Page 8 of Waiting for Redemption

“Don’t you think you owe Tank an apology?” Hendrix’s face turns to stone as he looks up at Tank.

“No.” My eyes grow to twice their normal size and my face immediately heats with embarrassment.

“Hendrix Ranes,” I scold, and his shoulders slump.

“Sorry,” he mumbles, without an ounce of conviction in his tone. Tank simply smirks as Hendrix stomps back over to the dirt, while I stand with my mouth ajar a little mortified by everything that just happened. Hendrix is not an aggressive kid atall, so for him to come running over to kick a total stranger had me caught off guard enough—but refusing to apologize for his behavior has left me absolutely speechless.

“Good little man you got there.” He smirks, raising a brow at me.

And the surprises just keep on coming.

“I am so sorry about that,” I apologize, but Tank waves me off.

“Don’t be. Little boysshouldlook out for their moms. Especially when they’ve got a good one.” His subtle compliment makes a warm feeling grow in my chest as he looks over at Hendrix and smiles. There’s a sadness behind his striking green eyes I’ve never noticed before that has my gaze lingering on him.

I take a moment to study him while he’s still looking away, trying to get a better read of him and what he might be feeling, but his nearly impenetrable exterior doesn’t budge.

“You sure you’re okay though?” he asks, checking on me again. I nod my head in reassurance.

“Alright, well. I’ll see ya around,” he says, nodding back before stepping around me to continue his run.

“Hey, Tank?” I stop him before he even has the chance to take off.

“Yeah?” He turns back around with a waiting expression, and it takes everything in me not to try and absorb every single one of his distinct, manly features.

From the way his T-shirt fits snugly around his chest and biceps, to the tattoos that go all the way down his right arm and up his neck that I’m dying to observe more closely, and the perfectly scruffy facial hair accentuating his strong jaw. I shake my head, blinking away the brain fog as I continue.

“I was just wondering… Uh, are we good?” I ask almost timidly. I’m typically more sure of myself and assertive in conversation, but something about Tank’s aura makes me feel as though I need tohandle with care, if you will.

“How do you mean?” He quirks his brow and I bite on the inside of my cheek, trying to think of what to say next to keep myself from sounding childish.

“Things have just felt kind of weird since your first day at the bar. You hardly speak to me, and some days you simplydon’t. I just—did I do something to piss you off that I’m unaware of?” I study his face as his lips turn down into a frown.

“No, not at all. Honestly, I’ve just never been great at making friends. I’ve been told I’m socially awkward—by my own brother mostly—but I can assure you,youhaven’t done anything,” he says with a sort of embarrassed laugh.

“So… we’re good?” I confirm.

“We’re good.” The wave of relief I feel at his words makes me realize just how much this has been bothering me.

“And you’ll start talking to me at work?” I press further, giving him a playful grin. He takes a deep breath, taking in his surroundings before his gaze lands on me again.

“I’ll do my very best.” One corner of his mouth turns up in a smirk.

“Okay then.” I smile, standing with my arms crossed, unsure where to go from here. Though he seems to share no such predicament.

“See you tomorrow, boss.” He casually salutes before turning and jogging off. Well, that’s progress I guess.

CHAPTER5

TANK

I hada feeling going for a run was a bad idea. As it turns out, I was right, and for more reasons than one. I started feeling a twinge of pain in my back halfway through, but I was determined it would go away after getting warmed up.

Oh, how wrong I was.

Another pain hit and when it did it sent my mind right back to the day I broke it.

“Fuck! Landry, talk to me. You good?” Asher calls from above me, but all I can get out is a loud groan when I realize I can’t move without severe pain shooting throughout my entire body.

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