sure,” I say, without hesitation. “I’m all in.”
“Got nothin’ else to do,” Oliver says, shrugging. “I’ll stay.”
“Gosh, you guys are gems. Thank you so much.”
“What else do you need us to do?” I ask, attaching another light. “Give us
