“Hey, Billy,” I say, and I can see from the way he looks at me that he knows. “I was wondering if you had a minute,” I say, and he just nods his head. “I’m sorry,” I tell him, “for not being honest with you about who I was.”
“You had your reasons,” Billy says, bringing the cup to his mouth. “Knew you were hiding something.” My eyes search his. “Knew the minute I looked in your eyes. I just didn’t know what it was.”
“I should have just come out and told you right away,” I admit. “You guys accepted me and gave me more than anyone has ever given to me, and I should have done things differently.”
“I knew you would tell me eventually.” He smirks. “I didn’t think it would be this.” He takes a sip of his coffee.
“Go big or go home,” I joke with him and shake my head.
“You’re a good man, Asher,” he tells me. “Regardless of who shares your blood.”
“Thank you,” I tell him. “Coming from you, it means everything. She’ll never forgive me.” I wait now, and he takes a deep breath.
“I reckon with time she will,” he says, but his tone is not convincing. “She didn’t shoot you. That’s a good sign.”
I shake my head now, knowing I needed this moment right here. “Thank you,” I say. “I don’t think I could ever repay you.”
“Make it right with her, and we can call it even.” He turns now and walks back into the barn, leaving me looking up at the sky.
“I’ll die trying,” I say to myself.
I get in the truck and make my way over to Jacob's house. Ethan is already there sitting on the step, waiting. He gets up when he sees my truck and walks over to me. "You look like shit, brother," he says, and I stop and look at him. "My dad is coming, but um …" he says, and the door opens, and Kallie comes out. I can see that she spent the night pretty much crying because her eyes are puffy and red, and it kills me to know I did that to her. I did it to her daughter. She comes down the stairs with Jacob beside her. "Brace yourself."
I brace myself for the slap that is going to come. I brace myself for the harsh and vicious words. I brace myself for the wrath of a mother. I’m waiting for it to happen, and she just walks up to me and slowly hugs me. "I’m so so sorry," she whispers and tries not to cry. "No one deserves what happened to you." I’m shocked by her reaction. Not used to anyone caring about me.
I look over at Ethan and Jacob, who just rubs her back. "He’s fine," Jacob says to her. "Look, he’s healthy and strong."
She lets me go. "I’m sorry for getting your shirt wet."
"It’s fine," I say softly.
"We have to go, Mom, or else we’ll get back late," Ethan says, opening the back of the truck and getting in.
"Did you sleep last night?" Jacob asks, and I shake my head. "Looks like I’m driving," he says, turning to Kallie. "I’ll see you later."
I’m turning to get into the truck when I hear the sound of another car. I look up to see Beau arriving. He gets out of his car and comes over to us. "Sorry I’m late," he says, and I just look at him. "Why do you look surprised that I’m here?"
"I just figured," I say, and he slaps my shoulder with his hand, and he squeezes. "I lied to you guys, and you’d want me gone?"
"We owe you more than you know," Beau says. "My brother doesn’t know his ass from his elbow, but know that from this day on, you have family.” He smiles at me. “We take care of our own.”
I don’t say anything to him. Instead, I just nod and walk to the back of the truck. Jacob and Beau get into the truck, and I look out the window. A lone tear runs down my cheek as I watch Kallie wave goodbye.
When we arrive at the bank, Jacob looks around to make sure that nothing seems out of the norm. We walk into the bank, and the girl at the counter smiles at me. "How can I help you?"
"I have a safety-deposit box here I’d like to get into," I say, and she asks for my name and then tells me it will just be a minute. She comes back and tells us to follow her. My whole body feels numb. This whole thing is something out of a movie, yet it’s my real life. I step into the room with her, walking to the wall of boxes. She sticks her key in mine, and I take the key out and turn. The long beige box comes out, almost like Pandora’s box. She points me over to a room with a table and four chairs.