Page 88 of The Promises We Broke
"Of course we did," Trace said. "You're our brother."
"You're family," Booker added. "This is what family does."
I pulled each of them into fierce hugs, not caring that I was still crying or that this was probably the most emotional I'd been in front of all of them at once. Cade hugged my legs, chattering excitedly about how cool the bike looked and asking when I could take him for a ride.
"Next spring," I promised him. "When the weather's better and your mom says it's okay."
"And you'll teach me to ride when I'm older?"
"If your parents say it's okay, absolutely."
As the group started to break up, everyone heading back to their cars with promises to get together soon, I caught Dex lingering by the bike. He was running his hands over the enginewith the kind of pride that came from rebuilding something with your own two hands.
"Dex," I said, walking over to him. "I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't need to thank me." He straightened up, but something in his expression wasn't quite right. His smile looked forced, like he was working harder than usual to appear happy.
"This must have taken hundreds of hours."
"Worth every minute," he said, but there was something hollow in his voice.
I studied his face, seeing the exhaustion that went deeper than just physical tiredness. "Are you okay, man? You've seemed... off lately."
"I'm fine," he said quickly. "Just tired from all the late nights working on this project."
"Dex..."
"I should get going," he said, already moving toward his truck. "Early morning tomorrow."
I watched him drive away, that uneasy feeling settling in my stomach again. Something was going on with Dex, something he wasn't telling any of us. And despite the joy of getting Grandpa's bike back, despite the overwhelming proof of my family's love, I couldn't shake the feeling that one of the people I cared about most was struggling with something he was too proud or too scared to share.
As I rolled the motorcycle into the small garage behind the cottage, I made a mental note to keep a closer eye on Dex. He'd done so much for all of us over the years, had been there through every crisis and celebration. If he was going through something difficult, it was our turn to be there for him.
But for now, I had a motorcycle to admire and a woman inside who'd kept this secret for who knows how long. I had questions for Billie about how long she'd known, and I had a feeling heranswers were going to involve a lot of that innocent expression that never fooled me for a second.
Some problems would have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight, I just wanted to appreciate everything I'd been given. A family who loved me enough to spend months rebuilding something precious to me, a woman who'd become my partner in every way that mattered, and a piece of my grandfather that I'd thought was lost forever.
Tonight, I just wanted to be grateful.
Chapter 31
Billie
"You need to get out of there now," Gage's voice was tense over the phone, barely audible over the sound of wind already howling through the trees outside the rehabilitation center. "This isn't just a storm, Bills. The weather service just issued a severe weather warning. Possible tornadoes."
I looked out the window at the chaos already unfolding. Trees bending at impossible angles, debris flying through the air, rain driving sideways so hard I could barely see the parking lot. "I know, but I can't just leave all this equipment unsecured. If the windows blow out..."
"Forget the equipment!" His voice was sharp with worry. "The horses are going crazy, and Booker needs help getting them into the barns before this gets worse. But I'm not doing anything until I know you're safe and on your way home."
"I'm almost done," I said, trying to sound calmer than I felt as I rushed around moving portable therapy units away fromthe large windows. The building was already groaning under the force of the wind, and I could hear things hitting the roof. Branches, probably, or worse. "Just give me ten more minutes to..."
A massive gust of wind rattled the entire building, and something crashed outside that sounded like a tree going down.
"Billie, get out now!" Gage's voice was nearly drowned out by the static on the line. "This thing is moving fast and it's getting worse. Leave everything and come home."
"Okay, okay, I'm going." I abandoned the equipment I'd been securing and grabbed my keys and purse. "I'm leaving right now."
"Drive carefully. The ranch road is still going to be bad but at least you don't have far to go. If it's too much, go to Booker's place instead." His voice was breaking up, the connection crackling with interference. "I love you."
