Page 119 of Redemption

“Leaving the SEALs wouldn’t change that,” she said. She gave me a hug, and I felt a wave of love and acceptance wash over me. “So after you were discharged you came to New York?”

I nodded. “I accepted a job as a bouncer. Sloan came to the club where I was working one night, and she made me tell her what was going on. After that, we started texting, but we were just friends at that point.”

“At first, it was nothing. Jackson watched out for me. He offered to teach me self-defense.”

Greer listened, and I couldn’t get a read on her.

“Over time,” I said, “we spent more time together. We fell in love.”

“How much time?” Greer sank back onto the couch with a pinched expression. She rubbed her brow as if to ward off a headache. “How long were you sneaking around behind my back?”

Sloan winced. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. We were going to, but then…everything fell apart.”

“Wait.” Greer straightened and turned to Sloan. “Was he your mystery man? Is Jackson the one who broke your heart?”

Sloan rolled her lips between her teeth and nodded. Greer gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. “And you had to…” She shook her head. “That’s why you were such a wreck on my wedding day. I thought it was nerves.”

“I hadn’t seen Jackson in nearly a year at that point, and I didn’t know how on earth I was going to face him.”

“I wish you’d told me,” Greer said with a sympathetic expression. “And you—” She turned to me with narrowed eyes.

Sloan swiped away a tear. “I know how important your relationship with Jackson is, and I never wanted to come between the two of you. I’m sorry, Greer.”

“And I know how important Sloan is to you,” I said. “And I refused to jeopardize your friendship. I’m sorry.”

Greer’s expression was contemplative, and Sloan gripped my hand. I knew she was concerned. Hell, I was worried how my sister would react.

Finally, Greer sighed. “So am I. I was young, and it was selfish of me to try to forbid you from seeing each other. At the time, I was still hurt about losing my high school friend, but I didn’t think anything would come of my comment. I wish you’d talked to me sooner, but I guess I can understand why you didn’t.”

“You were justified for making that comment,” I said. “I was young and selfish too, but I’ve matured. We all have.”

“I still have so many questions,” Greer said on a laugh.

“Like what?” Sloan asked, seeming to relax.

“Does Mom know? Or did she know?”

I shook my head. “No. I never told her.”

“I can’t believe you guys were able to keep it a secret for so long. How did I never catch you?”

“There were certainly a few close calls.”

“Way too close,” I said, thinking of a few of them.

“I feel like everything I ever knew is wrong,” Greer said, but she was smiling. “I’m happy for you. Both of you.”

Sloan smiled at me, clearly relieved. And then she leaned her head on Greer’s shoulder. “Thanks for being so awesome.”

I finally relaxed, knowing that we had my sister’s support. Everything was finally falling into place. My relationship with Sloan. Our future. It was more than I could’ve hoped for.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

When I padded out to the living room the following morning, the door to Jackson’s room was open. I peeked my head inside, but I wasn’t surprised to find it unoccupied. I knew he’d planned to go the gym and make some calls, so he’d asked some of the Huxley Grand security team to stand guard in the hall outside. The curtains fluttered, beckoning me to where Greer was sitting in a fluffy white robe. She sipped her coffee and peered out at the ocean.

I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Greer alone since Jackson and I had told her about our relationship, and I’d wanted to give her some time to digest the news. I hoped she was still as supportive as she’d been last night. Though, I knew it might take her some time to adjust to the idea of us as a couple.

“Hey.” I peeked my head out onto the balcony. “Can I join you?”

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