Can't Let You Go: A Wheeler Brothers Novel Read Online Free

I've known her. When I met Jen she was only six, and her situation was bad. Her mom was always out with a guy or at a bar. Jen was left to fend for herself. She had to feed herself and get herself to school every day. She did her best, but as a kid, she needed help, so my parents stepped in and ended up practically raising her. Some weeks, she was at our house more than her own. My parents even turned the guest room into a room for Jen so she'd have a place to stay whenever she needed to.
    Our senior year, Jen got accepted to colleges in Minnesota, Indiana, and here in Chicago. She picked the college in Chicago. I was sure she'd go somewhere else. I wanted her to. I wanted her to get away from her mom and go somewhere new. Get a fresh start. But she didn't, and I knew I was part of the reason for that.
    So when I kissed her on graduation night, I decided it was a goodbye kiss. The first and last kiss we would ever have. I was letting her go. Not just her, but the idea of her and me ever being together. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I did it because I love her too much to let her make the wrong decision because of me. She deserves so much better than being stuck here, babysitting her mom for the rest of her life. She needs to go away, get a good job, make lots of money, buy a new car and a house, and live happily ever after. I purposely left out the husband and kids that she'll likely have because I don't want to think about that. But I'm sure someday she'll have those things too, and she'll be happy.
    As for me, my life is here in Chicago and always will be. When my dad retires, my brothers and I are taking over the business. So I can't move, and honestly, I don't want to. Chicago is my home, and I like being close to my family and working for the family business, helping make it a success.
    If I left here, I'd end up doing construction somewhere else and wouldn't get paid shit. I'd constantly be looking for my next job and would likely be unemployed for a good part of the year.
    So staying here in Chicago is the right decision for me. Just like leaving here is the right decision for Jen. I don't want either of us making bad decisions because of each other. That would just lead to regret and resentment and eventually, the end of our relationship, and our friendship.
    That's why I made the decision that would keep us from getting to that point. But keeping myself from crossing that friendship line is nearly impossible. I don't know how I've done it all these years. Every time I see her, I want to tell her how much I love her. How much I care about her. How beautiful she is, both inside and out. But I can't tell her those things. So I just continue on, trying to be her friend but wanting so much more.
    My phone rings, jarring me from my thoughts. It's Jake.
    "What's going on?" I ask.
    "You need to get your ass over here."
    I rev up my truck. "Yeah, I'm on my way. What's the problem?"
    "When I got here, I found your crew out back, drinking beer and smoking weed."
    "Fuck, are you serious?" I whip my truck out of the space and speed down the road.
    "We have to fire them but you need to be the one to do it since it's your crew."
    "Shit. I hate firing people." I've only done it once but I didn't like it. It was an older guy and, physically, he just wasn't able to do the work.
    "It's part of the job, Bryce. You gotta get used to it."
    I sigh. "Yeah, I know. I'll do it. Are you still over there?"
    "Yeah. I'm in the house. I've got the guys out in the garage cleaning up. They know they're being fired so just hurry up and do it."
    "All right. I'll be there in a few." I end the call and drop my phone in the cupholder. "Fuck," I mutter, rubbing my jaw. This is turning out to be a shitty day. First seeing Jen with that guy, and now I have to fire people. If I hadn't stopped by to bring Jen that binder, I could've avoided all this. I wouldn't know about Chad, and I would've been supervising my crew so they wouldn't need to be