Page 122 of From the Wreckage

At one point, she catches me staring. Her cheeks flush, and she hides behind her glass of water.

Grayson notices, of course. He sets down his fork, leveling me with a look that could pin a man to the wall. “If you’re gonna sit at my table, Everett, you better eat. Not just sit there making moon eyes at my daughter.”

Bri gasps, mortified. “Dad!”

But I can’t stop the laugh that rumbles out of me, low and honest. I scoop up a forkful of potatoes and take a bite, still looking at her. “Yes, sir.”

Grayson shakes his head, muttering something about “kids these days,” but when I glance at him again, there’s no fire in his eyes. Just a kind of resigned acceptance.

And for the first time in forever, I let myself believe that maybe this is the start of something whole again.

After dinner,Bri gathers a few plates and turns to her dad. “Want some help with cleanup?”

He waves a hand, already stacking the dishes. “No, I got it. You two kids have fun.”

A faint blush warms her cheeks as she glances at me. “Want to sit outside?”

I don’t hesitate. “Yeah.”

On the way to the door, I grab the blanket draped across the couch and sling my leather jacket over my arm.

Outside, the night air is crisp, carrying the scent of pine and the lake. I settle into one of the Adirondack chairs, then tug her into my lap, sliding my jacket on her, and wrapping the blanket around her legs.

She tilts her head, her eyes shining in the dim porch light. “Aren’t you going to be cold?”

I press a kiss to the crown of her head, breathing her in. “No, angel. I’ve got you here keeping me warm.”

She relaxes against me, and for a few minutes, we sit in silence, watching the lake. The moonlight dances over the rippling water, and the dock creaks faintly with the rhythm of the waves.

Then she shifts, looking over her shoulder at me, her voice soft. “I told Dad… what happened.”

Concern cuts through me instantly. I shift her on my lap, needing to see her face. “How’d he take it?”

She exhales shakily. “Well… after the shock—since I just blurted it out—he was upset. Pissed at… him. But he doesn’t think it’s my fault.”

“’Cause it’s not,” I say fiercely.

She nods, and for the first time, I see her actually believe it, even if just a little. “He wants to kill Joey.”

Every muscle in my body locks tight, fury burning hot and immediate. My voice is low and lethal. “So do I.”

Her hand flies to my chest, her eyes pleading. “Please… don’t. I couldn’t…” She blinks rapidly, fighting tears. “I can’t lose you. Not again. Not after I just got you back.”

I grip her hand, pressing it against my heart. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” I lift her hand, kissing her knuckles, holding her gaze.

Something in her melts, and she collapses against me, letting me hold her. The silence that falls is different this time—notheavy but comforting. We stare out at the dark lake, the gentle lap of the waves filling the silent night air.

I tilt my head back, staring at the scatter of stars above us.

For the first time since the wreck that stole everything from me, I actually believe I’ve been given a second chance. That I’m not broken like I thought.

Her voice cuts through the quiet, soft but certain. “You’re not.”

I lower my head, searching her face. “I’m not what?”

She gazes up at me, love shimmering in her hazel eyes. “You’re not too damaged. Too broken to give or receive love.”

For a long beat, all I can do is stare at her, my chest aching with a fullness I thought I’d never feel again.