His heart thundered as he took his seat, unable to look anyone in the face. Maybe he knew some of them. Maybe he didn’t. But right now, he couldn’t do more than sit down and keep his gaze fixated on the doctor.
Dr. Adams said, “Everyone, this is Rhett. Let’s welcome him.”
“Welcome, Rhett,” the group said.
Rhett swallowed and his gaze unwillingly shifted around the room to the strangers he found. He looked from face to face, recognizing the unrest he once saw in his own eyes. A pain that slowly had begun to fade. Because of Kinsley. She had made that happen, and he would never forget that. “Good to be here,” he told the group.
Dr. Adams smiled, his warm brown eyes creasing. “Listen, Rhett, we’re not going to ask anything of you. You don’t need to talk, unless you want to and you’re ready. You’re in good company here with people who aren’t great at talking about the shit going on in their heads. Isn’t he?” he asked the crowd.
Soft laughter and nods followed.
Dr. Adams turned back to Rhett. “The military gives you the tools to stay alive, to protect and defend, but they don’t train you to return to civilian life. And that’s what we’re all trying to do here. We’re figuring out how in the hell we go from being trained killers to people with everyday jobs and family that aren’t constantly at the ready for a firefight. All right?”
“Yeah,” Rhett said. “Thank you.”
He unzipped his coat and took off his gloves as Dr. Adams said, “Gerry, why don’t you get us started. Anything new you want to talk about?”
Gerry was a big guy. All muscle. Rhett was pretty sure he’d seen him at Theo’s a few times. “The nightmares are back. They’re…drowning me.” His voice lowered and his shoulders curled, making him look small. “Just so goddamn real.”
Dr. Adams smiled gently. “Nightmares are sometimes the brain reliving trauma, trying to heal through that pain.”
Gerry nodded, and his voice cracked when he added, “My wife won’t sleep with me anymore.” He lifted his head, tears in his eyes. “The screaming. She can’t take it.”
Rhett released a breath and stared at Gerry, feeling like they had once been the same man. He understood that pain in Gerry’s face. And for the first time, in a very long time, Rhett felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.
One day at a time. And eventually, he’d finally talk about those nightmares, not simply survive them. For Kinsley. For their child. And for himself. Because he had only one mission now—to love her right. Forever.
Epilogue
One year later…
The crowd on the dance floor had their hands up, moving to the beat of the rock song that the live band played. Behind the bar, Kinsley looked around at the new Whiskey Blues. It took two months to get the place reopened, and as much as she missed the old bar, she loved this new one too. Besides, all she had to do was glance over her shoulder at the photograph of her inner circle all sitting at the bar to remember what this placed used to look like. This time, she’d redesigned the bar with more of a rustic sexy feel, with big wooden beams running across the roof, wrought iron fixtures, and soft lighting.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the singer called as the crowd applauded. “Let’s get the bride and groom out here for their first dance.”
Kinsley smiled, sensing Rhett watching her. She found him near the doorway, looking damn near mouthwatering in his suit and a black tie. Her heart still fluttered when he smiled at her. After months of therapy, his nightmares had gone away and something else had replaced them…peace. An obvious weight had slowly dropped off Rhett’s shoulders. And the rest, well most of that had disappeared the moment that both their lives changed forever. Leo, their little boy, bounced in Rhett’s arms, waving his chubby arms up and down, smiling from ear to ear. Baby blue noise-canceling headphones covered his ears. He looked nearly identical to his father, same dark hair, same nose, but he had the Knights’ signature blue eyes.
The commotion on the dance floor caught her eye as everyone moved off to the side. Her father, dressed in a dark gray suit and smoky blue tie, held his hand out to his new wife, who wore a gorgeous vintage wedding dress. Dad and Maria had just gotten married outside Boone’s lake house. Tonight, they were celebrating their love, and Kinsley’s heart nearly exploded with happiness.
She replaced the vodka bottle behind the bar then smiled at Benji, touching his arm. “Thanks again for holding down the fort tonight.”
He grinned. “You know I wouldn’t have missed this celebration.”
“Of course he wouldn’t have—I’m here,” Lola joked, grabbing a couple beers then heading back toward the end of the bar.
Kinsley laughed. Just another day at Whiskey Blues. She made her way around the bar and approached Rhett. He was talking to Boone, but his eyes followed her with every step, warming as she got closer. The rings around her finger were a weight she enjoyed, a reminder that three months before Leo came into his world, they were married on the beach at Rhett’s house. The party had been there too. Nothing fancy, but beautiful under a blanket of stars. All the important people were there. Friends, family, everyone who mattered. Her heart warmed as Leo bounced faster, and all but leapt into her arms when she closed in on him. “I missed you too, sweetie,” she told him before attacking his little neck with kisses.
His laughter washed over her, the best sound she’d ever heard.
When she leaned away, Rhett caught her chin. “My turn.” His smile heated before he dropped his mouth to hers.
“Not only is your kid here, but so are others.”
Rhett chuckled against her lips, before pulling away and saying to Boone, “My son is gonna know how to love a woman right.”
Boone returned the smile and cupped Rhett’s shoulder. “Ah, Rhett West lessons. Never thought that’d actually be a good thing.”
Rhett barked a loud laugh. “You and me both, brother.”