Page 69 of Searching for Valor

Shane nodded and stood. “We’re not those guys anymore. Can’t be. But…” He met Jax’s gaze, and something heavy passed between them in that moment. “The guys we are now aren’t so bad.”

Tears flooded Jax’s eyes and spilled over. “I’m trying.”

Shane reached over the table to squeeze his shoulder. “I know. And I forgive you.”

chapter

twenty-four

After Shane droppedhim off at home, Rylan let Valor run around the yard. He felt guilty for leaving the dog in a kennel all day.

Which made him think of Jax living in a goddamn cage for years.

His gut twisted and he sank to the front steps of his porch, his legs suddenly too heavy to move. The evening was quiet, save for the distant hum of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves. He hadn’t touched alcohol since Zak showed up with Valor, and the temptation loomed, beckoning him with the seductive whisper of oblivion.

I shouldn’t be alone.

As if the thought conjured her, Veronica appeared on the road at the end of his driveway, her two dogs by her side—sleek, muscular Rebel and tiny Alfie with his big fluffy ears and bowtie.

She hesitated, then started up the driveway.

Fuck.

She wasn’t who he wanted to see right now. Not after the emotional rollercoaster of visiting Jax. He fought the urge to retreat into the house, to avoid whatever conversation she had in mind. “Did Shane send you to babysit me?”

“No. Why? Do you need a babysitter?”

“Fuck, no.”

“Good.” She studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable in the darkness. Then she sighed and moved to sit beside him on the step, leaving a careful space between them. “I was out for a walk and saw you sitting here. You look…” She trailed off and didn’t seem inclined to finish the thought.

“Pathetic?” he suggested.

“Your word, not mine. I was going to say lost.”

He scoffed. “I can’t be lost sitting on my own front porch.”

“Seriously? You know better than most that’s not true.”

Alfie trotted over to him and sniffed his pant leg, then jumped up in his lap. The small dog’s warm weight was comforting, and Rylan found himself absently stroking Alfie’s soft fur.

The psychic dog strikes again.

Alfie had a reputation around Redwood Coast Rescue for always knowing who needed the most comfort, and he must have decided, tonight, that person was Rylan.

Valor padded over to sniff Rebel, and Veronica nodded toward the pair. “I heard you got a dog finally.”

“Zak’s idea.”

A genuine smile curved her lips. “Always is. How do you think I ended up with Rebel?”

They watched in silence as Rebel and Valor circled each other. The dogs’ tails wagged, hesitant at first, then with more vigor. Rebel gave a play bow, and then the two were off, racing around the yard, growling playfully.

“You’re an asshole,” Veronica said finally. “I never thought that about you until the other day in the hospital. After all that shit you said…” She shook her head. “I almost kept walking just now. I didn’t want to stop and talk to you.”

He glanced at her. “So why did you?”

She said nothing for a beat, then exhaled sharply, her breath fogging in the air. “Because you’re also the reason I can go for walks without panicking.”

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