Page 27 of Truck Hard

“Then let me help.” I seize on the opening. “With the house, at least. Garret mentioned you need some work done.”

“I don’t need your charity.”

“It’s not charity, Hannah.” I resist the urge to reach for her again. “It’s me trying to do one small thing right after doing so many things wrong.”

She studies me for a long moment, and I force myself to stand still under her scrutiny. To let her see whatever she needs to see in my face.

Finally, she sighs. “I have to get back to work.”

“I know.” I straighten, preparing to leave, but I can’t help adding, “Think about what I said? Please?”

She doesn’t answer, just turns away to wipe down the already clean counter. But she doesn’t tell me to stay away either, and right now, that feels like progress.

The bell chimes one last time as I step out into the spring sunshine. My truck waits across the street, but I don’t head toward it immediately. Instead, I stand there for a moment, watching through the window as Hannah serves another customer. Her smile is professional, practiced, revealing nothing of our conversation.

But I saw behind that smile today. Saw the pain and fear and anger she carries. Saw the walls she’s built to protect herself—from Charlie, from me, from the whole damn world that let her down.

Those walls won’t come down easily. Maybe they shouldn’t. Maybe she’s right to keep her distance, to protect herself and Cameron from more hurt.

But I meant what I said. I love her. I never stopped loving her, even when I was trying to convince myself otherwise. And now that I know about Cameron, now that I’ve seen the truth of what Charlie did to her...

I’m not walking away again.

The thought settles in my chest like a promise as I cross the street to my truck. Hannah might not be ready to let me in yet, but I’ll be here. Watching, waiting, proving with actions rather than words that I can be the man she needed me to be thirteen years ago.

It’s not much. But it’s a start.

As I climb into the driver’s seat, movement catches my eye. Through Frank’s window, I see Hannah watching me, an unreadable expression on her face. Our eyes meet for a brief moment before she turns away, back to her customers and her carefully constructed walls.

But she looked. And maybe that’s enough for now.

I start the engine and pull away from the curb, mind already racing with plans.

The house needs work? Fine. I’ll fix every damn thing that’s broken, even if I have to do it in the middle of the night while she sleeps.

Cameron needs a father? I’ll prove I can be that, even if I have to earn his trust one small gesture at a time.

And Hannah... Hannah needs to know she’s not alone anymore. That she never has to be alone again, if she doesn’t want to be.

I can’t change the past thirteen years. But I can damn well change everything that comes after.

The thought carries me back toward the shop, where work and responsibilities wait. But my mind stays at Frank’s, with the woman behind the counter who still holds my heart in her hands, even if she doesn’t know it.

Or maybe she does. Maybe that’s why she’s so afraid to let me close again.

Either way, I’m not giving up this time. I’ve wasted thirteen years being a coward, watching from the sidelines while Hannah suffered. No more.

This time, I’m staying. This time, I will not be the one pushing anyone away.

Chapter 6

Courtroom Shadows

Hannah

Despite my efforts to remain calm, my legs shake as I walk through the courthouse doors, Cam’s hand clutched tightly in mine. I tried to make him stay home but he refused to let me do this alone. Another example of how I failed my son. This is a burden he shouldn’t have to bear.

My heels click against the polished surface, each step echoing through the cavernous hallway like a countdown. A countdown to what, I’m not sure. Freedom? Justice? Or just another disappointment in a long line of them?

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