Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Mom sweeps me in her arms, brushing away my tears. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but can you ever forgive me?”
“You hurt me. You hurt Dad.”
“I wish I could take it all back.”
“But you can’t.” I pull away from her, staring into her eyes. “I can’t erase all the years I felt like you wished I was never born. I spent most of my life feeling like a burden, never having anyone to turn to for advice, and feeling inadequate in every sense of the word. But…”
“But?”
“But I know the truth now. I want to forgive you, but it will take time.”
“So, you’ll try?” Her voice sounds hopeful.
“Of course, I’ll try.”
I used to think I could never forgive her. But right now, right here, in this bed, in my new home, I know I can, eventually.
I thought I lost everything when she sent me away.
Instead, I found the most important thing—myself.
“Mom?”
“Yes, my love?”
“There’s nothing wrong with becoming you.” It’s my turn to wipe her tears. “I’ve always looked up to you.”
72
DANE
We have a game tonight, but that doesn’t stop me from driving to Coach’s house. After parking, I head to the door and knock.
Sherry answers the door with a large smile on her face. “Dane? Was Robert expecting you? He’s not here.”
“I’m actually not here to see Robert.”
“Checking in on Josie again?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“She’s in her room resting, but if you want to go up there . . .”
“I’ll do that.”
She steps out of the way, and I walk into the house and show myself to the room upstairs where Josephine is staying. I rap my knuckles on the door.
“Come in.”
I take a step in and see Josephine sitting up in the bed. She looks so small among the giant fluffy pillows and large bed. It makes me want to scoop her into my arms and tell her I’ll never let anything hurt her again, including myself.
“You’re back.” She tries to hide her excitement, but her eyes give her away. They shine brighter than usual.
I lean against the doorjamb. “That I am.”
Her nose twitches, and I have to hand it to her. She’s trying really hard not to smile, but there’s no hiding it. She’s happy I’m here. Thank fuck.
“Let me guess . . . more groveling?” she asks with the most serious face she can muster.
“I won’t stop until you tell me you love me.” I shrug. That’s the plan, at least. “Want to know why? Because I love you, Hellfire, and I’ll keep telling you until you believe me.”
“Interesting angle.”
“It’s the only angle I have. I’ll be here today, tomorrow, and every day until you smile at me and tell me I didn’t fuck up the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I want to, but I have a hard time—”
“I know. You can’t trust me yet . . . yet being the operative word. But you will. I’ll make myself worthy of your trust.”
“Don’t you have a game to play?”
“I do, but I wanted to stop by first and check in on you.”
I close the distance until I’m standing next to her bed, then point at the bed. Even though she let me sit with her yesterday, I still need her to give me the go-ahead. “Can I?”
She scoots over, leaving a free space.
I take a seat, then incline my head in her direction. “What’s on tap for today’s grovel?”
Her hand reaches out, and she rummages through the sheets. “Well, since you asked, today, I’m making Pinterest boards.”
“You’re doing what?”
She pulls her hand out, now clutching her phone. Her finger moves over the screen until she finds the app she’s looking for, then she points the phone in my direction.
“Making boards. Like online, I have boards where I have outfit inspos, favorite recipes, things like that.”
“Interesting.”
Not really, but I’ll never admit that. If this makes my girl happy, then it’s the best thing in the world.
She shrugs. “I think so.”
I incline my head toward her cell. “Can I help?”
“Not really sure this is something you can help with.”
“Try me.”
“Fine.” She moves over and gives me the spot right next to her in the bed so I can watch as she looks through images on the app.
After a few minutes of scrolling, Josephine stops. A pasta recipe with broccoli rabe is what she’s looking at. “Looks good, right?”
“It does.”
“Great, that means I’ll add it to my recipe board.”
She taps on the saved board and then adds it.
“Can I see that?” I reach my hand out.
“Sure.”
I take her phone in my hand and scroll through the pictures in the saved folder, noting in my mind the recipes and foods she’s deemed her favorite. Perfect.
A plan forms in my mind of what I’ll send her later today. She can’t come to the game, but I know she’ll be watching it from here, so I’ll send her favorite snack, and by the looks of it, it’s donuts.