Page 50 of Waiting for Redemption

I thought we had a real shot at something. I feel so stupid for letting myself want something—someone—so badly. This is exactly why I’ve stayed single all these years. Because as soon as my heart gets involved, everything starts falling apart.

I knew things with Tank would be anything but simple, but he was the one person I was willing to take the risk on. Until I realized just how big of a risk that truly was.

The craziest part about everything that’s happened, is none of it made me scared ofTank. Believe it or not, no matter what demons he’s facing I’m not afraid of them. Because Iknowthe real Tank—the one that gave me the shirt off his back and danced with me in the bar. The one that looks at me like I’m his saving grace and kisses me like it’s the only thing keeping him alive. The one who loves my kid, cleans my house, and rubs my feet. He isn’t someone I fear at all, but the darkness he’s getting lost in is. He may feel like he’s broken or damaged by the things that take over his mind and send him into survival mode, but against all odds, I still love him.

But my love for Tank will never outweigh my love for Hendrix, or my need to protect him. So I’ll hope and I’ll pray that he finds someone to help him find the light again. And maybe then we can see what’s next for us.

* * *

Taylor

Moving day bitchesssss.

Shane

Me

Can’t wait babe! Also, Hendrix is very excited to be helping today. He has a hard hat and everything.

Leah

I fucking love that kid.

Lauren

We’ll have you packed up and shacked up in no time.

Taylor

I’m not loving the use of “shacked up” like I’m crashing on his couch until I get my life together but… sure, let’s shack me up.

Leah

Me

Lauren

Taylor

I hate you all.

Shane

You know you love us.

CHAPTER19

TANK

The sun shinesthrough the window in my living room, illuminating the almost empty bottle of whiskey sitting on my coffee table. My leg shakes vigorously as I scroll through every news outlet looking for information on the attack made in Iraq. I’ve texted every contact I have that could tell me anything about what happened and not a single response from any of them. Suddenly I feel bile threatening to escape my throat when I refresh the website for the Nashville Times Local News and see the headline for the story posted five minutes ago.

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