Page 85 of Searching for Valor

He parked in his usual spot and made himself get out of the truck before he could think twice about it. Of course, Zak, Anna, Donovan, and his wife Sasha were all standing right there inside the door. Sasha had their son propped on her hip, and the sight of the baby had shame burning in his gut. He froze, his hand still on the door handle.

Of everything he’d said that morning, the words he’d hurled at Donovan like daggers were his biggest regret. It had been cruel of him to weaponize the man’s fears about his son and his TBI.

Valor rammed his head into the back of Rylan’s knees, urging him forward.

Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped inside.

The conversation in the room died instantly. Four pairs of eyes locked onto him, expressions ranging from relief—Anna—to wariness—Sasha—to barely concealed anger—Donovan. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the heat kicking on.

Zak was the first to speak. “Well, well. Look what the dog dragged in.” His tone was dry, but there was a hint of relief in his eyes. He reached down to ruffle Valor’s ears. “Good boy. You brought the stubborn ass back to us.”

Valor’s tongue flopped out of his mouth in a sloppy doggie grin as he soaked in the praise.

Anna elbowed her husband and offered Rylan a warm smile. “It’s good to see you, Rylan. You look…“ She trailed off and seemed to debate on her next words for a second before settling on, “better.”

“I feel better.” His gaze landed on Donovan, whose jaw was clenched so tight a vein stood out on the side of his shaved head. “Look, I know I’ve been an ass. I said some things… horrible things that I regret. I was angry and hurting, but that’s no excuse. So now I’m here to apologize and to ask for a chance to make things right.”

Donovan’s nostrils flared. “You think you can just waltz in here and everything’s gonna be peachy? After the shit you pulled?”

“Donovan,” Sasha murmured, placing a hand on his arm. “Let’s hear him out.”

Rylan swallowed hard. “No, I don’t expect that. I know I fucked up.”

“I trusted you,” Donovan bit out. “I told you things in confidence and you threw it all in my face in front of everyone.”

Rylan winced. He almost wished Donovan had hauled off and punched him because it would’ve hurt less than the raw pain in the big man’s voice. “I was out of line. the things I said…” He glanced at Zak. “To both of you. It was cruel and unforgivable, so I’m not asking for forgiveness, not yet. I’m just asking for a chance to earn it.”

Donovan stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed, some of the tension bleeding from his shoulders. “No, not unforgivable. But it’s gonna take more than a few pretty words to make this right.”

Rylan nodded, relief swelling in his chest. It was more than he deserved. “I understand. And I’m prepared to do whatever it takes.”

A slow, mean smile spread over Donovan’s rugged face. ”I’m not gonna lie. I contemplated murder.”

“Donovan,” Sasha chided, smacking her husband’s chest.

“It’s okay,” Rylan assured her. “It would have been a justifiable homicide.”

Donovan’s abrupt laugh broke the remaining tension in the room. “Damn right, it would’ve been. But lucky for you, I’m a forgiving man.” He stepped forward and pulled Rylan into a crushing bear hug, slapping his back hard. “I’m not saying we’re good, but… I’m willing to give you a chance to unfuck this situation. Welcome back, brother.”

Rylan returned the embrace, emotion clogging his throat. “Thanks, man. I won’t let you down again.”

“Better not, or Zak’s gonna be helping me dig a grave out in the woods.”

“How’d I get dragged into this?” Zak muttered.

The baby in Sasha’s arms let out a gurgle and reached for Donovan. The big man’s face immediately softened as he took his son, cradling him close. “Hey there, little man.”

Rylan’s throat tightened at the tender scene, a pang of longing piercing his heart. He wanted that— a family, a future, someone to come home to at the end of the day. And he wanted it with Izzy.

He realized Zak was grinning at him, his eyes glinting with mischief. “So. Did you finally pull your head out of your ass or did Valor have to do it for you?”

Rylan huffed a laugh. “A bit of both, I reckon.”

Anna’s smile almost matched her husband’s. “And Izzy?”

Rylan felt his cheeks heat. He rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. “We, uh, we talked last night. Hashed some things out.”

Anna’s eyes sparkled knowingly. “Uh-huh. I’ll bet there wasn’t much talking involved.”

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