Page 84 of Truck Hard

“So,” Warren says eventually, voice carefully neutral. “Things seem to be going well with Hannah and Cam.”

I focus on measuring the next section of baseboard, buying time to organize my thoughts. “Yeah. It’s... good. Really good.”

“But?”

I glance at him, surprised by his perceptiveness. “What makes you think there’s a but?”

He snorts. “Because I know you. You’ve got that look—like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

The observation hits uncomfortably close to home. I set down my pencil with a sigh. “I just… I can’t mess this up again. Hannah, Cam—they’ve been through so much already. If I fail them—”

“You won’t.” Warren’s voice is firm. “You’re not the same kid who pushed her away thirteen years ago. And she’s not the same girl who married Charlie.”

“I know.” I run a hand through my hair, frustrated by my inability to articulate the fear gnawing at my gut. “But what if it’s not enough? What if—”

“What if you stop overthinking everything and just let yourself be happy?” Warren interrupts, fixing me with a stern look. “You’re doing the work, Liam. Being there for them. Building something real. The rest will come.”

Before I can respond, the sound of a car door slamming draws our attention. Through the window, I watch Hannahclimb out of her car, Cam close behind. They’re returning from his first baseball practice—something that still fills me with a mix of pride and regret. Another milestone I should have been there for from the beginning.

But Warren’s right. I can’t change the past. All I can do is be here now, building a future one day at a time.

“Speaking of which,” Warren says with a grin though there’s sadness in his eyes. I make a mental note to ask him what that’s about. “Looks like your family’s home.”

My family. The words send a warm surge through my chest. “Yeah. They are.”

The front door opens, bringing with it the sound of laughter and excited chatter. Cam’s voice carries down the hallway, animated as he describes some play from practice.

“Dad!” he calls out. “Dad, you’ll never believe what happened!”

The excitement in his voice draws me like a magnet. I set down my tools, already moving toward the door. Warren follows, a knowing smile on his face.

Cam bursts into the room, practically vibrating with energy. His new baseball uniform is covered in dirt, evidence of diving catches and sliding into bases. But his grin could light up the whole house.

“I caught a line drive!” He exclaims. “Right out of the air! Coach says I have natural instincts!”

Pride swells in my chest. “That’s amazing, buddy! Show me how you did it.”

He immediately drops into a ready stance, mimicking the catch with obvious joy. Hannah appears in the doorway behind him, her expression soft as she watches us. Our eyes meet over Cam’s head, and the love I see there takes my breath away.

“Hey,” she says softly.

“Hey yourself.” I want to go to her, pull her close, but I force myself to focus on Cam’s enthusiastic demonstration. We’re still finding our footing, learning how to be a family. No need to rush.

“Mom says we can practice more this weekend,” Cam says, bouncing on his toes. “Will you help? Please?”

“Of course.” As if I could deny him anything. “Actually...” An idea forms, sparked by memories of endless summer afternoons with my brothers. “How would you like to learn from the whole team?”

His eyes go wide. “Really?”

I glance at Hannah, seeing approval in her slight nod. “Sunday dinner at the homestead. We can set up a makeshift field, get all your uncles involved. What do you say?”

“Yes!” Cam practically shouts. Then he pauses, uncertainty creeping into his expression. “But... What if I’m not good enough? Uncle Chase played in high school, and Uncle Mac races cars, and—”

“Hey.” I crouch down to his level, meeting his eyes. “We all have to start somewhere. We’ll all help you learn. Besides,” I add with a wink, “your old man wasn’t half bad at baseball himself back in the day.”

The worry melts from his face, replaced by that brilliant grin that looks so much like Hannah’s. “Promise?”

“Promise.” I ruffle his hair, earning a mock-indignant squawk. “Now go clean up. Warren and I need to finish these baseboards.”

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