Page 40 of Pound

Trip looked out at the road. “She did it to protect me. She didn’t want me to kill him.”

“Exactly. You would’ve done things differently because your life experience is different, but you ultimately understand why she pushed you away.”

Her brother gave a slight nod. “That’s Anna, er, Lea. She survived what she did and handled things in a way we can all admit was inappropriate, but she did it to push him away. She was crying for help, and no one could hear her. She was one-hundred-percent wrong, and she understands that now. No one is justifying abuse, not even her, but I feel like there has to be the potential for forgiveness. If not, then why would anyone ever try to improve themselves? Besides, the forgiveness is more for Joe’s sake than hers. He can’t carry that guilt much longer.”

“I could say the same about you.”

“Me?” Meri was shocked. “Why me?”

“Jake. JJ. The lost time together he cost us. You think I don’t see that when I look at you? You carry it around like a lead weight. None of what he did is on you, Meri, or me either. JJ helped me see that. She kept the secret from us, and we can’t be responsible for not sniffing it out.”

Meri burst into tears. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized she still held on to that. She cried for everything that had happened over the last twelve years. She cried for miles and miles. She cried across the state of Nevada until her tears ran dry.

Finally, Trip asked the million-dollar question.

“So, where does all this leave you with my vice president?”

Meri smiled. She saw her future with Pound. He’d make a phenomenal dad to the twins and more if he wanted. He was loyal, as evidenced by his commitment to the Phantoms. He loved hard and rode harder. He was everything she wanted in her life.

“That will really depend on him. He wants a future with me and the twins. I believe that with all of my heart, but he is loyal to a fault. If he feels an obligation to stay with her, then I wouldn’t stand in the way. It would break my heart, but I’d deal with it.”

“I won’t.” He sounded outraged.

“Yes, you will, Cristofer James Adams. Forcing him to choose isn’t a choice at all. Besides, I don’t want a man who isn’t all in. However, no matter what happens, I think the kids and I will stay in Vegas. I’d like to be around when you and JJ decide to give me a niece or nephew.”

He cut his eyes to her, then back to the road with a look of guilt.

“Oh my god, is she…?”

“Not officially, no, but not officially not either. That’s all I’ll say about that, or she might just castrate me.”

That meant Meri would be an auntie sooner rather than later.

“My lips are sealed.” She locked her lips tight, rolled down the window, and tossed the imaginary key out of it.

“You’re such a dork,” he accused.

“Me? I’m not the one with a storage unit full of MTG cards and D & D shit galore.”

“Hey, we agreed not to mention that. Besides, I’m only saving them for James and Crissy.”

“Okay, but when you’re ready to come out of the dungeon, so to speak, I’ll be there with open arms and a D20.”

The rest of the drive passed with easier conversation. It turned to the kids, and that always made her smile.

“I can’t wait to hold them close and sniff their little heads.”

“You do realize they’re not babies anymore, right, sis?”

“I know,” she pouted. “And James only gives me side hugs now, but I hold him as long as he allows it, and I always sniff his head. Of course, he always does the whole “Moooom” thing. He acts way too old for his age.”

“Hmm,” was all Trip had to say.

“Of course, it’s my fault. I named him after his uncle who has always been an old soul.” Her brother smiled a genuine smile. The kind he’d been missing for the last decade, and it warmed her heart to know it was back.

“Crissy isn’t exactly the sweet little cherub she pretends to be, you know? She’s got your number and she dials it up whenever it suits her.”

“I know, but I don’t mind. Soon, she’ll be a moody teen who thinks I’m ruining her life. One who’d rather swallow a live spider than ask me for anything. So, I’ll enjoy it while I can.” Meri laughed.

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