“We’ve got another Cooper and Greg on our hands,” Jackson grinned. “How long's it been? They kept it from us for a year.”
Simon chuckled. “Theythoughtthey kept it from us.”
“Well, I knew,” Adam added wrapping his arm around Phantom as we all walked toward the cars. “MyHe-Manwill tell me anything if I…”
Phantom put his hand over Adam’s mouth. “Oh no, Darlin’. We’re not sharing what we do at home with anyone.”
Cole laughed. “I think we rank up there in terms of epic love stories.”
“And definitely length of time,” Patrick added, kissing Cole on the cheek.
Dare snorted. “I have three words,” he said, pointing at me. “Turkish Oil Wrestling.”
I laughed. “I thought you were gonna say unicorn dildo.”
“And now we’re gonna need both of those stories too, man. I heard Santa Claus is involved? Kinky. I like it.” Marcus wiggled his eyebrows, making Aidan groan.
John pulled me closer. “I think we’ve found our people, sweetheart.”
I looked at all these men who had come to support me of all people. “I think we’ve had them all along.”
When we got back to the cabin, I took off my uniform and hung it up. Redressing in jeans and a t-shirt, I put the rest of my things in my bag.
Pulling out the letter, I sat down on the bed and looked at it. I could hear my friends in the family room and for once, I wasn’t the center of attention.
Tears were beginning to rise to the surface and I needed a place to read it where I could break down. So I headed out onto the deck and down the stairs. I took a seat at the fire pit and sat back. I looked up at the trees and felt the whispering winds brush across my face. I closed my eyes and breathed in the smell of the evergreen trees.
Lifting the envelope to my nose, I could smell my dad’s cologne. I carefully unsealed it and removed the letter. Leaning forward, I unfolded it and looked at my father’s familiar handwriting. Tears filled my eyes as I felt the loss of him even more now.
Dear Brent,
If you’re reading this, I’ve passed. Your uncle was kind enough to grant my dying wish to deliver this to you. I hope that I’ve been good enough of a man to join your brother, but I’m not so sure I deserve it.
My brush with death last week gave me a new perspective on life. When the doctors told me I had a month at best, I knew what I needed to do. I’m too late to make things up to you, but I want you to know how proud I am of you. Your mother and I didn’t make it easy on you, but there are some things I want you to know.
I am so proud of the man you’ve become, Brent. You have picked yourself up and moved on when we couldn’t. I know I haven’t been a good father to you since your brother died, and wasting that time with you is the biggest regret of my life.
Every time someplace in the world was in chaos, I prayed you weren't involved.
I don’t blame you for Matt’s death. There is nothing you could have done to prevent it. You were the best big brother he could have ever have. And he loved you dearly. Your mother needs someone to blame, and she chose you. I should have put her in her place. She needs help, and I hope she’ll get it. She's not your responsibility.
I’m sorry for putting my own pain ahead of yours.It's the worst feeling in the world to bury your child, and I hope you never know what it feels like. But that's no excuse for how we treated you.
I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you, and I’m sorry I emotionally abandoned my fifteen-year-old son. You are twice the man I am, and I hope you share all that love in your heart with someone. I wish I could have seen your children, but know I’ll be watching over you and your family.
I want you to take Winston. He was always meant to be yours. I got him for you when you got out of the service, but selfishly held on to him because he was a connection to you. I know you’ll give him a better home than we ever could.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten something, but the most important thing is for you to know is how much I love you. You're a good man, son. Share that love and watch it grow.
Love,
Dad
Tears streamed down my face, making the ability to see the paper very difficult. The last time I'd cried like this was when my brother died. He might not think he deserved to be with Matt wherever he might be, but I did. And maybe they'd find Nate too.
As I folded it back up, Winston ran up and put his head in my lap.He looked up at me with sad brown eyes until I put my hands on him.
“Hey, buddy,” I said, rubbing his head."Ready to live in Portland? You're gonna love it. We run every day."
