AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You didn’t make her wait, she wanted to.You were in training to become a Ranger, Damon, that was important.”Mom was all but pleading with me to hear her, understand, but I just wouldn’t ever see it that way.The day I left the first time, I should’ve ended it, but I didn’t.Kelsey stuck it out all that time.It just wasn’t right.And I regretted that decision.
I shook my head.“What Colt did, letting Christina go, was the best thing any of us ever did.None of us thought like he did, we were all selfish.”
Mom shook her head, but just kept washing more dishes.“Damon, you weren’t selfish.You were in love, there’s a difference.Besides, Colt had the advantage of seeing all of you go through hell, so it gave him clarity.But he also was so unhappy, he never could’ve made Christina happy long-term, not back then, and I think on some level he knew that, too.”
“Yeah, well, just look at Deacon.He was in love, wouldn’t let Jenna go, and they’re not even together now.”She exhaled and I could see it hurt her to think that her children were hurting in any regard.“Sorry, Mom, I shouldn’t be going down memory lane like this.”
She rinsed her hands, wiped them on another towel close by, and took mine in hers.“You can talk to me about anything you’d like.I don’t always have all the answers, though.”Then she laughed and added, “Maybe don’t tell your father, though, I like it when he thinks I’m all knowing.”
I laughed.“You got it, Mom.It’ll be our little secret.”
By the time we made our way back to the living room, all eyes were on the sparkling rock on Scar’s finger.“Just look at it, isn’t it beautiful?”she swooned.
“That was Grandma Jo’s ring,” I said, in case Colt hadn’t told her the story.
But by the look on her face, he had.“I know, he told me all about her and how much this ring meant to her.It means just as much to me now.”Then she leaned over and brushed a quick kiss on Colt’s lips.I looked away during the intimate moment and sat on the corner of the couch across from them.
“You don’t wear your ring, Mom,” I observed.“Why not?”I asked and suddenly there was a chill in the air.
Everyone grew quiet.“What?Did I say something wrong?”I looked around and watched as Mom and Deacon gave each other knowing looks, Dad just looking off in the distance.
“What’s going on?”Scar finally asked.
“Thank you,” I said, breezing my hand in the direction of the only apparent person in the room that was just as curious as I was.“What is wrong with me asking about Mom’s ring?”
Deacon did a low whistle and crossed one of his legs over the other on the couch.Dad took a bite of his cookie and Colt looked over at Scar.Mom finally answered, “It’s something I always wanted my first born to have for his wife.”
“So it goes to Deke, big deal?”
She shrugged her shoulders.“It’s not a big deal,” she said, seemingly trying to convince everyone, including herself.
“Well, that look you shared with Deke might’ve suggested otherwise.But I think it’s nice you promised it to him.His girlfriend will like getting it one day.”Fuck, the way they made it seem I really thought there was some age-old secret or something.This family could be so damn weird.
It didn’t seem like Colt cared one way or another and he got Grandma’s anyway.And I wasn’t getting married anytime soon, hell I wasn’t even dating anyone, so I certainly didn’t care.The truth was, when I joined the Army I didn’t think I was going to have a happily ever after.I saw how hard it was when Wyatt and Deacon went in and didn’t see how it would ever be any different for me.
And Deacon had to do a lot of work when he came out.He had PTSD, which was as hard on him as it was on everyone who loved him.Mom blamed Dad, it was the only logical answer she saw, knowing Dad all but pushed us into the military, to follow in his footsteps.Their relationship was solid, but for a minute there it was on shaky ground.She couldn’t get passed the idea that if it hadn’t been for him and his stupid wishes, her son wouldn’t be dealing with any of the shit he had to deal with.I understood all of that, and didn’t make things any easier on her when the shit hit the fan in Afghanistan and my ass landed in a coma for a period.
I never told anyone about my accident.Rangers were strong, Rangers were smart, Rangers weren’t meant to get injured.So, unless bound by blood, they didn’t know—except Scar.None of my relationships lasted long enough, frankly.But besides that I probably wouldn’t have told them anyway.I didn’t care enough to get into it and didn’t think they could handle it.The girl of my dreams, the one I’d spend forever with, would be strong enough to handle it and look past it.I didn’t want them to look at me like some weak, broken man.I didn’t want them to feel bad for me, either, that would be the worst.I made my bed a long time ago and now I was lying in it.And I was okay with where I was.
There was nothing I loved more than working with my hands in the garage with Marcus.He gave me a job when no one else would.And I was grateful to him, but, more than that, I loved every single second of it.It was my passion long before being a Ranger and would be long after.
“What’s going on, man, you seem deep in thought?”Deacon’s question brought me out of my reverie.
I grinned.“Just thinking.”
“Well, everyone went in for dinner.You coming?”
“Yeah,” I said.“Right behind you.”
I walked into the dining room to find a full feast on the table.“All of this just ‘cause Colt’s getting married?Seems like a lot of fuss to me.”
Scar laughed and joked, “This is all because of me.”
I held my arms up.“No better reason I guess.”
As I went to sit down, Mom stopped me.“Manners, please.Go inside and wash your hands before you sit at the table.”Then she glanced over at Deacon.“You, too.”
Deacon stood in line behind me as I washed and I decided to take my sweet ass time.“How long does it take?”he asked.
