Page 105 of Riding the Pine

I snort. “You deserve a fucking medal.”

When his head snaps up the lamp reflects off his shiner. “He got one in on you first, huh?”

He grins and shakes his head. “No. That one’s your brother.”

When my face twists in confusion, he chuckles. “In case the po-po come calling, there’s proof that we were fighting each other and that I wasn’t at all beating your rapist senseless at the football house.”

I groan, covering my face with my good hand. “Do you know how fucking stupid that is?”

He nods. “Yeah, but it felt nice to get hit in the face. And your brothers probably needed to blow off some steam, too. Keep them off the streets, you know?”

I don’t fight the eye roll this time. “You said he’s alive?”

He nods.

“Needs hospital treatment?”

His shoulders sag as he nods again.

“You know what to do if the cops come calling?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s right. Say nothing, ask for your lawyer, and we’ll find one for you.”

He jabs a thumb toward the wall. “They’ve got me covered.”

“I bet they do.” I can’t stop myself from touching his face. “I may not have wanted you to get in trouble for hurting him, but I’m not upset that you did.”

He closes his eyes, sending waves of fresh tears down his face. “I was afraid you’d be done with me, Bright Eyes. You probably should be.”

I pull him toward me, dropping a peck on his tear-soaked cheek. “No. Not done with you at all. It’s very sweet that you’re so concerned with my wishes like that, and I’m going to need a shit ton of your patience over the coming months, but I’m not done.”

He levels me with the most sincere and genuine stare I’ve ever seen from him. “I’m always concerned with your wishes, Athena. When I hit him, I figured I’d make you angry, or lose you entirely because of it, and I still couldn’t stop railing on him. He deserved every hit.” He shivers again like he’s disgusted with himself. “But ultimately, I only ever want to make you happy, and this wasn’t it.”

I smile, even though my face still hurts when I do. “I guess we’re cut from the same cloth then, Gizmo. Because I’m supremely happy that piece of shit got his ass handed to him. And now we just need to make sure you don’t go to jail for it.”

The fear in his eyes expands, almost drinking all the color from his irises. “It’s where I belong, Athena. It’s just a matter of time before I end up there, just like my cousins.”

I flex my hand. “Scott Raine, it’s taking all I have not to smack you myself.”

He tips his head like he’s trying to decide if he’d like that or not, so I shove his shoulder instead.

“No one telling you you’re better than that, or worth more will doanythingto help you feel more worthy. Self-worth is a journey from within. It’s not quick or easy, but if you don’t start it, you’ll never fucking get there. So, can you get started on it please? I can’t have our kids absorbing all this self-loathing from their father.”

He blinks at me like whatever computer chip runs his brain is malfunctioning. And when his open mouth gives no words, he blinks again, and again. Eventually, he licks his lips. “Did you just say our kids?”

I nod. “Someday, sure. But only when you’ve gotten over this ‘wah wah wah I’m not good enough to live’ shit. Because our kids will know they’re worthy of every good thing, especially love.”

He looks at my lips like he’s aching to kiss me, and I’m surprised to find that I am, too, so I lean forward. He captures my lips in the tenderest of embraces, a gentle caress to tell me he loves me before he pulls back.

“I want to be the man you think I can be, Athena.”

I pick up his hand and kiss the back of each bruised knuckle one by one. “You already are.”

CHAPTER 46

Scott

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