Page 105 of Redeeming Melodies

That got a real laugh from me. "Yeah? The upstanding Sheriff Thompson throwing hands?"

"For family?" His voice went serious. "In a heartbeat."

Family. The word hit like a punch to the gut.

"The hearing's in three days." Had to say it, had to know. "I know with Ramirez and everything"

"I'll be there." No hesitation, no qualifiers. Just certainty. "Wild horses couldn't keep me away."

"Even with the media circus it'll be?" Had to give him the out. "They'll be all over this, Jake. The small town sheriff and the gay racing champion. Headlines write themselves."

"Fuck the headlines." Simple, sure. "I'm not letting you face this alone."

My throat went tight. Because this man - this incredible, steady man - kept choosing us. Kept putting himself out there despite the cost.

"I hit him pretty hard." The confession came quiet. "Anderson. Might have broken his nose."

"Good." Jake's fierce approval made me smile. "Though maybe don't lead with that in court."

"No promises." But the knot in my chest had loosened. "Miss you. Miss home."

"Soon." His eyes said everything his voice couldn't. "We'll get through this hearing, deal with whatever fallout comes, and then"

"And then?"

"And then we build something real. Together."

Together. Such a simple word for something that felt anything but simple.

"Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"Those bruises" Had to ask, had to know. "You're really okay?"

His smile went gentle. "Better now. Seeing you, hearing your voice. Makes everything manageable somehow."

"Soft." But my own smile probably gave me away.

"Only for you." He shifted, wincing slightly. "And maybe Tommy."

"He asked about you yesterday." Jake's voice pulled me back. "Wanted to know if you were coming home soon."

"What'd you tell him?"

"That his dad's fighting for him. That sometimes the most important races aren't on a track."

Trust Jake to know exactly what to say, exactly how to steady me even through a screen.

"Think we'll win?" The question came small, vulnerable.

"Think you've got something Vanessa doesn't." His certainty wrapped around me like armor. "A real home. A community thatgives a damn. And a sheriff who'll move heaven and earth to keep your family together."

The city lights seemed dimmer now, less important. Because everything that mattered was on that screen. Everything worth fighting for.

I foundCassidy and Sarah on the other side of the door, their faces carrying that look I'd learned to dread. The one that said shit was about to hit every available fan.

"Move." Cassidy pushed past me, all business and barely contained fury. Sarah followed, already pulling out her phone like the weapon it was.

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