Page 25 of Redemption

“Well, I don’t have all the details ironed out since I’ve known about this for two whole minutes, but we can make this work. My dad was going to take me on full-time at the ranch after graduation. It’s a good-paying job; we can find a little place to rent until we can afford to buy.”

“You were only supposed to work full-time through the summer to get some extra cash for school.”

“That’s true, but he needs help. He was going to hire someone else come fall. Now, he doesn’t have to. I’ll be able to take care of us, Pres. All three of us. Besides that, you know damn well our parents are going to want as much time with their little grandbaby as possible, so it’s not like we’ll never have time to ourselves again.”

“What about college?”

He rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. “Well, obviously that’s gonna have to wait. And when we’re ready, we’ll have to take online courses for a while until we figure something out. New York’s not an option anymore, but it doesn’t mean we can’t go to a local school eventually.” He squeezes my hand. “This is going to be a good thing, Pres.”

I look up to find him smiling. “How can you say that, Beck? How are we going to tell our parents?”

“C’mere.” He pulls me into his lap, so I’m on my knees, straddling him. “We’re legal adults. This baby was conceived in love. How can that ever be a bad thing?” He places a soft kiss on my lips. “We were planning to do this one day anyway. This just bumps the timeline up.”

“Beckett, it’s not that simple. This isn’t what we planned. We’re still in high school, and I’m pregnant out of wedlock.”

He smooths some hair out of my face. “We’re graduating in two-and-a-half months, and we can get married whenever you want. We’ll make this work, Pres.”

I don’t know what else to say, so I just fall into him and let him hold me. I’m not nearly as optimistic as Beckett is about this, but if nothing else, I can find a few moments of solace in his arms.

Chapter Sixteen

Presley

“What can I help with?”

My mom shoos me away. “Nothing. I’ve got it all taken care of. Why don’t you go join your dad and brother in the living room? You used to love watching football with them.”

That was before when I used to enjoy a lot of things.

I shrug and drop down into the seat at the kitchen table. “I don’t think either one of them wants to look at me right now.”

She falters for just a moment before wiping her hands on her apron and turning toward me. “Why would you say a silly thing like that?”

“Mom, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but we can’t pretend I don’t look like I went a few rounds with Connor McGregor.” I motion to my face. “And when they look at me, they look like they’re ready to launch into battle to defend my honor, but they’re frustrated because I made them promise to leave it be. They may think they’re sly, but I see the questions in their eyes. They’re wondering why I didn’t leave long before now. How I could stay with a man who abused me for years and years. I should probably just eat my dinner up in my room, so I don’t make anyone uncomfortable.”

I jump when my mom slams her clenched fist on the countertop. “Pardon my language, but that’s the biggest crock of shit I’ve ever heard, Presley Anne! Your daddy and Clayton love you. I love you. You could never make any of us uncomfortable by just being in the same room. If you see any kind of expression on our faces, it’s because when you hurt, we hurt. That’s what love is. There was a time when you knew that.”

I hang my head in disgrace, feeling the weight of her words. There was a time when I knew love inside and out. I knew how to give it and receive it. But it’s been so long since I’ve done either, I don’t think I’d even recognize it anymore. Apparently not, if I can’t read my father or brother like I used to.

“I don’t know, Mama. It just feels strange. Being back here is... confusing.”

“Confusing how?”

“Because physically, everything’s the same. It’s like a time warp or something. And all the players are the same—you, Daddy, Clayton.” There’s a pregnant pause as we both silently acknowledge the one person I intentionally left out. “But when I walk around this house, sit at this table, I feel like a stranger. I feel like my memories don’t belong to the person I am now.”

“Oh, honey, no one can take your memories from you. That’s the beauty of ‘em; they’re inside your head. And as painful as some of them might be, you never want to lose sight of them. They can warm your heart or tear it to pieces, but those experiences are what shape you. I think you just need some practice remembering the good to balance out some of the bad.”

“Wow...” I sniff. “That’s pretty deep, Mama. When did you become a philosopher?”

“It’s called being a mom, honey. You’ll learn one day.” Her face falls when I start crying. “Oh, honey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

I take a second to collect myself. “It’s okay. It doesn’t take much these days.”

“Presley, your life isn’t over. You’re barely thirty. There’s still plenty of time to have kids if that’s something you want.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think kids are in the cards for me.”

“Why not?”

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