Page 121 of Waiting for Redemption

“Ruby, how the hell could you not tell usanyof this? We would have been there for you, we would have slashed some tires or put nair in her shampoo at theveryleast,” Shane says sweetly.

“I swear I wasn’t trying to keep you guys in the dark. You all know how much I love you, and that you’re all like sisters to me, it’s just…” I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words to describe where my mind has been.

“It’s like ever since the day he showed back up, I’ve been stuck inside a tornado. Doing my best to focus on Hendrix so the impact wouldn’t throw me out and break me. Then ending up with Tank happenedbecauseof everything with Mark and it all just felt so…unreal. Our wedding night was life-changing for me—and not just in a dirty way.” I roll my teary eyes at Taylor.

“Just.” She snickers quietly, making Leah slap her arm.

“He helped me erase so much of the trauma Mark left behind. He was showing me how much he loved me before the words ever left his mouth, so when they actually did—I couldn’tnotbelieve him, and I had already fallen for him too. Before I knew it, the tornado felt like a steady wind, and it was just the three of us left standing in it. The case got officially thrown out this morning. I amsosorry I haven’t been able to include you guys more,” I apologize, looking around to see tears falling from everyone’s eyes.

“Don’t you dare apologize. You’re here now and you’re happy,” Leah says.

“And Rubes, you’refree. Like, actually free of him now. Hendrix isn’t going anywhere and you have a husband who loves you and God knows he loves that little boy of yours,” Lauren adds.

“I love you guys so much.” We all stand up and run into a massive group hug, complete with running mascara and sniffles.

“Now, who’s ready to get a restraining order?” Leah exclaims, wiping under her eyes as we all laugh and do the same.

“Knowing Tank, he’s already got it in the works,” I admit.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as beautiful as the way that man loves you and Hendrix,” Lauren says as we all take our seats again.

“You know,” I look around to ensure the guys are still outside, “I’ve been thinking about surprising him and asking him if he’d want to adopt Hendrix. Officially. I would have to ask Hendrix of course, but he already calls him Dad and thinks he hung the moon so I don’t think he’d say no.”

“I think that would make his entire life,” Taylor says immediately.

“You think so?” I question.

“Sis, you have no idea how badly that man missed you while you two were apart. He would text Tucker at least once a day to check on you both.”

“Same with me and Max. He always wanted to know how you and Hendrix both were. If you needed anything, how Hen was doing in school. He even made me drop packs of Sour Patch Kids in your backpack when you were having bad days.” She laughs.

“That was because of him? I thought I was going crazy. They would always show up the same day I finished a pack and then I would think I hallucinated finishing them in the first place.”

“He’ll do it. He’ll adopt him on paper. Because it’s very clear to anyone with eyes that he’s already adopted him at heart,” Leah says, making my stomach flip with excitement.

I’m gonna ask my husband to adopt my son.

“Okay.” Taylor clears her throat. “Here’s to making the guys cook for Christmas and ordering in the pies.” She lifts her margarita glass in the air.

“Cheers to that.” We all clink glasses and have a good laugh as the guys join us in the living room again.

CHAPTER39

TANK

“Where’s my boy at Tank?”Harold asks as soon as he catches sight of me.

“You know, I’m starting to think that’s the only reason you look forward to my visits now,” I accuse, causing him to shrug as he averts my gaze.

“I’ve never seen a kid win as many games of chess or Go-Fish in my life. He’s some kind of secret genius or something. Smart as a whip and funny.”

“Oh, it’s no secret. He gets it from his mama, who he’s spending the day with today,” I explain, earning a look of disapproval as Harold grumbles back at me.

“I’m sorry. We’re currently at full capacity, but we do have a waiting list that you could join if you’re interested,”the voice of the receptionist, Tiffany, catches my ear as I hear her turn away yet another vet in need of care.

The Veterans Centeris one of the few places in Nashville that offers top-of-the-line care for the men and women who need it. When I found out about it during one of my AA meetings, I came the next day to see how I could help. Doug opened the doors a few years ago, and the amount of people he’s told me they’ve had to turn away makes my stomach churn. Tiffany, his daughter, works every clerical position you could imagine here from answering phones to scheduling food deliveries, medical supplies, and linens. Doug’s wife Lily is one of the reasons he opened this place to begin with. She was given horrible care at another facility and he was absolutely outraged. He spent the next year planning and getting funding to open the center, and now it’s doing so well that they’re having to turn people away every week.

“Tank, how you been my man?”

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