Page 86 of Timeless: Encore

Chapter twenty-nine

ZANE

The Next Day - Ty is Home

Thedayhasfinallyarrived.

My band’s fate is about to be decided.

On the shores of Lake Washington, at the McGloughlin’s house, Connor, Jace, and I unloaded a decade’s worth of shit and realized all of us want—and need—LTZ. If we rewrite some rules. Unlike when we started out, we have our families to consider. Wives, girlfriends, children.

Our lives are bigger. Richer. Fuller.

Hence, the source of Jace’s hesitation. He and Alex haven’t fully discussed the realities of LTZ getting back together. They’ve been focused on her health for a long time. Notoriously closed-lipped, both of them made it difficult for anyone to realize how bad things were. Ty and Zoey knew more than we did, though. Which makes sense why Jace resented their inability to be there for Alex during her time of need.

Jace’s anger was rooted in the years they felt they had to hide their relationship. To protect Ty and Zoey. He was pissed he missed out on years with Alex. When Connor pointed out that Ty and Zoey would have never wanted them to be apart if they were truly ready for a committed relationship, Jace reluctantly acknowledged that his blame was likely misplaced.

He even laughed when I reminded him their relationship—hookups, whatever—was the worst-kept secret ever.

Getting real with my band-brothers reminds me we’re all doing the best we can. My bandmates. Our partners. Our families.

Sometimes a little grace goes a long way.

Which is why Fee and I invited Carter and my mom to come over early this morning for breakfast. Neither of us wanted the baggage from our time in Arizona—or from childhood—to bleed into today’s meeting. With Mia at Faye’s house, there was freedom to speak freely. Fee and I apologized for leaving so abruptly. Promised to have open hearts.

Moving forward, the four of us agreed to remember the past, and focus on the future.

Our discussion ended when Connor, Ronni, Jace, and Alex arrived a couple hours later. Carter was able to visit with us for a bit before leaving to pick up Zoey. She left Arizona a week prior to Ty’s release on doctor’s orders, so she’s only blocks away. Together, they’re meeting Ty at the private air strip at Boeing Field, where his jet is due to land any minute now.

As we wait, I’m aware of the animated conversations going on all around me, but I’m not overly engaged. The energy is charged. Uncertain. I, for one, am nervous.

Yet…hopeful.

Moments later, when the doorbell rings and I lead Ty, Zoey, and Carter into the conservatory, I suddenly feel like I’m floating above my body.

Ty walks in looking magnificent. Healthy. Confident. Authentic. The sorrow behind his eyes has been replaced with acceptance. Love. He’s present. Not hiding off somewhere in his mind.

He captivates the room with his story. Explains his childhood and how that’s affected him. His diagnosis. His behavior. All around me, tears flow. As for me, I’ve never heard him detail his own story this way. How he’s managed to survive all these years is beyond me. I’m so proud this man, whom I’ve always considered to be a brother, is my actual brother.

When he’s finished, Ty takes a deep breath and deliberately looks at Jace, me, and Connor. “I’ll shut up now, but before I do, I’m sorry. I said horrible things to all of you. Things I truly didn’t mean. I can’t expect any of you to understand. This information is, well … It’s a lot. I just need you all to know while I’m never going to be cured, I’ve done everything in my power to learn how to manage my CPTSD. I understand if you don’t want anything to do with me. If the band is truly broken up. I hope that isn’t the case, because I was so fucking excited to start things up again. No matter what happens, all of you are my family. I hope you’ll find it in your hearts to forgive me. To learn more. To talk to me. I’m an open book. I’m not hiding anymore. And I’m not going to let what happened fucking define me anymore.”

Ronni sobs openly, runs to Ty. “Iunderstand, Ty. I’m sorry you felt so alone for so long. You’re a good man, sweetheart. You deserve happiness. I’m here for you. Connor too.”

I think her sentiment is echoed by all of us, as evidenced by the whispers and buzzing between the couples. Jace and Alex leave shortly after he’s done, followed by Ty and Zoey, leaving just the six of us.

Fee stands next to where I’m sitting. Her expression is hard to read. I know we were both hoping that Ty and Zoey would stay.

Ronni notices. She crosses the room to embrace my wife. “Are you okay? That was a lot.”

“I’m fine.” She wiggles her fingers at me so I take her hand and pull her down into my lap. Cradle her head and whisper how much I love her in her ear. Give her a little head snuggle. Breathe her in until she’s calm.

I realize we’re in our own world when Connor joins us and asks Ronni, “Should we go?”

“No, Connor. Ronni. Please stay. Let’s talk this out for a bit.” My mom surprises all of us by speaking up. For most of the day, she’s kept mum.

Ronni looks up at Connor. “Yes, I’d like that.”

“Aye. We’ll stay,” he says as he kisses her lips.

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