Page 160 of That Last Secret

Late nights on the town.

Refusing to let ourselves get tied down by women.

Thomas sits at the head of the long table. Peyton sits on one side of him with her belly so round she can’t fully sit in the seat. She’s due any day now.

Thomas has always looked at her differently. From that first night he met her, everything changed in him, and I’ve loved watching him grow to be the man, dad, and husband he is today.

I continue around the table when I land on Marc staring at Avery like she hung the moon. At the same time, she goes on and on about closet organization tips. I’ll never understand it, but watching how much she loves talking about it is funny.

Sitting next to her, engrossed in the conversation, is little Mackenzie. For a nine-year-old, she sure is fascinated with howAvery organizes her clothing by the sleeve length and color. At least, I think that’s what she’s saying.

I keep scanning the table when my eyes land on Macey and Oliver—my partner-in-crime, the man I thought would be single with me for the rest of our lives and sitting next to me in a retirement home. But Macey is the most unexpected thing to happen to him. I’ll never forget when he brought her back to the city to live with him. What a turn of events that was.

Then I stare to my side and watch Emiline listening to Avery.

She’s laughing and smiling from ear to ear.

After going through what I’ve experienced, I can never take that smile, or her, for granted.

Picking up the butter knife next to my plate, I clink it against my glass, drawing the attention of the table in my direction.

Emiline snaps her head toward me, not expecting this.

“I’d like to say a few things,” I announce, rising from my chair. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Brooke, Silas, and the chief enter the room simultaneously, staying off to the side and giving me a silent nod to continue.

Great. Now I’m really going to get emotional.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming out tonight for this celebration Emiline has put together. The last few months have been some of the longest and most challenging I’ve ever faced. I wouldn’t have made it through if it weren’t for all of you in this room tonight.”

I swallow past the emotions. It’s too soon.

“As everyone in this room knows, I’ve worked my entire life to be the best I can be at my job. I’ve loved being a police officer.”

Emiline gasps to the side of me, and I look at the chief. He smiles and gives me a silent nod to keep going.

“I’ve been given a second chance at life. I looked over all the reports of my accident, and I shouldn’t be here tonight, standingin front of you and making this speech. But you can’t get rid of me that easily.” I chuckle.

The group laughs lightly, and I keep the grin on my face as I continue.

“That’s why I’ve decided I’m going to officially retire as a police officer.”

Thomas, Marc, and Emiline all stand up from their seats. They have shock written all over their faces and are unsure what to make of this.

“Are you sure?” Thomas asks first.

“But you’ve wanted this your entire life, Logan,” Marc adds.

“Since when?” Emiline chimes in.

Avery tugs on Marc’s arm. “Would you sit down and let him finish before rudely interrupting?”

“I’ve been thinking over this decision since the moment I opened my eyes in that hospital room. I was looking for you.” I turn to face Emiline. “The first person I wanted to see was you. But instead, I came face to face with Thomas.” I turn to look at him with a lopsided grin. “You told me something within that first half hour of being awake while waiting for her that stuck with me.”

Thomas tilts his head to the side in confusion.

“You said, and I quote, ‘If you ever hurt my sister, I’m going to murder you with my bare hands and make it look like an accident.’”

Thomas barks out a laugh, and everyone around us does the same.

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