Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
He was my reminder that everything happens for a reason.
“You did what you needed to do. What matters is that you came back.”
I gave him a warm smile. “Question is, what happens now?”
A quiet smile spread across his face, and this time, he reached all the way to his eyes. “Now, we start. No more holding back.”
“And you’ll tell me what happened with Emily and Jameson.”
“I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
And just like that, the chapter we’d both been afraid to begin finally opened, wide and full of promise, and I couldn’t have been more ready.
29
DRIFTER
THREE MONTHS LATER
Raelyn lived in a nice neighborhood and had fairly decent neighbors. They kept a clean yard and always gave a friendly wave whenever they passed by. But I wasn’t taking any chances. I wanted them to be as safe as possible, so I installed a new security system.
It had all the bells and whistles, including motion-detection security lights for every corner of the house. It might’ve been a little much, but I wasn’t cutting corners, not when it came to Rae and the boys.
I’d already put up the cameras and new locks, and I was outside installing the last set of lights, when I heard Raelyn say, “You know, you could’ve just brought flowers.”
“Flowers don’t keep you safe.”
“This isn’t exactly a bad neighborhood.”
“I’m aware.”
“And I’ve lived here for years without stadium-level security.”
I climbed down from the ladder and grabbed the drill from the porch. I gave her a look as I said, “Didn’t stop Dan from busting up in here.”
“That was months ago.”
“Still happened.”
“Is that what all this is about?”
“No,” I huffed. “Well, partly… The asshole’s lucky he’s still breathing.”
“Walker.”
“You can ‘Walker’ me all you want…” I started back up the ladder as I said, “But I’m not getting the image of him breaking into your house out of my head any time soon.”
It didn’t matter if I knew her ex was harmless. I didn’t like the fact that he’d had the notion to even step foot in that house, much less break in when they were all asleep. I wasn’t taking any chances on it happening again. Not with him or anyone else.
Rae gave me one of her looks as she asked, “So, all of this really is about him?”
“Not entirely.”
“So, what else is it?”
“I want to know you’re okay when I’m not around. Simple as that.” Judging by her expression, my words landed heavier than I’d intended. “The boys, too.”
“Well, I appreciate that. I’m sure the boys will, too.”
“I don’t know about that.” I finished screwing in the light, then made my way back down the ladder. “There’ll come a time when they’ll get the wise idea to try and sneak out of here, and when they do…”
“Oh, man! Busted right out the gate.”
“Exactly.”
She laughed, and it hit me square in the chest. I loved seeing her happy. It was something I’d strived for over the past few months, and it had been easier than expected. Turned out, she had a soft spot for me, and I definitely had one for her.
I’m not saying everything was perfect. It wasn’t.
There were still nights when the grief and guilt would creep in uninvited and steal my breath. But somewhere between the football practices, fixing cabinet doors, and helping Lucas with his homework, life had gotten quieter in the best way possible.
“You hungry?” Rae asked.
“I could eat. What did you have in mind?”
“I was thinking about either hamburgers or some of that penne pasta we tried a few weeks ago with the sundried tomatoes.”
Before I could answer, her phone started ringing. She held her hand up and laughed, “Hold that thought.”
She rushed over and grabbed her phone from the porch steps, and her smile faded the second she glanced down at the screen. She quickly answered it and said, “Hey, Coach. Is everything okay?”
After listening for a moment, she muttered, “Oh, no. Is he okay?”
“What is it?” I asked, already walking toward her.
“Thomas was hurt,” she answered.
Every muscle in my body tensed. I couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation, but I could tell by her expression that it wasn’t good. “No, no. I’m on my way. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
She ended the call, and for a second, she just stood there, staring at the phone like she wasn’t sure what to do. “Is he okay?”
“They’re taking him to the hospital.”
“Okay… How bad is it?”
“I’m not sure.” Her voice trembled. “Coach said he went down wrong during one of his drills and hurt his shoulder.”
I was already reaching for her keys when I told her, “Get in the truck.”
We both climbed into her Tahoe, and I tried to keep my cool as I backed us out of the driveway. Once we were on the main road, I glanced over at Rae, and she was about to fall apart. That was the last thing we needed, so I reached over and placed my hand on hers.