Page 107 of Penalty to the Heart

“Unfortunately, he’s not here to see it, is he?” Nate’s face falls with my statement.

“No. I guess he’s not,” he mutters.

“Let’s not talk about shit we can’t control, okay? It’s a party. A happy fucking occasion. How about we just concentrate on that?”

Nate nods, still staring at me like I’ve grown a second head.

“You really have to stop that shit, Nate. I’m starting to gain a complex over here.”

“Sorry. I’m just proud of all the progress you’ve made lately. Really proud.”

I’m not sure why his approval means so much to me, but it does.

Maybe it’s because if Nate is proud of me somehow, then Jack would be too.

But I still have a long way to go to be proud of myself.

And one way I can make that happen is to own up to my mistakes.

There’s one person in particular that definitely deserves my apology.

“Have you seen Bellamy around? Did he come to this at all?”

“Why?” Nate asks suspiciously.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist, big guy. The only reason why I’m asking is because I owe him an apology. He didn’t deserve how I welcomed him to the team. That shit was beyond reprehensible. I need to set things right by him and apologize for my behavior.”

“Okay, who are you, and what have you done to my friend Caleb?” Nate chuckles with a wide, proud grin stitched to his face.

“Like you said—I’ve grown up. And part of growing up is taking responsibility for one’s actions. So, is he here or not?”

Nate’s eyes shine bright with pride as he points to the corner of the room.

I immediately see Bellamy hiding in a corner, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else but here. And from what Roxanne confided in me, I’m sure he would rather be beside his family tonight than attend a fucking party. But seeing as it’s Rex’s last bash, it would have looked weird for him not to show up. Though I guess I’m at fault for him hiding out in a dim-lit corner, too. I sure didn’t make things easy for him to feel that he’s an integral part of the team.

“Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need it. You’re doing the right thing.”

I offer Nate a genuine smile and make my way across the room where Bellamy is nursing a glass of expensive pink champagne. When he sees me walking towards him, I watch his spine go ramrod straight and puff out his chest, already on guard.

Guess I deserve that.

After all, I did sucker punch the guy when he wasn’t expecting it.

Hardly a fair fight.

“Hi,” I greet once I reach him.

“Hi?” he retorts, sounding confused with such a familiar greeting.

“Mind if we talk for a bit?”

“That all depends? Are you going to punch me again?”

“No. My fighting days are over.”

“Excuse me if I don’t believe you.”

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