Page 109 of Truck Hard

Tears spill down her cheeks at that, but she doesn’t look away. “I’m so tired of being afraid,” she whispers. “So tired of letting him win, even when he’s not here.”

This time I do reach for her hand, and the way she immediately laces her fingers through mine makes my chest ache. “You don’t have to carry this weight alone anymore. I’m here. I want to help you fight these battles. Not because I think you can’t handle them yourself, but because you shouldn’t have to.”

She stares at our joined hands for a long moment. “I’d like that. But I need you to be patient with me,” she says finally. “There are going to be days when the fear wins. Days when I pull away or push you away because it feels safer than letting myself be vulnerable.”

“I’ve got nothing but time.” I squeeze her fingers gently. “I’ll wait as long as you need. Just don’t shut me out completely? Even if you need space, let me know you’re okay?”

A small smile tugs at her lips—the first I’ve seen since I sat down. “I can do that.”

“That’s all I’m asking for.” I brush my thumb across her knuckles, savoring the simple contact. “And Hannah? When I told you I loved you, I meant it. But you don’t have to say it back until you’re ready. If you’re ever ready. Just knowing you’re willing to try, to let me be part of your life—that’s enough for now.”

Fresh tears spill down her cheeks, but these feel different somehow. Cleansing rather than painful, like the first warm rain after a long winter. Her blue eyes shine with a vulnerability that makes my heart ache.

“When did you get so wise?” she asks, trying for a teasing tone but not quite making it. Her voice wavers slightly, betraying the depth of emotion she’s fighting to control.

“Probably around the time I realized what an idiot I was for letting you go the first time.” The old guilt rises up, threatening to choke me. “If I had fought for you back then, if I hadn’t been so caught up in my own insecurities—”

“Don’t.” She cuts me off firmly. “We can’t change the past, Liam. God knows I’ve spent enough time wondering ‘what if.’ All we can do is try to be better now. To make different choices.”

She’s right, of course. But that doesn’t stop the memories from flooding back—the night I told her to marry Charlie, thinking I was doing the right thing. Thinking a man with moneyand status could give her a better life than some grease monkey with a failing auto shop and too many family responsibilities.

If I had known what he’d do to her…

Hannah must see where my thoughts are going because she squeezes my hand hard enough to hurt. “Hey. Look at me.” When I do, her eyes are fierce despite the tears. “What happened with Charlie wasn’t your fault. The choices he made, the things he did—that’s on him. Only him.”

“I should have been there for you.” I insist, the words torn from somewhere deep inside me. “Should have seen what was happening.”

“How could you? I hid it from everyone. My own parents didn’t know.” She stares off in the distance, lost in memories I can only imagine. “Besides, you’re here now. That’s what matters.”

A comfortable silence falls between us as we both process everything that’s been said. The sun has shifted lower on the horizon. The after school rush will start soon, bringing with it the usual crowd of locals looking for ice cream and burgers.

“I should get back to work,” Hannah says reluctantly, glancing at her watch. “My break was over ten minutes ago.”

I nod, but neither of us moves to let go of the other’s hand. “Have dinner with me tonight?” The words slip out before I can stop them. “Nothing fancy, just… I’d like to spend more time with you. With both of you.”

She hesitates for a moment, and I hold my breath. “Okay,” she says finally. “Can we do it at my house? Cam said he had a lot of homework to get done.”

“Whatever you need.” Relief floods through me. “I’ll take care of everything. Around seven?”

“That sounds perfect.” She starts to stand, then pauses. “Liam? Thank you. For being so patient with me. For understanding.”

I reach up to brush a stray tear from her cheek, my heart swelling when she leans into the touch instead of pulling away. “Always.”

She gives me one last smile before heading back inside, and I watch her go with a mixture of hope and lingering concern. The conversation was a start—a good one—but I know we still have a long road ahead of us. Charlie may be in jail, but his influence lingers like poison in Hannah’s mind. It will take time for her to fully trust again, to believe she deserves happiness.

But for the first time since she came back to town, I truly believe we can make it work. That the love we share is strong enough to overcome the shadows of her past.

I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to her if I have to.

Chapter 24

A Stand for Safety

Hannah

Istare at my reflection in the bedroom mirror, my heart hammering against my ribs. The charcoal gray suit feels foreign after months of jeans and t-shirts—a remnant of my old life, back when Charlie insisted I dress “appropriately” for political functions. But today the outfit serves a different purpose. Today, I’m wearing it as armor.

Downstairs, I can hear Cam moving around the kitchen, probably making himself breakfast before school. The familiar sounds of our morning routine should be comforting, but anxiety churns in my stomach like a living thing.

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