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“I was wrong,” he said out loud as Tick’s face appeared above him. “I did something wrong.”
“Come on,” Tick said, reaching out and hauling Luke to his feet. He raised his right hand in victory, but Luke felt like crying. The tears wouldn’t be sad, and they didn’t come from the pain in his lower jaw. They wouldn’t be happy, either, but relieved.
He was simplyrelieved.
“I’m done,” he yelled to Tick, who looked like he’d murder him if Luke walked out now. “Give the victory to that guy. I’m done.” He lifted his glove to his mouth and ripped off a piece of tape.
He didn’t care what Tick thought or did. He hadn’t come here for him. He’d come to find something for himself, and he’d found it.
* * *
“And then I walked out,”Luke said, his voice rushing over itself. “It was incredible, Nate, and I’ve never felt like that before.”
“I’m glad,” Nate said, his voice low and slow but oh, so powerful. When he praised Luke, Luke felt like he’d finally done something right. “You faced it, and you figured it out.”
“I was wrong,” Luke said, calming now that the whole story was out. “I did do something wrong, and the punishment I got for it was warranted.”
Nate didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “I didn’t mean to get on your case, Luke.”
“No,” Luke said. “I needed it. You were right.” He looked out the windshield of his truck. He hadn’t even left the parking lot at the gym yet. “How’s…I mean… Is Hannah…? Never mind.”
“You’ll be ready for anything now,” Nate said, a distinct wail starting on his end of the line. “I better go. I’m on duty with Ward, and he is not happy with me.”
Luke laughed as the call ended. He was still getting used to Nate using the name Ward and not referencing his brother. His older brother had come to visit so often at River Bay that even Luke had started to worship him.
A few hours later, Luke found himself bent over the toilet again. This time because Benjamin and Tammy Houser would be here at any moment to take him to dinner. As Luke stood up, the doorbell rang. He quickly washed his hands and swished out his mouth before calling, “Just a second!”
He couldn’t believe he was going to dinner with them.
He opened the door and looked into Ben’s eyes first. “Hello,” he said, working hard not to clear his throat.
“Good to see you, Luke,” Tammy said. She actually stepped into him and gave him an awkward hug. “You look nice.”
He looked down to make sure he was actually wearing pants, and he had on jeans. Thankfully. “Thank you,” he said. “You do too.”
“Have you ever been to Legacy?” she asked as she turned to go down the steps. Her husband followed her, and Luke brought up the rear.
“Uh, not for a long time,” he said. “I haven’t been in Beeville much in the past five years.”
“What are you doing these days?” Ben asked, his voice still plenty sharp.
“I’m working for my uncle right now,” Luke said. “But I came from a ranch down in Sweet Water Falls. I need to get back down there.”
“Doing what?”
“Construction mostly,” he said. “Some horse care. That type of thing. I like working outside, and I’m good with my…hands.” He cleared his throat then, realizing what he’d said.
He paused before getting in the SUV. “Listen, I’m really sorry,” he said. “I know that’s not going to bring Robert back, and I want you to know I accept the verdict and all the responsibility for hurting Robert.” The clarity from that day in the gym had really helped him. It hadcleansedhim from the tarnished thoughts of the past five years.
Ben stared at him, as did Tammy. “We know that, Luke,” she finally said. “We’re not here tonight to torture you, and you should stop torturing yourself.”
“Why are we going to dinner?” he asked.
“Because,” she said simply. “You’re the same age as Robert, and no one talks to us about him. You did, a few days ago at the cemetery, and our therapist thought continuing to talk to you would be good for both of us.” She offered him a small smile that seemed almost apologetic.
Luke didn’t know what to say to that. “Okay,” seemed appropriate, and he got in the back seat of the SUV as Ben walked around to the driver’s seat.
“So,” he said with a sigh. “Is Legacy all right? We like it there, but there are other good places in Beeville.”
