Page 42 of Finding Carly
Carly nodded.
“Oh, and I’ve got the self-defense training sessions all scheduled for the days you aren’t working. Hope that’s all right.”
“It’s great. Although, I’m kinda nervous about them.”
“Why?”
“Well, you said the woman you were going to ask is like a female Rambo or something.”
Jag chuckled. “She’s pretty badass.”
“She’s gonna think I’m a wuss. I’m not exactly in shape, Jag. I get tired going up the stairs in the parking garage by Duke’s.”
“You don’t have to be in shape, and she’d never think you’re a wuss. Would it make you feel better if I said the other women will probably be joining you? When I told the guys about it, they all volunteered their women to come too.”
“Really? That’s awesome! I’d love that!” Carly said happily. Somehow it didn’t feel as intimidating to have the lessons with her friends.
“Good. After we stop at Food For All and drop off those bags of food Alani gave you, you okay with going straight home?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know. I wasn’t sure if you needed to pick something up at your apartment, or at the store or something.”
“I don’t need anything,” Carly said. “Except to hang out with you and try to forget the world exists for a while.”
Jag beamed and squeezed her hand. “Same, angel. Same.”
“Jag?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really ready to move on.”
“What?”
“I’m ready to move on,” Carly repeated. “With my life. I’ve let Shawn hang out in my head for way too long. I believed the awful things he said to me and began to doubt myself. I felt better when I broke it off with him, but when he started harassing me, I admit that I had second thoughts. Why would anyone else want to be with me? Maybe I was all the things he accused me of being. Immature, stupid, ugly…but I realize now that he was trying to break me. I’m ready to put all that behind me. I know I need to be safe and watchful, but you were right to get me out of my apartment, to make me talk to Alani. I appreciate that more than I can say.”
“I’m glad, angel,” Jag said softly.
“I told Kenna and the others over and over that I didn’t want another boyfriend. That I was done with men. Maybe not forever, but for the foreseeable future. But you’ve somehow stormed your way past my defenses…and I’m so happy that you have.”
“Me too. You’re an amazing woman, Carly. And Shawn was an asshole.”
“Yup,” she agreed.
They held hands in silence the rest of the way to Barbers Point. Jag parked in the lot down the street from the food pantry and they carried the bags toward Food For All. Lexie was the only one there, and she seemed a little distracted, mumbling about the increase in the number of people the place was providing food for, so Carly and Jag didn’t stay long.
Carly studied the area as they walked back to the car and didn’t see anyone out of the ordinary. She didn’t recognize any of the men or women walking around, and they were currently the only people in the parking lot.
“You’re safe,” Jag said, obviously noticing the way she’d nervously checked out every passerby.
Carly nodded. “I feel safe with you.”
“You’ll feel safe when youaren’twith me soon. Senior Chief Petty Officer Albertson will make sure of that. And we’ll talk about some things you can look out for when you’re on the road or in a parking garage. Youwillget back to your normal life, Carly. Promise.”
“Senior Chief Petty Officer Albertson?” she asked. “That’s quite the mouthful.”
Jag chuckled. “Yup. I’m sure she’ll let you use her first name.”
