Page 124 of Finding Redemption

“I think I like it.” I smirk.

“You would.” She shakes her head. “Shall we dance the night away?”

“Sounds like a damn good plan.”

Later that night, we help my parents with Riley and Ava’s gifts. Cleaning up a few, small areas and putting the cake in their car. Riley took Ava to Charleston for the rest of the week, just a short getaway. Mom carried her roses home. They were used to represent Sallie’s absence.

The car’s silent on the way home. I’m not sure if it’s from exhaustion or bliss. It’s been a long time since I’ve smiled as much as I did tonight. “What’cha thinkin about?”

“Tonight, was amazing. Thank you for inviting me.” She relaxes her elbow on the middle console.

“I’m thrilled for Riley and Ava. By the way, what was going on before the wedding?”

“Ava’s pregnant. Her hormones alone make her a mess. She was worried she would hurt Riley in some way.” I glance as she twists a lock of her hair.

“Ava had the same doubts while Riley was deployed. She loves him. They’ll be fine as long as they listen to their hearts.”

“Exactly.” She bobs her head. “I told her as much and explained they have each other.” She runs her hand over mine. “Can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything, anytime.”

“What did she want?” She turns to look out the window.

I run my hand over my face, shifting in my seat as every scenario of why she wants to know runs through my head. I swallow repeatedly before answering. “Thayer wanted to tell me to forgive myself. She said it was time to move forward. She also told me I was a good man. That I deserved you and to be happy.”

“Yeah, sounds like what Hardy was saying to me.” She holds our hands up, kissing mine. “It was time she freed you.”

“How did you respond?”

“I told him I already knew it. We have something that goes beyond understanding.” She pauses. “And that I have your back.”

“Yes, you do. I can’t explain what it means to me. I appreciate your belief in me. Thank you, Reese.” I raise her hand to my lips, kissing it.

“I loved the flower ceremony for Sallie. It was beautiful. And did you notice? Cynthia wore her butterfly necklace.”

“I did notice. She loves it and to have it represent Sallie, I know it’s special to her.” I move my hand from hers, rubbing the back of my neck. My lips tremble, and I stutter in forcing my words out. “I’ve never talked about her before to anyone, but I want to tell you about Sallie.”

“You don’t have to, Walker.” She rotates in her seat, so she can see me better. “I could never imagine what y’all have been through. The agony and heartbreak alone must be soul-crushing.”

I pull up at my building and park. She has no clue how desolate I am. My heart thunders in my ears. I bite back the disdain I have for myself. “I know. But I need to.” I draw in a deep breath and jump from my truck. The cold air fills my lungs, helping clear my head as I open her door. “Let’s get inside.”

Once upstairs, we settle in and I ready myself. “I was a freshman in high school when I visited Sallie for the first time at college. By the time I was a junior, I spent every other weekend with her. It was our thing. I’d drive up on Friday night and home Sunday evening.

“Until she started dating Corbin. He was great at first. He doted on her, showered her with gifts and let me hang out as usual. Then he started to change. It was small things at first. Telling her what to wear or her friend was a slut and not to hang out with her or she’d get a bad name.” The anguish that plagues my mind is close to unbearable. I watch as Reese grimaces as she listens to my account.

“Then, he started shoving her. He’d call her a bitch or accuse her of fucking around. She had unexplainable bruises and scrapes. The day he hit her for the first time, it was my regular weekend. She didn’t call me in time and I showed up. She had a black eye and busted mouth. My rage was palpable. I shook as I cleaned her up.

“I begged her to come home with me on Sunday, but she wouldn’t. Sallie made me promise not to tell anyone, especially Mom and Dad. I despised the idea, knowing in my gut it was wrong. But I kept my word and made her promise to get away from him.” My hands tremble as the memories flood my mind, so vivid. Real.

“I made excuses to go visit her more often, spending every weekend I could with her. She told me he didn’t have the life we had growing up and he needed her to help him. It was like she was protecting him or thought she could fix him. I had a half day at school, so I showed up early one Friday. He was beating her when I walked in. Sallie scrambled to get between us.” Bile climbs up my throat, burning and gagging me as the images flash before me, haunting me to this day.

“I went after him, busted his eye open. He came at me, but I wasn’t Sallie. I fucking hit back. I busted the son of a bitch’s mouth, hitting him until Sallie screamed for me to stop. I turned my back on him to check on her. The next thing I know, he was hitting me with a short, homemade bat. She begged for him to leave, screaming I was a minor and the cops would arrest him.

“He left and for the last time, I prayed. Weeks passed, we healed physically, and I made every opportunity to stay with her. But I never told anyone what he was doing to her. I didn’t go to the police. I couldn’t tell my parents. I made a promise to her. I should’ve made her leave, to come home with me.” I pace the room, anger pulsing through me, turning bright red as my face flushes with heat.

“It was finals week for Sallie and I told myself I was telling as soon as it was over. I didn’t care if she hated me forever. I was getting her out of there. It was the only way I knew to protect her. I let her stay, Reese. I let that son of bitch murder her.”

“Oh, no. Walker.” Her face fills with pain, and she reaches for me, but I flinch away. I can’t even look at her. I’m not worthy of her.