Declan shrugged. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Besides, just calling in a marker. Thought your girl was worthy of it.”
Bogs had no clue who they had indebted themselves to on Kenzie’s behalf but he was grateful.
T smirked. “If she had wanted to go through with it, she couldn’t anyway, huh?”
Trent glanced over at Bogs. “She didn’t want it. She just wanted a little justice, and now she has it. If I had to guess,he’ll get what’s coming to him. The four years he did is nothing compared to what awaits him for the next twenty.”
Bogs nodded. “Thanks, I guess I owe you.”
Trent chuckled. “And you can be sure, I’ll be calling it in.”
Taylor.
****
The only sound was the rumbling of the truck on the gravel road and the faint sound of music coming from the radio. She was sitting in the middle, snuggled under Bogs’ arm. Her head lay on his chest as she stared at the back of the passenger seat.
The truck was so quiet she could her his even breath and the patter of his heart pumping softly. When he had gotten into the backseat with her, Stone moved to the front. None of them spoke, not even when T got in and started the truck.
Silence was good.
She knew whatever happened tonight would change her forever. She heeded Bogs’ warning. This was different now. The change wasn’t about what she had done, it was about what she hadn’t been able to do. It was a strange mixture of relief, followed by the strong surge of guilt. She did the right thing, at least for her. It was there all along, buried behind indecision.
She buried her face in his chest. His arms tightened around her and she felt the gentle kiss on her head. His fingers splayed over her arm and caressed her soothingly.
She wanted to ask what had happened when he went back inside but a deeper part of her didn’t want to hear the answer. She lifted her head slightly to look at him but her attention was drawn to her leg. The touch was so light, she almost didn’t feel it. Then the large hand curved around her calf. A small squeeze and a light pat. Her gaze rose to see T’s armbent back. It was an awkward position. He gave another small squeeze and she met his eyes in the rearview mirror.
He looked like a stranger in the dim light of the cab. His lips angled downward, but void of his usual scowl and glare. He almost looked...soft.Was that even possible?It was funny how so much could be said without a word ever being spoken. A gesture so small yet she got it. He lowered his chin, released her leg slowly and looked back at the road. She stared at him long after he trained his eyes on the road and for what seemed like forever. It was strange to think that a man she feared would be the one whose reassurance eased her. She was finally seeing why a girl like Cassie would be with a man like T.
She nestled into Bogs’ body and closed her eyes. The ride could have been five minutes or five hours, she wouldn’t have known the difference.
“Pretty girl.” A soft whisper in her ear. She pried her eyes open to see the door in the backseat open. Bogs leaned in cupping her jaw and kissing her softly. She squinted from her grogginess but scooted to the door. She made it to the edge of the seat when he scooped her up in his arms. He would get no argument from her. At this point, she wasn't sure she could or even wanted to walk anywhere.
The door slammed with a sharp bite then another and another. With her head resting on his shoulder she finally focused on where they were. She assumed they’d be going to her apartment or his but the large house in front of her proved her wrong. He walked up the path and she watched the Garrisons porch come into sight.
The door opened quickly and she saw John look down at her. He backed away not saying a word as Bogs passed through the threshold.
“Bogs,” she whispered.
“Shhh...” It was all she got as he made his way up the stairs and down the long hall. She knew where he was taking her even before he placed her on his bed. She watched as hecarefully took off her shoes then unsnapped her jeans, pulling them down her legs. There was no passion in his eyes. But there was love when he glanced up. He reached for the hem of her shirt lifting it over her head and dropping it on the floor. He did the same with his clothes and walked over to the door closing it.
When he came back, he folded down the cover and slipped inside, tucking her legs underneath. This was what she needed and he knew it. She turned to her side away from him but his hand curved around her hip, urging her to face him.
The curled her hand under her pillow staring in the most beautiful hazel eyes. The only ones she wanted to see right now.
He lifted resting his elbow on the bed and his hand on his ear.
“I still love Cheryl,” he said.
She was caught off guard by his statement and blinked, searching his face. That was the last thing she expected to hear from him. It was completely out of the blue.
“For all that she did to me and didn’t do for me, there’s a part of me that still loves her. Maybe if she hadn’t changed, I’d feel differently, who knows, but I do love her.” He must have read her confusion. “And if I could do that then you know all that you feel for your mom, all those memories and that love she gave you and you gave back, there’s no denying or doubting how much you love your mom.”
Tears trickled down, across the bridge her nose down her cheek and onto the pillow. “I just couldn’t do it.” He became a blurred vision.
He cupped her jaw circling her chin with his thumb. “You keep saying you couldn’t but you’re wrong. You chose not to, Kenzie. And if you need someone to say it, for some kind of unnecessary validation, I’ll do it. You made theright choice for yourself.”
He was right, she had made the choice and had no regrets. She sighed.
