Page 84 of Waiting for Redemption

CHAPTER29

RUBY

I’m married.

I’m married and I’m in love with my husband.

A husband whom I married five days after seeing him for the first time in six months.

And he’s in love with me too.

It’s fine. We’re fine.

“You alright, Honey? You’ve got thatdrowned your catlook again.” Tank squeezes my hand as we ride to Shane and Max’s house to pick up Hendrix and Maverick.

“Technically, you have… A few times now.” I glance over, waiting for the punchline to hit him.

“Wow.Okay. You went there.” He looks at me in disbelief as we both start laughing.

“God, I love your laugh.” Every word that rumbles out of his mouth seems to make me blush these days. “So, I don’t want to start making assumptions but we never had themove-indiscussion prior to all of this happening, but youareplanning on letting me live with you, right?” I can’t help but laugh at the hint of seriousness I can hear behind his playful tone.

“Oh, well… I mean, I guess it would look kind of suspicious if weweren’tliving together.” I pretend to contemplate the decision as I see his features begin to harden. “I guess we could make something work. The couch may not be quite big enough for you, but you could take my room and I could just sleep with Hendrix for a while.” He looks over at me like I’ve completely lost my mind, seemingly unaware that he’s still driving a vehicle as his eyes stay locked on me.

“Are you serious?” His blank expression and deep voice have me wanting to buckle over in laughter.

“No!Of course not.” He lets out a sigh of relief, shaking his head at me as he faces the road again. “Do you really think after last night I’m gonna sleep anywhere but next to you?” I feel my cheeks begin to heat, as a smirk crosses his face. He brings the back of my hand up to his lips and kisses it.

“Good girl.” He winks at me and then begins stroking my hand with his thumb. “We can pick up Hendrix and Mav first then head to my place to grab some of my things, if that works for you?”

“I’m just along for the ride. You lead, I’ll follow.” My words seem to shock not only Tank but myself as well. Never in my life have I put so much trust into one person. I’ve relied on myself for as long as I can remember, but there’s something abouthim. I’d follow him blindly into battle because I undoubtedly know he would keep me and Hendrix safe.

When I look over at his dashboard, I see a coin of some sort tucked in front of his speedometer.

“What’s that?” I point it out, causing him to pluck it from its home before handing it to me so I can look at it closer.

“I got that one yesterday.” He nods, as I run my fingers over the words,

6 months sober. One day at a time

“I’m so unbelievably proud of you, do you know that?” He looks over at me with appreciation in his eyes, kissing my hand again with a nod.

“Thanks, Honey, that means a lot coming from you.”

I hope he’s proud of himself too.

We pull up to Shane and Max’s house and before I have my seat belt unbuckled Tank is coming around to open my door for me. He offers me his hand to help me out and doesn’t let go as we walk up to the door. My heart is racing as we get closer, wondering what everyone is going to think about this—aboutus.Then I remember what my husband said and I try my hand at“not giving a fuck what everyone else thinks”too. Max opens the door and gives Tank a nod as he greets him, then looks down at our intertwined fingers before looking up at me with a smirk.

“Told ya.” I give him a confused look before our conversation at the courthouse comes sprinting back to mind.

“It’s very real. The sooner you realize that, the better.”

“Hello to you too.” I roll my eyes at him as he opens the door wider for us to come in.

“Mommy!” Hendrix yells, running up to hug my waist as Riley and Maverick follow at his sides.

“Hey, buddy!I missed you so much.” I squeeze him tight, looking down as his head falls back to look up at me. I’ll never get over how quickly he’s growing up. I take a minute to justlookat him. His brown eyes and single dimple always act as a mirror to my own features, while his dark brown hair that hangs right above his eyes is in major disarray from sleeping.

“Tank!” he says with equal excitement as he throws himself into Tank’s arms.

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