"That's... that's great, James. Really."
"There's more," he continues. "Once this situation with the Eagles is resolved, I want you to go back to nursing school. I'll support you this time, not the other way around. I'll get a second job if I need to."
Tears spring to my eyes unexpectedly. The dream of finishing my nursing degree—a dream I buried years ago beneath the weight of responsibility—suddenly feels possible again.
"You don't have to decide anything now," James says quickly, misinterpreting my tears. "I know I've broken too many promises for you to trust me right away. I'll prove it with actions, not just words."
I cross the small room and do something I haven't done in a very long time. I hug my brother. He stiffens in surprise, then wraps his arms around me, holding on tightly as if afraid I might disappear.
"I'm proud of you," I whisper, meaning it. "For wanting to change. For admitting you need help."
"I should have done it years ago," he says, his voice trembling. "Before I dragged you into this mess."
We stay like that for a long moment, the embrace healing something broken between us. When we finally separate, both wiping away tears, I feel lighter somehow. Not naive enough tobelieve everything is fixed, but hopeful in a way I haven't been in years.
"We should finish packing," I say, gesturing to his empty hands. "Jacob will be waiting for us."
James nods. "About Steel... Jacob... whatever his name is. Are you sure about him? About this thing between you?"
It's a fair question, one I've been asking myself all day. Am I sure about a man I've known for less than twenty-four hours? A man who belongs to a motorcycle club? A man whose gentle hands with me have undoubtedly done violence to others?
"I'm not sure about anything right now," I answer honestly. "Except that when I'm with him, I feel... seen. Not just as your sister or the reliable waitress or the girl who gave up everything for her family. Just as me."
James considers this, then nods slowly. "For what it's worth, I think he really cares about you. The way he stepped between us in the kitchen, ready to protect you from me... I've never seen anyone look at you that way before. Like you're precious."
"I care about him too. I don't know where it's going, but I want to find out."
"Then I won't stand in your way," James promises. "You've sacrificed enough for me. It's time you got to live your own life."
The simple acknowledgment of my sacrifices, coming from the person I've given everything for, feels like a weight lifting from my shoulders, a weight I've carried for so long I'd forgotten it was there.
"Thank you," I say simply.
James gives me a small smile. "I'll go pack my stuff. Meet you in the main room?"
I nod, and he turns to leave, pausing at the door. "Oh, and Holly? I'm glad you slapped me. I had it coming."
After he's gone, I finish gathering my few belongings, my mind swirling with the events of the past twenty-four hours. My life has been completely upended. Apartment destroyed, safety compromised, virginity gone, brother finally facing his demons, and yet, strangely, I feel more centered than I have in years.
A soft knock interrupts my thoughts again.
"Come in," I call, smiling when Jacob appears in the doorway.
"Hey," he says, his eyes warm as they take me in. "All packed?"
I hoist my small backpack. "This is everything."
He crosses to me, taking the backpack and setting it aside before pulling me into his arms. I go willingly, melting against the solid wall of his chest, breathing in the now-familiar motor oil and leather scent of him.
"You okay?" he asks, his hands running soothingly up and down my back. "That thing with your brother earlier..."
"I'm good," I assure him, pulling back just enough to look up at his face. "Actually, James and I just had a real conversation. The first honest one in years."
Jacob's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Yeah? How'd that go?"
"Surprisingly well. He apologized. Seems like King showed him some footage from the clubhouse attack that put things in perspective. James says he's going to get help for his gambling. That he wants me to go back to nursing school when this is all over."
"And do you believe him?" Jacob asks, his tone neutral but his eyes searching mine.
