Page 60 of Waiting for Redemption

The fuck did she just say to me?

I’ve died and gone to hell, haven’t I? Because this is my worst nightmare.

“Maybe if you were married and could offer the same support financially as you claim you can emotionally, things would look different for your case.” I could rip this woman to shreds if I could do anything but sit here with my mouth hanging open right now.

She brushes it off as if there’s nothing left to do. The finality in her voice makes me want to throw up in panic. That’s it? He comes waltzing in out of thin air and starts making claims that arebullshitand actually stands a chance to take my kid because I’m notmarried?Fat. Fucking. Chance.

“But, I’m engaged,” I blurt out, causing her to sit up straighter in her chair.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Why did I say that?

“Oh.” Her brows knit together. “You hadn’t mentioned that before.” She flips through her paperwork, likely checking to make sure she hadn’t overlooked that detail. “Well, I suppose thatcouldhelp your side of things. Let’s get that information added to your paperwork and go over some details.”

That’s why.

The smallest new hint of positivity in her tone almost makes me ill. As if I didn’t stand a chance of keeping full custody ofmyson without being legally bound to another person. I smile and nod, giving simple one-word answers as she asks me things about myfiancé. Each vague answer I give makes me question my decision to bring him back into this even more.

For instance…Name?

“I would love to sit down with the two of you at some point and go over some things about the case, would that be okay with you?” Rounding her desk to see me out, I smile to keep the nausea at bay.

“Of course.” I keep it together until I’m back in my car, then it hits me. I have to actuallytellTank about this now.

Shit. What have I done?

* * *

Knock knock knock.

Tank opens the door to his apartment, and all the air I’m holding in my lungs escapes when I see him. His dark brown hair is longer than usual, going all different directions like he just rolled out of bed, his beard is fuller making his green eyes stand out against the dark scruff and tanned skin, and he’s wearing blue jeans with no shirt.

I can’t stop staring at the tattoos that cover his chest and all the way up his neck, that is until I notice the defined “v” that travels well beyond the waistline of his jeans when he props his arm up against the door.

“Hey, Honey. Everything okay?” The deep rumble of his voice rattles me, reminding me of why I’m here.

“No.” I shake my head, willing my voice to steady.

“How can I help?” He opens the door further, ushering me in. As soon as I’m through the threshold, and no longer distracted by his body, my mind starts going a million miles a minute.

“What’s your name?” I blurt out frantically.

“What?” he asks with a laugh, closing the door behind us.

“Like your real name? Is Tank on your birth certificate? Is it short for something? When’s your birthday? What are you even doing for work now? Oh yeah, andwhere the hell have you been the last six months?” I yell at him, feeling the warmth of a tear roll down my cheek. I know I’m only rambling because I’m completely panicked, but as I pace around his living room, he just stands there—watching as I yell at him.

It reminds me of the day he picked up Hendrix from school and spent the day with him. I got home to a clean house and hot dinner and I went on and on about how it and he just… let me.

“You’ve known me for two years, how do you not remember when my birthday is?” He shakes his head, looking genuinely confused. I shoot him an annoyed look, bothered by the fact thatthatis the detail he settled on questioning. Instead of answering him, I continue.

“How could you just leave me like that? Aftereverythingthat happened, you just disappeared on me, onHendrix. You crushed him, you know? You crushed him and you crushed me and I amso SOmad at you for it.” I’m completely sobbing now, as I see the pain wash over his features. His brows knit together, jaw ticking rapidly as he visibly swallows. He looks like he might say something, but when he doesn’t I ask the only thing I really need to know at this moment.

“Are you better now, Tank? Please tell me you’re better now.” I blink away the tears, holding my breath as I await his answer.

“I am. Much better than the last time we were here,” he says, glancing around his apartment. I take a minute to look around, remembering every single thing I felt during the drive over here that day. Seeing him standing in the living room when I walked in opened my eyes to how much I truly cared for Tank.

“Ruby.” He moves closer to me and I can instantly feel the heat radiating from him. “What happened?” I take a deep breath, breathing in his intoxicatingly sexy scent, as he runs his hands along my arms.

“He’s trying to get custody of Hendrix.”

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