Page 123 of Finding Redemption

She takes it with a smile. “Thank you. I knew I was asking a lot, but I wanted to talk to you.” A line forms between her eyes.

“The floor’s all yours. No pun intended.”

She motions toward Reese. “She looks good on you.”

“She’d look good on any man. She’s spectacular, calls me on my shit, too.”

“She loves you.” Thayer studies me, her brows pulled low. “And you…”

“I love her.”

“Walker, it’s time you stop beating yourself up over us,” she says bluntly.

My eyes wide, I err on caution. “I know. Bad habits and all. Reese is helping.”

“You weren’t the only person responsible for everything that went on between us.” She stares at me.

Bile rises at the memories. “If memory serves me, yes, I was.”

“No, you were not. Listen, I knew what I was doing. Who in the hell gets engaged when they’re in love with someone else? Me. Hardy should’ve stayed and faced it. I didn’t care who loved me as long as someone did, you were the best choice.” Her face turns red at her confession.

“It went too far. I wanted full control. To save you, since you couldn’t… wouldn’t save yourself. I was wrong, so wrong.”

“When did you figure that out?” Her head tilts.

“As the door slammed on your truck. I knew I was in deep and needed to get help.” I’m making myself sick thinking about it. The disdain I feel for myself tastes bad.

“We weren’t in love. My heart belonged to someone else. I’m sorry for leading you on.” Her eyes dart to the floor.

My stomach continues to roll. “Thayer, I had no clue what love was until Reese. She loves me the way I am. My demons. My deep seeded issues threaten us and everything we hold dear, but she stands with me, helping me fight them. And yes, I do know I never loved you. Sorry.” I shrug with my half-assed apology.

“She’s good for you. I like her. Besides, anyone that can walk in and handle Ava the way she did is badass.” Thayer smiles.

“Reese is exceptional. I live to rise to her occasion.”

“I have no doubt. I’m happy for you, my friend.” She raises her brows. “And I expect to be invited to the wedding.”

“The day she agrees, the whole damn town will be invited.”

She laughs. “We’ll be there. Thank you for listening and being my friend.”

“We’ve always been friends, Thayer. Now, if Hardy would stop looking at me like he wants to kill me.” We glance over at the loves of our lives.

“Off the record, I’ll deny every word, but I once told Ava you could handle your own. Again, I’d deny that shit in front of Hardy.” She smirks, making me laugh.

“Thank you, Thayer. You gave me a part of myself back I thought I’d lost forever.”

“No, Walker. You just misplaced it. I reminded you of where it was. Heart, Walker. Remember it because you have a damn fine one.” She hugs me before reaching for Hardy. “There’s my man. Reese, take care of him. He’s one of the good ones.” She winks and takes Hardy’s hand.

“Walker, she’s incredible.” Hardy nods at Reese.

“Yes, they are.” I take Reese in my arms, and they dance away. “That was interesting.”

“Are you all right?” Reese narrows her eyes at Thayer. “Do I need to curb stomp her?”

“Wow, redheads do have a temper.” I jostle her to make her look at me. “Are you… jealous?”

“Jealous? No. Yes.” She averts her eyes.