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“What?” My eyes widened, and I shrugged.
“I loved who you were before Amber.” She laughed. “But, with Amber, you are the best version of you because you’re happy and you’ve grown as a man.”
“Using my words against me.” I pushed the back door open.
She entered before me, and we headed for the den. Stopping dead in my tracks, I glanced at the coffee table to see Jenga. My gaze quickly found Amber, and she grinned.
“I thought we could start with this one if that’s okay?” She stood, prancing towards me, hooking her arm in mine. “Drunk Jenga for some of us?”
Smirking, I followed her to the couch, sitting on the end cushion.
“Are you ever going to tell us the truth about why you love that dumb game so much?” Luke scoffed, leaning back next to Jade on the floor.
Not wanting to be more vulnerable than I already was with a bullet lodged in my body, I groaned.
Amber nudged me gently. “I kind of always wondered that as well.”
“Fine. My mom used to volunteer at an orphanage when I was a teenager. I’d go with her when I wasn’t acting, just to help.” I shrugged a shoulder, trying not to make a big deal of my volunteer work. “There was this eleven-year-old kid who was abandoned by a single mother, though it isn’t my place to share those details.” I respired, recalling his story. “He sat in the corner, playing Jenga by himself. I didn’t think much of it the first or second time I saw him, but the third time, I went up to him and asked why he always played that game.”
Amber, Jade, and Jenna’s eyes were watering already. Ian and Luke listened intently, sipping their whiskey.
“He told me it was the only game he could play alone and still have fun. I asked him why he wasn’t playing with the other kids. He told me they didn’t play with him. So, I sat down, and we played Jenga all afternoon until it was time for me to leave.” I arched my brows. “After that, I was hooked. We played three times a week and started getting aggressively competitive. It was like having another little brother. Honestly, it was fucking awesome.”
“So, what happened to the little boy?” Jade’s eyes widened. “Did he get a home?”
I grinned. “Yeah, he did. I didn’t see him again after that. Until one day when I was watching TV. You guys know him as Ashton Jackson, but that isn’t his birth name.”
“The freaking actor?!” Amber almost choked on her wine.
Nodding once, I snickered. “Yeah, he’s twenty now. He reached out to me a couple of years ago and told me about the impact I had on his life. He wanted to follow in my footsteps. So, his new parents put him in acting classes and now he’s doing great. He ended up having a great life.”
Amber leaned back, a wide smile on her face. “You never told me about this! Your heart never ceases to amaze me.”
“I didn’t think it was a big deal.” I turned my attention to the table. “Now, can we please just have a normal-ish night?”
All eyes were darting to me as we set up the game. I realized I’d just shown a softer side of myself. Jenna was the only person who knew about the encounter and never spoke of it to anyone.But she’d teared up as if it were the first time hearing it again.
I never bragged about my volunteer work or charitable donations. I tried to keep that part of my life private. I never went out of my way to hang out with Ashton. I was glad I got to make his childhood happier after everything he’d been through. And I was honored I impacted him enough for him to go after something like acting. It was a brutal career choice, but he was strong, and he was doing great.
21
REDEMPTION
AMBER
“This is my girlfriend, Amber Wilson.” Chance introduced me to a shorter man, wearing a black suit and sunglasses.
The gentleman took my bags, placing them on a cart. Dragon remained close to our side, watching all directions while two other hired bodyguards boxed us in.
“Amber, this is my driver, Tom.”
I already knew, as he had informed me on the flight, but it was nice to have a formal introduction. Tom seemed like a nice man.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Wilson.”
I extended my hand to shake his, but he instead bowed. Awkwardly, I bowed in return unsure of what was going on and withdrew my hand. “Um, just Amber is fine.”
Chance slid his cane between the luggage, securing it with the weight of the bags. Taking my hand in his, he laced our fingers. He leaned over, pressing his lips to mine, disregarding anyone watching; and they were. The crowd at baggage claim watched every move he made.
