I’m sitting in the corner high-back chair tying my shoes when the door opens. I look up to see Titan enter.
“Hey.” I stand.
He opens his arms and walks over to me, pulling me in for a man hug with a slap on the back. When he steps back, he keeps his hands on my shoulders. “You look great.” He smiles at me.
“You sound surprised,” I joke.
He runs a hand down his freshly shaven face. “It could have gone either way.”
I laugh because we both know that’s true. I was either going to rot in that place or decide that I needed to change who I was and what I wanted out of life. April is the new me. The future that I want. What I never knew could exist.
His face goes serious, and he lets out a long breath. “Seriously, Grave. You look great.” His eyes roam over my face. “Decided to leave the piercings out?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
He grips my face. “Makes you look like a baby.”
The guys always joked that I had a baby face. We both laugh, and the door opens. My laughter dies, and I clear my throat when my brother enters.
“Once you’re done, meet me at the altar,” Titan tells me.
I nod. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
He turns and exits, not saying another word. Bones closes the door and faces me. He doesn’t say anything, just stands with his arms crossed over his chest and the usual scowl on his face.
I bow my head, fixing my suit jacket, unable to meet his eyes. “You can save the big brother speech. You can’t tell me anything that I don’t already know.” I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed of the things I’ve done.
He remains silent.
I keep my eyes down and head to the door, ready to get this over with, but at the last minute, he grabs my upper arm and brings me to a stop. My eyes snap up to meet his. “Bones…”
“You’re wrong,” he says. “There is something that I can tell you that you don’t already know.”
My first thought is April. She’s found someone else. Four weeks without someone is a long time. She’s moved on, found someone to treat her the way she deserves.
He places his hands on either side of my face, drawing me closer to him. I watch his hard blue eyes soften and I hold my breath, preparing for the worst.
“You know, we both lost a mother,” he starts, and a knot instantly forms in my throat. “But you know what else I lost?” I don’t answer. “A brother. A best friend.” I swallow. “I lost you the day that we buried Mom. And I’ve been losing you every day since to your addiction.”
He’s right. I’ve pushed everyone away, even April. And I need to be a man and take responsibility for my mistakes. “I’m sorry,” I choke out.
“No.” He grips my shoulders tighter. “I’m sorry I let you down. But I won’t do it again.”
I sniff and he pulls me in for a hug.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispers. “And Mom would be proud of you.”
My throat tightens at his words.
“I…” He clears his throat. “I didn’t realize until this morning that I was your biggest problem.”
I pull away quickly, frowning. “No.”
“I let you go too far.”
I sigh. “You couldn’t have stopped me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he argues. “I realize I failed you in the worst way a brother could fail. But I promise you, Kyle. I will not fail you again. Do you understand me?”
