The Closer You Get Read Online Free PDF Page A

throat. “Oh, yeah?”
    “Yeah. Do you want to see a picture of her?”
    Before Brett could respond, much less refuse, Caroline had
already retrieved a fancy phone from her pocket, hit a few buttons and then
handed it to him. He studied the digital picture displayed on the screen, noting
that his mom looked much the same, her black-and-silver hair twisted into her
usual long braid, her face showing signs of a hard life as a single mother
working as a waitress to raise her son. And next to her stood the little girl
that had been his at one time. Only she wasn’t exactly little anymore. She’d
grown into a pretty preteen, just like her mom had been way back when they’d
gone to school together. But with her blue eyes and dark hair, she looked like
him. A lot like him.
    The ever-present ache weighted his chest and brought about a
strong surge of remorse. He tore his gaze from the photo and handed the phone
back to his cousin. “She’s really grown up.”
    Caroline pocketed the cell and smiled. “She’s a typical
twelve-year-old. Jana said the boys are chasing after her in record
numbers.”
    That didn’t exactly surprise Brett, nor did it sit too well
with him. But several years ago, he’d lost all control over his daughter’s life.
“Is Randy good to her?”
    Caroline nodded. “He’s a real good dad. Strict, but not too
strict. Lacey seems to care a lot about him, but that hasn’t kept her from
asking about you.”
    That caught Brett totally off guard, though it probably
shouldn’t. He’d been involved in his child’s life before his ex-wife remarried.
Before he’d handed his kid over to another man to raise her in order to protect
her from the chaos his life had become.
    When a rap sounded at the door, Brett welcomed the distraction.
“Come in,” he called.
    A security guard opened the door and cautiously peered inside,
like he wasn’t sure what he might be interrupting. “Mr. Taylor, there’s some guy
named Andrew at the back entrance who says he knows the lady.”
    Caroline shot to her feet like someone had lit a fire under her
backside. “That’s my boyfriend. You can send him back.”
    The guard gave Brett a questioning look. “That okay with
you?”
    “Yeah.” As much as he appreciated seeing his cousin, he was
more than ready to get back on the road, away from the reminders of what he’d
sacrificed for the sake of his career.
    A few seconds later, a tall, lanky guy with sandy hair and a
self-conscious smile entered the dressing room, causing Caroline’s expression to
brighten like a neon billboard.
    For the sake of politeness, Brett stood and stuck out his hand
for a shake. “Brett Taylor.”
    The kid looked a little shell-shocked and hesitated before
accepting the offer. “Andrew Grimes.”
    Caroline linked her arm through his and stared up at the guy
like he was the only man in the universe. “Andrew’s in his first year of law
school.”
    He was glad his cousin had hooked up with a college man who had
normal aspirations, not some worthless no-account with a serious case of
wanderlust. “Congratulations.”
    She let go of Andrew long enough to give Brett a hug. “We
better get back before they lock me out of my dorm. Be careful, and call Aunt
Linda, okay?”
    “Okay.” And he would, as soon as he had some distance. His mom
wouldn’t understand how he could be this close and not pay her a visit. She’d
never understood his schedule, even though she’d accepted his obsession with
realizing his dream, just like she’d finally accepted that her husband was never
coming back.
    After the couple left, Brett closed the door behind them and
rested his forehead against the facing. At times he hated this life—empty,
alone, even with thousands of people worshiping him every night. Even though he
had a life many men would kill for. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder if the
trade-off had been worth it.
    * * *
    C AMMIE MILLED AROUND the bus to explore while Bud dozed on the sofa.
After a