Page 66 of Redemption
Tapping my finger against my nose, I shrug. “A man can never be too careful.”
She lunges at me, stomping her foot, and my smile nearly takes up my whole face.
I don’t remember the last time I smiled like this.
That’s a lie.
I do remember, and it turned out to be one of the worst days of my life.
The memory causes my stomach to turn.
“Fine,” I say, putting my hand down. “But I’m not leaving. What if you need someone to test out the couch for you? Who would do that if I leave?”
The house belongs to an elderly couple who moved to Florida. They still own the home because they always wanted to be a part of Benton Falls, but they didn’t want it to sit empty. They put it up for rent a few weeks ago, and even before we walk in, I know it’s perfect for MJ. Plus, it’s only a few houses down from mine—but I won’t tell her that. She’ll choose any other house in town if she finds out.
She rolls her eyes, “It’s not furnished, you idiot.”
Shrugging, I throw her a wicked smile—one that I know affects her just as much as she affects me because when I lean in,her breath hitches in her chest for a fraction of a second. I keep leaning forward until our faces are only inches apart, and then I whisper, “Either you walk in, or I carry you in. Which will it be, sweetheart?”
She narrows her eyes and spins, stomping off towards the front door.
With a sadistic chuckle, I follow along behind her.
Three stairs lead to a small front porch that will fit two rocking chairs at most. The white siding and wooden door give it a classic Southern look. It’s quaint—not flashy like her mom and dad’s house, but MJ always said she wanted a home that was warm and welcoming as soon as you stepped in the door. I never told her that any house she was in would feel like that—at least for me.
MJ finds the key under the mat where the owners said it would be and puts it in the lock. The officer inside me cringes at the lack of safety, but at the same time, wearein Benton Falls, where the crime rate mainly consists of a wayward cow escaping and destroying someone’s yard.
A gasp slips past MJ’s lips as she turns the knob and steps inside, and I grit my teeth against the way that sound washes over my skin. I would give my life savings to have her look at me like she’s looking at this house. A sense of awe is written on her features. It makes her look younger—more innocent—and makes me want to wrap her up in my arms and block out the world so she never loses that look.
I follow her into the house, taking it in as we go. It’s small, but that only adds to the charm. The front door opens straight into the living room, and just past that is the kitchen. Off to the right, there’s a door that I assume leads to the only bedroom in the house, based on the size from the outside. The laundry room must be off the back of the kitchen, along with a half bath.
MJ looks around the house, a small smile growing as she takes it all in.
There’s a funny pressure in my chest as I watch her, and I wonder, not for the first time in her presence, if I’m having a heart attack.
When she turns to me, that smile on her face and life in her eyes for the first time since she’s been back, I’m nearly brought to my knees. I used to dream about that smile being a part of my life. Now we can hardly be in the same room.
She studies me, and her brows dip, conflict shining in her eyes. “Thank you.”
The words are strained—as if they pained her to say them. Her blue eyes pierce through me.
“For what?” I ask, confused.
She doesn’t drop her gaze but continues staring at me as she says, “For believing me about Tanner—just, thank you.”
“You deserved for someone to hear your concerns this time.”
Her throat bobs as she swallows hard and drops her gaze.
“Can I ask you a question?” She asks
“Always,” I say, leaning my shoulder against the wall, and I mean it too. I will always answer any question she has.
“How did you do it—go back to football, I mean.”
And there it is—the topic we’ve avoided talking about.
There was a time when we both loved this sport, but it took more away from us than it gave back. That turned into bitter hate, and that hate led to making decisions that shaped the rest of our lives.
