Page 77 of Second Draft

“You really do love her, don’t you?” His brows are drawn down as he looks between me and her.

“More than anything,” I say truthfully.

He exhales heavily. “That’s good. I know they’ll both be safe with you.”

I give a brisk nod, still wary. “They’re my family now. And I’ll do anything to protect them.”

“I know.”

My throat clenches shut, and force the next words out of my mouth. “But you’re Joshua’s biological father. If you want to be part of his life, I won’t stop you.”

Travis looks at me hard for a long moment, then he shakes his head. “Once I’m cleared, I’m going to head north again. For good. It’s better that way. For everyone.”

I can’t say I’m not relieved by his decision, but my chest also hurts at what I’m losing. What I’ve already lost.

“You’re still my brother, Travis. That won’t change.”

He leans against the wall, a sad smile playing on his lips. “For a long time, I blamed you for Dad. Felt like you took him away from me when you pulled the plug.”

“I didn’t have a choice.” My defenses immediately go up.

“Yes you did.” He puts a hand up to stop me when I open my mouth to argue. “You could have waited until I’d gotten better. Given me a chance to say goodbye.”

“He was already gone. He wouldn’t have known you were there.”

“ButIwould have known.”

The truth hits me. I’d never really understood his anger until right now. Making the decision without him was only one in a long list of times when I’d treated him as something less – never an equal.

I lost more than just my parents that day, I also lost my brother.

“I’m sorry for not waiting and for not being around more. Maybe things would have been different if I had.”

“Maybe.” He gives me one of his crooked grins, but there’s only sad acceptance in his eyes. “But then, I’ve always been a screw up.”

I can’t argue with that.

“You don’t have to be.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, but then where’s the fun in that? Live fast, die hard, right?”

I shake my head at him. “You’ve got a second chance here. Don’t fuck it up.”

“Yeah.” His lips tighten, then he glances once more at Joshua, his expression tightening. “He’s going to be one lucky kid.”

I frown, hearing the goodbye in his voice.

With a sigh, he turns and disappears out the door, and I know it’s going to be a long time before I see or hear from him again.

Chapter 30

Layla

My body is slowly healing. It’s taken almost three months, but I’m starting to feel like myself again. Well, myself with a new appreciation of life and second chances.

Almost dying will do that to you.

Walking down the stairs doesn’t hurt as much as it did, or take as much effort.

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