Page 42 of Truck Hard

“Ran into the kid in Waverly several months before I got the call. Hannah was in some store, he was waiting outside. You learn to recognize certain things in this line of work—the way someone carries themselves, the look in their eyes.” He takes another sip. “Kid had so much anger in him. Rage. The kind that comes from watching someone you love get hurt and feeling powerless to stop it.”

My heart clenches. Cam shouldn’t have had to deal with any of that. Should never have been put in a position where he had to protect his mother from the man who was supposed to love her.

The man I sent her to, a treacherous voice whispers in my mind.

Edge continues. “I’ve only ever seen that look in kids when something like this is happening. So I approached him. Told him I understood. I gave him my number, told him if he ever needed help to call me. That I’d help no matter the time of day. That I specialize in getting women and kids out of dangerous situations.” He shrugs. “Months went by, didn’t hear anything. Then one day I did. I promised I’d help, so I helped.”

“Thank you,” I say again, the words feeling inadequate for the depth of gratitude I feel. “If you hadn’t been there—”

“But I was. As was Christian.” Edge cuts me off firmly. “No point dwelling on what-ifs. She’s safe now. They both are. That’s what matters.”

He’s right, of course. But I can’t help thinking about all the what-ifs. What if I hadn’t pushed Hannah away? What if I’d been there to protect her from Charlie? What if I’d known about Cam?

Edge must see some of this on my face because his expression softens slightly. “Look, Liam. You can’t change the past. But you’re here now. That counts for something.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Edge raises his glass in a silent toast, then turns back to his whiskey, clearly considering the conversation over.

Taking the hint, I head back to my brothers. They’ve started a new game, Warren and Mac against Ash. The sight of them laughing and joking eases something in my chest. This is what family looks like—not perfect, but present. Supporting each other through good times and bad. No matter what.

“There he is!” Mac calls out as I approach. “Done with your super-secret meeting?”

I roll my eyes. “Just saying thank you for helping Hannah.”

“Speaking of Hannah,” Ash says casually, too casually. “Heard you’ve been spending some time at her house. Fixing things.”

Of course they know about that—nothing stays secret for long in this town. Heat creeps up my neck. I’m not sure why exactly. I have no reason to be embarrassed because I help her. “Yeah, well. Place needs work. Figured I could help out.”

“Uh huh.” Ash smirks. “And that’s all that happened? Just...fixing things?”

The kiss flashes through my mind again—the softness of her lips, the way she kissed me back like she needed the connection just as much as I did. But that’s private. Sacred almost. Not something to be dissected over beers and pool.

“Shut up and take your shot.” I grumble, grabbing my beer.

My brothers exchange knowing looks but mercifully drop the subject. The game continues, accompanied by good-natured ribbing and increasingly outrageous trick shots as the beers flow. For a while, I let myself get caught up in it—the simplepleasure of being with family, of not having to carry the weight of responsibility alone.

But even as I laugh at Mac’s terrible attempt at a behind-the-back shot, part of me remains alert. Watching the door, scanning faces, always ready. Because that’s who I am now—the protector, the guardian, the one who has to make sure everyone is safe.

Edge’s words echo in my mind.You can’t change the past. But you’re here now.

Maybe that’s enough. Maybe being here—for Hannah, for Cam, for my brothers—is all I can do. All I need to do. All I’m meant to do.

The thought settles something in me, makes it easier to breathe. To enjoy this moment with my brothers without drowning in guilt over the past or anxiety about the future.

For now, at least, I can just... be.

Mac lines up another ridiculous shot, this time trying to jump the cue ball over two others. “Watch this, I saw it on YouTube.”

The ball goes flying off the table, narrowly missing a patron’s head and causing a round of cursing. My brothers dissolve into laughter, and despite myself, I join in.

Tomorrow I’ll go back to worrying. Back to trying to figure out how to be there for Hannah without pushing too hard, how to be a father to a son I barely know, how to keep everyone safe.

But tonight? Tonight I’m just a guy having beers with his brothers, pretending for a few hours that the world isn’t quite so complicated.

The eight ball drops into the corner pocket with a satisfying thunk. Mac throws his hands up in victory while Ash groans dramatically. Warren catches my eye and raises his bottle in a silent toast.

Yeah. This is exactly where I need to be right now.

Chapter 10

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