Page 105 of Searching for Valor

Rhiannon winced and poked her elbow into Pierce’s side. “Told you he’d know.” She took the ring out of her pocket andslid it on, wiggling her finger so that the diamond sparked in the light.

Rylan stared at the ring, a strange mix of emotions swelling in his chest. Pride. Happiness. And just the faintest ache of loss. His little sister, all grown up and ready to start her own life. And he’d nearly missed it, too caught up in his own pain to see how happy she was.

He cleared his throat. “You didn’t need to ask for my blessing, but you have it. Wholeheartedly.”

Rhiannon's eyes shone with tears as she launched herself off the couch and threw her arms around Rylan's neck. "Thank you," she whispered fiercely. "Thank you."

Rylan wrapped his arm around her, holding her tight. Over her shoulder, he met Pierce's gaze. The other man nodded, his expression solemn but his eyes warm with gratitude.

When Rhiannon finally pulled back, she swiped at her eyes. "Sorry. I told myself I wouldn't cry."

"Since when do you ever do what you're told?" Rylan teased gently.

She laughed, the sound a little watery. "I'm just so happy. I wasn't sure if..." She trailed off, shaking her head.

"If I'd pull my head out of my ass long enough to see how good you two are together?"

“Yeah. Exactly that.”

“We were starting to worry we’d have to opt for surgical removal.”

Rylan threw Pierce a wry look. "Hilarious. But… fair." He let out a long breath, his shoulders sagging. “But you don’t to worry about me anymore. I'm going to get the help I need. I've decided to check into a rehab program while Valor recovers."

Rhiannon blinked, her expression shifting from surprise to understanding. She threw herself into his arms arms again. “Good. Oh, that’s so good! I’m proud of you, Ry.”

“That’s a big step,”Pierce signed.“It’s the right one.”

Rylan let out a small, shaky laugh. “Can’t say I’m looking forward to it, but I need to do this. For myself. For Valor. For all of you. I leave in the morning.”

“Do you need us to stay tonight so you’re not alone?” Rhiannon asked, pulling back to meet his gaze. “I know how much you hate that.”

Rylan glanced around his too-quiet, too-empty house. For a moment, the idea was tempting. But then he shook his head. “No,” he said softly. “It’s okay. I need to learn how to be alone with my thoughts.”

“You’re a braver man than me,”Pierce signed. “Just remember, you’re never completely alone. You have us. You have Zak, Anna, Donovan, Sasha, Sawyer, Lucy, Veronica, Connelly, Shane, Alexis, Ellie, Cal, Ash, Rose?—”

Rylan chuckled, holding up a hand to stop him from listing off the whole town. “Okay, okay. I get it. I’m not alone.”

“And Izzy,” Rhiannon chimed in. “Right?” When he didn’t answer right away, she narrowed her eyes at him. “Right?Tell me you didn’t do something boneheaded tonight and push her away.”

“No,” Rylan said, his voice softening. “I tried, but she wouldn’t let me. She’s going to wait for me and we’ll figure things out when I get home.”

Rhiannon nodded once, satisfied. “I like her. She’s a smart woman and she doesn’t put up with your shit. She’s exactly what you need.”

Pierce rose from the couch and gently pulled his fiancee away.“All right. Let’s not get all up in his personal business. You didn’t like it when he did it to us.”

“Right.” Rhiannon held up her hands in surrender and took a demonstrative step backwards toward the door. “Right. Boundaries are good.”

Rylan walked them to the door, his heart feeling lighter than it had in months. As he watched Rhiannon and Pierce head down the porch steps, their hands entwined, he called out, "Hey, Rhee?"

She turned, her eyebrows raised in question. "Yeah?"

"I love you, you know."

Her expression softened, a smile spreading across her face. "I know. I love you, too, big brother." They started toward the car, but Rhiannon stopped halfway across the lawn and spun back. “Oh. One more thing. Call our parents, Ry. Tell them what’s been going on with you.”

Rylan’s chest tightened, a lump forming in his throat. “They’ll be disappointed.”

“Probably, but they love you. And they miss you. And you need all the support you can get. Call them.”

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