Give Me a Reason (Redemption Hills 1)

But the truth was, I didn’t regret it. Would do it all over again. A hundred times over.

I squeezed him back just as fiercely as he hugged me. “We fight for the ones we love.”

His nod was slow. “And you see him for who he really is.”

I tightened my hold.

A promise.

I did.

I saw Trent for who he was, and I’d love him through it all, no matter what it meant.

Jud peeled himself back then strode over to where Trent waited by the door. The fortress of a man overcome. It was clear he was dealing with his own demons right then.

Jud squeezed Trent’s shoulder.

Trent gave him a tight dip of his chin.

The two were immersed in a silent conversation. Silent understanding.

Like in the connection, every atrocity they witnessed, every fear they’d shared, every hope that had been shattered, passed between them.

Now Trent and I shared in some of that, too.

The trauma.

The tragedy.

A crater in the middle where the ones we loved would echo their presence forever.

My gaze met the ferocity of Trent’s from across the space.

But I believed we had the ability to rise above it.

The suffering and the regrets. The questions and what-ifs.

Gage came bounding down Logan’s stairs, that huge backpack bouncing all over his shoulders.

So sweet he nearly dropped me to my knees. “Miss Murphy, Miss Murphy. I’m all ready to go. I got all my things and my colors and I made you something super extra special while I was waiting on you guys forever. Sheesh. Dontcha know you shouldn’t work so much?”

My heart lifted.

Expanded and danced.

I took him by the hand. “I’m sorry we took so long, but we’re here now.”

And we weren’t going anywhere.

“Okay, good because you know we’ve gotta have all the special times because we love each other so much to the highest mountain and you gotta make time for the ones you love.”

He gave one of those resolute nods.

Cheeks dimpling.

So sincere.

My smile was soft and slow as the fingers on my free hand fluttered through the strands of gold that framed his precious face.

This child—he had my life.

“You ready?” Trent asked.

“I am.” It came on a whisper. A promise.

Yes. I was ready. Ready to move on.

To live.

To love.

To hope.

To believe.

It was time Trent got all of those, too, and I couldn’t wait to share it with him.

I hugged Logan who stepped back and watched us with one of his cocky, playful smirks, though there was no hiding the affection that flooded out as he glanced at his brother then back at me. “Make sure he gets some.”

Gage started jumping at my side. “What’s he gonna get? Ice cream? Please, please, please say it’s ice cream!”

Redness flushed.

“F-off dude.” Trent widened his eyes at his brother.

Logan cracked up. “You know you love me.”

Trent looked between his brothers. “Couldn’t do this life without you.”

Love pressed and rippled. Pushed against the walls.

Ricocheted and amplified.

So much of it, it made it hard to breathe.

For a moment, the three of them just stood silent, like they were giving themselves a moment to finally put their pasts in the past.

Realizing they had a future. That they no longer had to watch their backs or live in fear.

That owl bobbed on Trent’s throat when he swallowed hard, then he shifted a fraction and took my hand.

Inviting me into it.

Then he reached over and took Gage’s.

Joy bounded.

We all clamored out to my rental and climbed in.

We totally got ice cream. The three of us sat together in a little parlor while Gage rambled away.

Hope surrounded us.

Wrapped us in warmth.

Yes, there was sadness, too. A bone deep kind that would probably never heal. A piece in the shape of my sister carved in the middle of me.

Aaron.

My own mother.

Trent threaded his fingers in mine, glancing my way with understanding.

“Together,” he whispered.

I gripped his hand tight. “Together.”

Then all the somberness fled and he shot me one of those wicked smiles. The playful kind. The kind that would do me in.

He dabbed my nose with his ice cream cone.

“Ah, Kitten, you’ve got a little something right here.” He teased it on a low voice before he leaned in and licked it off.

My mouth dropped open in surprise.

He laughed, this rumbly sound that vibrated all the way to my thighs.

I pushed him against the shoulder. “You jerk.”

“What?” He was all feigned innocence.

Gage howled like it was the funniest thing his dad had ever done. “My turn!”

He climbed over the table and did the same to his dad. All except for the licking part. “Dad, you got something right here!”

Laughter filled our table.

Our hearts.

The room.

The softest smile played at my mouth as I gazed over at Trent. “You’re a terrible influence.”

It was so low I almost mouthed it, and then Trent was pressing that delicious mouth to my ear. “I’ll show you terrible influence.”

Butterflies scattered and danced.