Page 54 of Broken Bonds

Gina, a widower who also just lost her nineteen-year-old son in an army mission, speaks first. This is only her second or third time coming here, but she’s been incredibly open from the get-go. Her husband died several years ago from a heart attack and when she was finally pulling herself back together again, her son was killed in action. She says talking about them with others helps, but she has no more family, so these meetings are the only times she really gets the chance to.

Three more people speak before Shelby calls an end to the meeting, telling us all she’ll see us in a few days if we plan to come to the next meeting. The room becomes a flurry of motion as everyone gets up and several people help Shelby fold and put away the chairs, including me. Ramsey also helps after a few minutes of watching us.

Several of the others hang back, chatting with one another and drinking a cup of coffee. Others leave as soon as they can. Once the chairs are put away, Shelby makes her way over to me and Ramsey, a genuine smile painted on her lips as she looks at Ramsey.

“Hey Link. How are things since the last meeting?” she asks me when Ramsey steps back a bit, hiding slightly at my back.

I nod, stuffing my hands in my pockets. “Good. Coming here and talking with you guys helps. I didn’t think it would, but…” I tell her, shaking my head.

She laughs. “I told you. You can’t keep it all locked up inside. Glad you’ve stuck around the last several weeks.”

Shelby tilts to the side slightly to look at Ramsey. “Hello there. And how did this meeting feel for you, Ramsey? Do you think you’ll come back?”

I glance back, watching as Ramsey nibbles on her bottom lip, contemplating Shelby’s question before answering her.

“I think I will. Come back, that is. I feel like this could be a good start for me to begin healing.”

Shelby considers Ramsey for a moment, a soft look in her eyes as she takes in Ramsey’s appearance. Not just the way she looks on the outside. Shelby has an uncanny ability to see the mess and turmoil fighting inside of you. She found her purpose after her omega died in helping others struggling with the same pain she is. I admire her for her strength to keep going, even if she says it’s only because Salice would have kicked her ass and sent her back.

“Good. If you ever need anything, someone to talk to or whatever, you give me a call, okay? I mean it. Even if you just want to scream until you can’t anymore.”

Ramsey takes the piece of paper with Shelby’s name and number scrawled across it and sticks it in her pocket.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

Shelby tilts her head in acknowledgement before shooing us away, telling us she’s got the rest of the cleanup. I’ve taken to staying behind and helping her on the nights that I come in, but I think she can sense that Ramsey is ready to bolt and she knows how much I’ve wanted to speak to her since the funeral.

I’ve brought up Ramsey briefly in the meetings, but I’ve discussed Lake and my struggles with him in greater detail. Even spent some time reflecting on the past.

It reallydoeshelp, even if it’s hard in the beginning, talking about the people you’ve lost.

I don’t want to forget my brother, and talking about him ensures I won’t.

I walk outside with Ramsey, following her down the sidewalk toward where she parked. She’s quiet, lost in thought, and I’m struggling to find something to say to her suddenly. I can tell that my presence still distresses her, even if it brings her a small amount of comfort as well.

At her car, she stops and turns to face my direction, but doesn’t look at my face. Instead, she stares intently at my chest and a sigh escapes me.

“Thank you for… coming out and getting me to come in. And for staying by my side in there. I really appreciate it.”

“It’s no problem, Ramsey. Sometimes, we need a little push to get where we need to go. I’m glad I could be that push for you today,” I tell her sincerely.

She blows out a breath, closes her eyes like she’s talking herself down, and when she opens them again, she’s staring right at me.

I can’t breathe. Her bright green eyes feel like they’re staring deep into my soul, seeing the incomplete part of me left behind now that Lake’s gone.

“I’m sorry I keep avoiding looking at you. It’s hard, but I have to keep reminding myself you’re not him.” I begin to interrupt her, but she narrows her eyes on me, so I snap my lips shut and listen. “I’m working on getting myself back together, which means if you’re going to be around, I need to get used to seeing you and not avoiding your face. So, with that being said, would you like to go grab a coffee with me? Maybe dinner? I can practice and maybe tell you a little more about our lives in exchange?”

She’s nervous, twisting her fingers together as she stands in front of me, and I think my heart just fell out of my chest and landed on the pavement in front of her.

This woman.

Thisomegais much stronger than she believes.

“I’d really like that. Anywhere in particular you have in mind?”

Ramsey smiles, an actual smile that brightens her features and makes me realize exactly why I called her Sunshine earlier.

“I know just the place,” she snorts. “Follow me?”

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