Page 96 of Hero Mine

“But that wasn’t what was going on, was it?” Finn asked.

“No.”

His parents looked at each other. Obviously, this wasn’t the first time they’d discussed this possibility.

“Tell us,” Finn said.

“My team and I were clearing a building, and an IED went off. The blast threw me into a building wall and killed over half my team. I sustained second-degree burns across my back and shoulders.” Bear kept his voice steady, as if delivering a mission report. “And it damaged my hearing. I have tinnitus—constant ringing. Some days are worse than others.”

Silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken emotions.

Charlie’s eyes glistened with tears, but her voice remained strong. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Derek was having the worst of his PTSD episodes. You had enough to worry about.”

“That wasn’t your call to make,” Charlie said, the words striking him like physical blows.

“I know that now,” Bear replied, meeting his mother’s gaze. “I’m sorry.”

“Can I see them? The burns?” she asked softly.

Bear glanced around the crowded restaurant. “Not here. They’re just scars now, but I’ll show you next time at my place.”

“What made you decide to tell us?” Finn asked, studying Bear’s face. “After all this time?”

“Someone helped me realize I’ve been asking others to trust me with their vulnerabilities while hiding my own.”

Understanding dawned in Finn’s eyes. “Joy knows about this?”

“She’s the only one I’ve told. Until now.”

He instinctively sought Joy out again. He grimaced as he saw Daniel was back again and talking to her. But Bear couldn’t focus on that now. He had more important things to deal with.

Finn reached across the table and gripped Bear’s arm.

“I understand why you kept it from us,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “But, son, there is nothing—absolutely nothing—you could go through that we wouldn’t want to know about. No matter what else is happening.”

His mom nodded, discreetly wiping a tear. “Protecting us by suffering alone doesn’t work. It just means we weren’t there when you needed us.”

The words hit Bear like a punch to the gut. It was exactly what he’d been doing with Joy—thinking he was protecting her when he was actually shutting her out.

Across the restaurant, Joy looked up, concern evident in her expression as she observed their intense conversation. Bear gave her a small nod, and after a moment’s hesitation, she made her way toward their table.

“Everything okay over here?” she asked, her eyes moving between the three of them.

“Better now,” Bear said, reaching for her hand. “Join us? I’m sure Hudson can spare you for a few minutes.”

Joy settled into the booth beside him, her shoulder brushing against his.

“We’re having a family conversation about the dangers of keeping secrets,” Finn explained, his eyes warm as they took in Joy. “Especially when we’re trying to protect the people we care about.”

“I may know something about that,” Joy replied, her fingers tightening around Bear’s.

“I’m sorry,” Bear said, turning to face her fully. “For not telling you about the break-ins. For making you feel like I didn’t trust your strength. Because I do trust your strength. I trust everything about you.”

“And I’m sorry for walking away instead of talking it through,” Joy responded, her green eyes steady on his. “For not being honest about what I was feeling.”

Charlie smiled gently. “Communication isn’t as easy as it sounds, is it?”

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