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“Oh, of course,” she laughs, throwing herself across the table to pull me into another tight hug which results in a guard barking sharp orders for her to sit her ass back down. “You really have turned into an incredible man. I’m so proud of the person you’ve become, Samuel. I always knew you’d be able to overcome all the hurdles in your life.”
“Yeah,” I say. “I still have one big hurdle to go and then I’ll have it all.”
“You’ll get her back,” mom says, knowing exactly what I’m referring to. “I’ve met her a handful of times over the past few years and that girl is deeply in love with you. No matter what’s going on in her life, she’ll come home to you.”
“I hope so.”
“Have faith.”
I nod. “There’s a lot I need to make up for.”
“I don’t doubt that. There’s a fire within that girl and she’s going to make you work for it.”
“Trust me it’s going to be the hardest thing I ever do,” I laugh before indicating down to the papers. “I’ve already had the papers drawn up by my lawyer so all you need to do is sign them and the house is yours.”
“What about the fees? Surely there must be a few.”
“They’re all taken care of. All you need to do is sign.”
She nods and I slide a pen across the table before watching as she reclaims her home with tears of joy in her eyes. I don’t doubt that today, as well as the day that Henley came back into her life, is one of the best days she’s had in a while. I can’t imagine much good happens for inmates, but knowing that she’s going to be set up for a bright future after she gets out is important. I’ll have to organize a job for her and make sure she has everything she needs before I move out.
Though, that brings the question of where the hell I’m going to go, but I’m sure my new wedded best friend and sister wouldn’t mind giving up their couch for a little while.
Mom finishes with the papers before sliding them back across the table. “While you’re mending bridges, are you going to visit your father? He’s only down the road from here.”
I shake my head. “No. I don’t think I could walk in there and see his face without getting myself locked up too. I’ve got too much to live for. Besides, I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of ever seeing me again. He tore me down and turned me into a monster that was clouded with darkness. I did terrible things under his thumb that’s going to haunt me for as long as I live and I’m ready to put it behind me. It’s taken me four years and finding Tully to be able to move on and I’m not prepared to take any steps back. I’m only looking forward from here.”
Pride shines through her eyes. “That’s a great answer, Samuel. But just remember, one day you’re going to be ready to face him and when that day comes, you’ll have my full support.”
“And if that day never comes?”
“Then nothing. Either way, he dies knowing he lost the most important people in his life and there’s not a damn thing he can do to get them back.”
“Well, that sounds fucking perfect to me.”
“I might be incarcerated, but I’ll still curse you out for your language.”
I can’t help but grin at the fire that burns brightly within her. “I’m going to enjoy having you home again.”
A sparkle lights up her eyes. “Yeah, well something tells me dealing with you on the regular is going to be one of the most frustrating things I’ll ever suffered through.”
“Prepare yourself, mom. This is going to be fun.”
Chapter 9
Tully
I lean over my kitchen counter staring at the little silver ring that could have changed it all. I was right to never have married Spencer, but it doesn’t make it suck any less. If things were different, I could have had it all. I could have had the white picket fence surrounding a beautiful home that housed two little mini-me’s. I would have liked a little boy first and then a girl so she would always have her big brother to look out for her and protect her from the ugliness of the world.
Instead, I’m standing in my empty apartment wondering where it all went wrong. This ring held the promise of a future and my heart just wasn’t there. I shouldn’t be holding this. Especially now that I’ve seen this ring in Rivers’ hands and could see just how wrong it was.
I need to return it. In fact, I’ve been thinking about returning it for the past week, but I simply haven’t been able to find the strength to go over to Spencer’s place and give it back.
