Page 77 of Back in the Country
“We both gotta fix it,” he says as he drags a heavy hand down his face. I clear my throat because while I know we’re talking about his sister, it’s more than just what’s going on between us. It’s him too.
“When you’re ready, I think you should talk to Hank about…adjusting to being home.”
“Let’s just focus on my sister and I’ll…think about it.” It’s the best I’ll get out of him but I take the win.
“I have an idea.”
“It better be a really fuckin’ good one,” he grumbles, and there’s so much rawness in his eyes my chest hurts all over again.
“First we’re going to take a road trip.” His lips twitch.
“I’ll drive.”
“Then we’ll work on the rest of it,” I tell him with a confidence I don’t totally feel. But it doesn’t matter, because I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she’s my forever.
“Okay.”
“I’m going to marry your sister.”
“You going to ask for my permission, dick?”
“I just did.”
He glares but there’s more clarity in his gaze, as if the adrenaline rush of the last few minutes has finally worn off.
“Ask me nicely,” he says, but I shake my head.
“She comes first. That starts right now. So I’m lettin’ you know as my best friend whom I love and respect, that I will be asking Marlee to marry me.”
A heavy silence settles between us, and I can’t remember another time in our entire lives where so much emotion has weighed down on us.
He holds out his hand, and I breathe a sigh of relief as I return his shake before pulling him in to me. The hug is everything we can’t say out loud, and when it ends, I feel both exhausted and energized.
“What’s the plan?” Sorren asks as he shoves his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.
“We have a lot of work to do, and we’re going to need everyone on board if we’re going to get it done in time.”
I give him the rundown, and he nods before pulling out his phone to start making calls. I pull mine out as well, but there’s only one person I want to talk to right now.
WAYLON:How badly did I fuck up?
MARLEE:You tell me.
It is 100%worse than I thought—not undeserved, butfuck.
WAYLON:I’m going to make this right.
MARLEE:If that’s what you want to do.
WAYLON:It’s the only thing, Baby Girl. You are it for me and I’ll apologize for the rest of our lives if that’s what it takes.
She doesn’t sayanything after that, but the fact that she even texted me back is all the encouragement I need. Come hell or high water, I’m gonna get my girl back.
31
MARLEE
Hank let me cry all the way to the airport before giving me the pep talk of a lifetime and a hug that made me cry even harder. That man is going to make the absolute best husband and father when he finally allows himself to be happy.
