Page 86 of Promise

“Dart.” He grits. “I’m fucking warning you.”

“You have an entire family who loves you.” I wave toward the house behind me. “When is enough enough?”

“You tell me,” he spits. “You had a wife and a home, everything you ever wanted as well.”

Tate knows my deepest desires, and he is right. I had what I’d always wanted, and I stepped away from it. I almost lost it, and now I’m scrambling to get it all back.

I lower my head, shaking it slightly. “I can’t explain it all to you, Tate. Call it a midlife crisis. Call it a stumbling block. Call it a fucking mistake. I’m human, alright?”

Max Larsen saw it that way. A forty-something man feeling empty inside. He recruited me to race, to make a change in my life. But he also understood the value of a good woman. He wanted me to bring Trinity along for the ride. I wanted her there. But I’d still been lost.

I tucked into racing, and sped around a track, chasing . . . something.

Something I hadn’t found until I came back to Trinity and Mirabelle.

Completion.

“I’m sorry I disappointed you.” I blow out a breath and slip my hands into my pockets.

Tate snorts.

“And I’m sorry that I hurt you.” I swallow thickly. “It hurt me that one of my best friends wouldn’t listen to me. Wouldn’t hear me out.”

Tate stares back at me. His eyes so similar to his sister’s, but more wild, almost cagey. He isn’t any more perfect than I am. And one day, I hope he finds atonement for the things he’s done.

“You left me, too, Tate.” Sure, I still had Marshall and Hutch, and Petty on the fly, but Tate and I were the closest. He was the brother I never had. Family always forgives, Petty says. I want Tate to forgive me, but I can’t make him do it.

When he doesn’t say anything more, I turn away from him, take two steps, then stop to glance over my shoulder. “You should come back inside. Your mom made breakfast. Your sister is here with her new baby. Your family wants to spend time with you.”

Family. That’s what Tate was to me. A brother who disappointed me, like I disappointed his sister.

The difference between Tate and me is that I’m owning up to my mistakes. Trying to atone for them. He can accept me or not, but I won’t let him walk out on the good things he has inside that house.

His mom. His brothers. His sister. Their growing families.

Tate is blessed in more ways than he recognizes, and it is too bad he doesn’t see it.

I’ve waved a green flag, signaling I’m ready to begin again. Be friends. Put the wreckage behind us.

Only Tate can decide to speed up or be left behind.

25

[Trinity]

To everyone’s surprise, Tate comes back into the house shortly after Dart, who’d entered saying, “Anyone else want to air their grievances?”

Cort gives a crooked smile. Clint lowers his head. He had things to say to Dart as well, but he read the room. Perhaps, one Haven brother altercation at a time.

I look at Mom, who smiles softly and shakes her head. She knows how much of a hothead Tate can be.

I glance at Vale next, who smiles as well. She knows all too well how complicated brothers are.

When Dart finally comes to my side, he runs his hand up my back and squeezes the nape of my neck. A shiver runs down my spine.

The day is going to be a constant battle.

Memories of last night on the stairs. Memories of his care in the shower. Memories of waking up next to him this morning.