Page 142 of Give Me Redemption

I down the rest of my beer and walk to the island, resting my elbows on it and rubbing my forehead.

“I know you’re tired of hearing I’m sorry.”

My head lifts when I hear her voice.

“But I really am. Please don’t leave me,” she says. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

I shake my head and walk around the island. God, I love this woman. I grab her and kiss her sadness away.

“I’m the one who’s sorry,” I say as I pull back. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

I pull my smokes from my front pocket. “I’m going to go smoke.” I head out of her bedroom. “My family doesn’t hate you. Hurry up,” I call back.

Harrison and Bryce won’t be out there, so running into them won’t be an issue. Pops and Monnie are the ones who told me to go for this, so I’m not worried about them. Emily and Lou will want me to be happy, so there isn’t a problem there either.

This will be nice. I get to bring my girl around my family, but this time it’ll be real.

I hope one day I can bring her around Bryce and Harrison.

I open the window in her living room and sit on the window seat before I light my cigarette. Slim jumps up and rubs against me.

I haven’t spoken to my brother a whole lot over the last few months. Each time we argue, we spill a little more resentment. It’s like a cleansing, but it’s stressful and it sucks that we’re drifting apart.

Dalton walks from the bedroom, flicking the light off as she goes. “What about Bryce and Kathrine?”

“They won’t be there,” I say, blowing smoke out the window.

“You do realize one day you’re going to have to tell them.”

“I know. But right now, it’s kinda fun, huh?” I smile. It is hot being sneaky, but at the same time I want to be honest with my brother.

“Yeah, I guess it is.”

I toss my smoke and shut the window.

“Lock it,” she says.

“Dalton, no one can get in here.”

“You know how I feel about windows.”

I pull the lock. “Done,” I reply, standing up and walking over to her.

She nods and exhales. “How are we going to move forward if you keep us a secret?”

“Forward how?” I ask curiously.

She chews on her inner cheek.

“How do you want to move forward, Harlow?” I don’t call her Harlow much, but when I do it’s to get her full attention. I reach down and grab her hand, linking my fingers with hers, wanting her to tell me what I want to hear. Does she want to move in together like I do?

“You should stop smoking, baby.” She rolls her eyes and pulls away from me. “It stinks.”

Oh, she’s good at changing subjects.

“You know we have to talk about these kinds of things.”

“There won’t be anything to talk about until you’re open with your family. Bryce is one of the most important people in your life.” She grabs her suitcase from the bed, and I walk over to take it from her. “I’ve got it,” she says.

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