Page 50 of Truck Hard

I lean down, pressing my forehead to hers. Her hands fist in my shirt, holding on tight. We stand like that for a long moment, breathing each other in, letting the weight of everything that’s happened settle around us.

Finally, Hannah sighs and steps back. “I should check on him.”

“Want me to come with you?”

She shakes her head. “No, I think... I think he needs some time to process everything. But maybe tomorrow? If you’re not too busy at the shop?”

“I’ll make time.” The words come out fierce with conviction. “Whatever you need, whenever you need it. I meant what I said. I’m not going anywhere.”

A small smile touches her lips. “I believe you.”

I watch her climb the stairs, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. The sound of her soft knock on Cam’s door drifts down, followed by the murmur of their voices.

My family. The thought hits me like a lightning bolt. They’re my family, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect them. To be a part of their lives even if it takes me the rest of my life to do it.

Charlie’s threat hangs in the air like smoke, but I push it aside. He can try whatever he wants. This time, I’m ready. This time, I won’t let him hurt the people I love.

I settle onto the worn couch, prepared to wait as long as needed. Hannah and Cam are safe upstairs, but I’m not leaving until I’m absolutely certain Charlie won’t try coming back.

Let him try. He’ll find me waiting.

The house creaks and settles around me, full of memories both old and new. I remember climbing the old oak tree by the side of the house and sneaking in through Hannah’s window when we were teenagers, stealing kisses in the hallway, dreaming of a future together. We were so young then, so full of hope and possibilities.

Now here we are, older and scarred, but maybe... maybe those possibilities aren’t completely lost. Maybe we can build something new from the ashes of our past. Something stronger. Something unbreakable.

I close my eyes, letting the sounds of Hannah and Cam moving around upstairs wash over me. Whatever comes next, I won’t let her face it alone. Never again. And God help anyone who tries to tear us apart.

Above me, Cam laughs at something Hannah says. The sound fills the house with warmth, chasing away the lingering shadows of Charlie’s presence. I smile, settling deeper into the couch.

This is what I want. What I always wanted. A home filled with laughter and love. If I’m lucky, if she lets me, someday this will be my normal.

The creaking of the stairs draws my attention. Hannah descends slowly, her expression thoughtful. She pauses on thebottom step, studying me. “You don’t have to stay, you know. We’ll be okay.”

“I know you will be.” I pat the couch beside me. “But I want to stay anyway. For a little while longer. If that’s alright with you?”

She hesitates a moment before crossing to join me. The couch dips as she sits, close enough that our shoulders brush. “Charlie won’t come back today. His parents won’t let him out of their sight for a while.”

“Probably not.” I agree. “But I’m not taking any chances.”

She’s quiet for a long moment, picking at a loose thread on her jeans. “I never wanted this for Cam. All this violence and fear. I thought... I thought I was protecting him by staying with Charlie. Because I knew Charlie wouldn’t let me go so easily. He hates losing. Even the things he doesn’t really want.”

Her words are almost painful to hear. “Hannah.”

“I convinced myself it was better this way.” She takes a deep breath. “That Charlie could give him opportunities despite the truth. That if I could just tolerate his abuse until Cam was older, that he’d be better off.”

I want to interrupt, to tell her none of this was her fault, but I force myself to stay quiet. To let her get it all out.

“But I was wrong. So wrong.” Her voice cracks. “All I did was trap us both in a nightmare. And now Cam’s paying the price. He’s had to grow up so fast, become so strong. He shouldn’t have had to be strong like that. Not at his age.”

I reach over, taking her hand in mine. Her fingers are cold, and I rub them gently between my palms. “You did the best you could with an impossible situation. And Cam... yeah, he’s had to deal with things no kid should face. But look at him, Hannah. Look at how brave he is. How protective and caring. That’s because of you.”

She shakes her head. “He’s like that because of you. He has your heart.”

The simple statement steals my breath. “I wish—” I have to stop, clear my throat. “I wish I’d known. About him being mine. I would have—”

“Would have what?” She turns to face me fully. “Married me instead of pushing me away? Fought Charlie for custody? We were so young, Liam. And you were dealing with so much—taking care of your brothers, the shop—”

“None of that matters.” I grip her hand tighter. “I should have fought for you. Should have seen what kind of man Charlie really was. Should have—”

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