Preston
I intertwined my fingers with Trinity’s, tugging her through the sliding glass doors to Silver Ridge. I felt light on my feet. Here, in Mayson Ridge, I could hold her hand. Hell, I could kiss her if I wanted to and not give a single fuck who saw. I made a call to a lawyer that I’d previously worked with during my time playing with the Panthers. I asked him to review the Handbook for the university. Maybe he could find something I missed. Anything that would allow me to be with her, without punishment.If that even existed.
When Millie texted me this morning that Ray was having agood day, it was the icing on the cake. I wanted him to meet her. When he was remembering. When he was the Ray who raised a young boy into a man. I wanted him to meet the woman I was slowly falling in love with. Yes, I was aware, and no, I was not stopping it. There was no point. Not now. Not anymore.
“Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?” Trinity asked for the third time since we pulled into the parking lot.
“Of course.” I squeezed her hand. “Relax. This will make his day.”
When we passed the reception desk, I smiled at Vera as she waved from her usual spot.
She gave me a wink when she saw Trinity. “He’s in the common room.”
We followed a long hallway before veering off to the right. I spotted him instantly, playing a card game with another resident.
His eyes caught on me, and his face lit up with recognition.
Damn, the relief always felt good.
The relief that he knew me.
He tossed his cards down, his bushy eyebrows lifting when he noticed the bombshell beside me. “We need to pause, Marvin. My son is here.”
He pushed to his feet, his unlit pipe poking out of his shirt pocket, just like always.
“And who is this beauty?” he asked, completely ignoring my presence.
Trinity laughed, and I couldn’t help but swell with pride.
“Dad, this is Trinity. Trinity, this is Ray Rusk.”
He hobbled over, reaching out for Trinity’s hand.
“It’s so nice to meet you. Preston has told me a lot about you,” she greeted.
I’d answered a million questions on the drive here. Even going back to how Ray met Cecile.
He surprised Trinity by pulling on her hand, rallying her in for a hug. He embraced her, then let go and faced me. “I bet he has.”
I chuckled, wrapping him up in my own hug. “How you doing, old man?”
He stepped back. “You tell me.” He pointed at his head. “Got a new haircut and I just won fifty dollars from Marvin.”
“Sounds like a good day to me,” Trinity offered.
I laid a hand on his back. “Want to show us the garden?”
His eyes brightened. “Got a few things blooming.” He turned on his heel, so I took Trinity’s hand in mine, following him out the door.
Two hours later, I sat at one of the patio tables next to the garden, watching the way Trinity’s eyes danced with laughter.
“No, he didn’t.” She cupped a hand over her mouth.
“Yep. Fully naked.” Ray pointed a finger at me. “You better be glad I never told your mother.”
I shook my head, partially embarrassed that he was even telling this story. I was fifteen, an idiot, and lost a bet. Unfortunately, the sheriff just happened to be doing a random drive-by down at the park when I was paying my dues.
“All right. I think that’s enough. You’ve told enough stories for one day,” I grumbled.
