Page 149 of Give Me Redemption

“Yep,” I say, standing up from the couch. We head out of my apartment, holding hands as I make her laugh with a dumbass joke I heard the other day. I unlock the truck doors, and we both start to climb in.

“Going to a game?” I hear. I turn to look at Bryce as he leans against his new, more baby friendly truck he bought for Rylee, my niece.

He’s got his arms crossed over his chest, looking at me through narrowed eyes.

“Stalking me?” I ask, likereally?What the fuck is he doing standing outside of my apartment building?

“Figured it was the only way I’d ever find out about you two. Hey, Harlow.” He waves her way, but it’s not friendly.

I step out of the truck and he pushes off his.

“You really think this was necessary?” I ask him, getting pissed off.

“You’re a fucking asshole,” he says. “After everything I did for you.” He shoves me when I come near, and without thinking, I swing at him, connecting my fist with his face. Bryce comes back harder and knocks me to the ground.

We roll on the hard pavement when I hear Dalton yell, “That’s enough. Someone is going to call the police.”

Bryce climbs off of me. “You are the police,” he says to her. “You going to lock us up?” He spits and rubs a finger over his busted lip, breathing heavy. I get up from the ground and brush my jeans off, feeling a few cuts from the concrete.

Bryce shakes his head. “Fucking Christ, man. How long has this been going on?”

“A while,” Dalton says.

Bryce looks over at her. “I was talking to Jace.”

She shrugs. “I don’t care.”

Bryce narrows his eyes at her and then shocks me stupid when he smiles. “I’m sure you don’t,” he says on a laugh. He winces and touches his lip again. “God, I’m getting too old for this shit.” He exhales and looks up at the sky.

I stretch my hand out, making sure it’s not broken from hitting his face.

“I knew this was going on,” he says. “I fucking knew it. All these months you’ve been staying away. Were you ashamed of what you were doing? Is that why you kept it a secret from me?”

I feel Dalton’s eyes on me. “No. I just didn’t want to deal with your judgment. I’m happy. I’m finally fucking happy, and I didn’t want the cloud of your disapproval hanging over my head. I love that girl. I’d do anything for her. I don’t care about the past anymore. What’s done is done. I’m only looking forward.”

Bryce’s face shows conflict. He licks his wounds, and his eyes go down to the ground as he hangs his hands on his hips. “She really makes you happy?” he asks, tilting his head up slightly.

“Yes,” I say. I reach over and pull Dalton closer. She looks up at me as I put my arm around her shoulders.

“I never wanted to hurt any of you,” Dalton says, looking back at Bryce. “I know you hate me, but I really was just doing my job. I hated that case; I didn’t want to be on it. Before, you said we all get a choice, but sometimes that’s not true.

“I didn’t get a choice in this. Jace didn’t get a choice. It was just the way our cards were dealt, and we had no option, but to play them.

“It’s over now. You got off, and I was praying that you would. I never need to know how, but I’m glad. I fell for your brother, and I’ll never hurt him like that again. I lived in a very dark place for a very long time. Jace shows me that there is still good in this world. I love him.”

I look down at her, touched that she would say those things about me. I’ve messed up so many times, and yet she thinks I’m the good in this world? It doesn’t make sense to me, but I’ll take it.

Bryce folds his lips and crosses his arms. “Okay,” he says. “I’ll back off.”

“What about Harrison?” I ask.

He laughs. “That’s a different story. My wife doesn’t think too kindly of you, Harlow. You tricked her, too, and you tried to put me in prison. K’s mostly understanding, but this one will be tough.”

“I get it,” Dalton says. “I wouldn’t expect her to welcome me with open arms, but maybe one day we can be civil.”

“Maybe.” He shrugs. “Sorry about the…” He waves his hand.

“Stalking me and then shoving me on the ground?” I finish for him.

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