Page 94 of Rebel Moon

“That’s part of Soren’s guide line,” Jasper said. “The one that helped Grant bring Knox back in safely. Jack thought you ought to have a piece of it to remind yourself how brave you are.”

“Oh, I see.” A muscle in Grant’s jaw flexed.

Knox leaned forward, his hands splayed over his knees. “That rope and you—that’s why I’m here. You know it’s true.”

Grant shrugged. “I did what anyone would do.”

“I doubt that,” Jack said. “Regardless, you’re a hero, and I wanted to acknowledge that.”

“Thank you, Jack. It’s very kind of you,” Grant said.

“Knox Hartley, you have something from Santa too,” Jasper said, reaching behind one of the chairs for a large bag and setting it in Knox’s lap.

“I’m pretty sure I’m getting coal,” Knox said, opening the bag, then laughed. “It’s one of my crutches.”

“We all wrote something on there,” Ivy said. “To remember our time together.”

“Some of it’s not exactly G-rated,” Jack said.

“I’ll cherish it always,” Knox said, laughing.

Jasper handed out Holly’s next. When she tore the paper off, she just sat there looking at it, clearly not understanding. It was a brick.

“It’s a—Jack, it’s a brick,” she said, looking over at her childhood friend.

“Open the other one,” Jack said.

Jasper handed her the second parcel—a long tube. Holly pulled out a roll of paper and unrolled it in the firelight. “I don’t understand. They’re architectural plans. Building plans.” She stopped. “Oh my God, is this what I think it is?”

“It’s a plan for the new Boys and Girls Club in Stonehaven,” Jack said. “I know you’ve been trying to raise money to rebuild after the old one was torn down. We all practically grew up there, you know. The place probably saved us.” Jack looked at her, smiling. “I couldn’t let it disappear. Not when there’s kids who need it, like we did. Ivy and I held a low key fundraiser with folks from the industry with deep pockets. It’s funded. All of it. A new Boys and Girls Club is getting built.”

Holly put her hand over her mouth, shaking her head like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“The brick’s from the original building.” Jack paused for a second, glancing at Rhett. “I had only one request. I asked them to name it after Rhett.”

The circle went dead silent. Holly’s gaze flew to Rhett.

Rhett looked like a startled animal. “Me? Why me?”

“Because you’re the proof,” Jack said simply. “A kid from that place can turn into something. From sheer will and determination and a few helping hands along the way. But dude, when I look around this circle, it’s all you. You did this. Mailing my tape in. Giving up a career doing something more important than putting this motley crew together. No child should be tossed aside just because they’re poor. We need places like the Boys and Girls Club to make sure kids like you don’t fall through the cracks. Kids like us.”

“No, man, that’s not how it was.” Rhett’s eyes leaked tears. “It’s all you. I just caught hold of your coattails, you know. Been lucky enough to be part of something that actually matters. I could be sitting in some cubicle right now instead of here with people who make the world more beautiful with their music.”

“I wouldn’t be here without you,” Jack said. “It’s that simple.”

Holly held a brick in one hand and the plans in the other. “He’s right, Rhett. You’re the one who put all the pieces together to make something whole. Your keen mind—finding the right people—putting them together—that’s your genius.” Holly smiled down at the brick. “I don’t care what we call it—I’m just glad we’ll have a place for the kids to go.” She looked up at Jack. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Who’s next?” Jack asked, clearly embarrassed.

“Luci Wilder,” Jasper said.

Luci startled at her name, like she’d been somewhere far away. Her parcel was small, just an envelope. She opened it, read it, then started vehemently shaking her head. “Jack, no.”

“It’s done,” Jack said. “There’s nothing to argue about.”

“Jack, this is too much,” Luci said.

“You should have asked me for it to begin with,” Jack said.