Page 107 of Here With Me

Not.

But I don't want to give him any room to find out the truth. Not about this.

It'll be a betrayal we can't come back from.

“You need to apologize,” I tell him. “To her brothers, too.”

“They kicked my ass! I'm not sayin' shit to them.”

I shoot him a pointed glare. “You put them in a position to protect their little sister.”

“They coulda minded their own business. Noah can take care of herself.” He nods to his groin, and I snort.

A warmth of pride fills me knowing that's true.

“I took a hit for you, too,” I remind him, smirking.

A small smile curls over his lips. “Shouldn't have tried to protect me.”

“Jase...” I say lowly. “I'll always protect you now.”

Even if that means protecting him from a truth that'd hurt him.

“You wanna come in for a beer?” he asks when I park in front of his apartment.

I throw my truck into park. “Yeah, I'd love to. But I can't stay too long since I'm judgin' tomorrow.”

“My boss is pissed I didn't get the booth set up. He sent someone else, but I know I won't be welcome to go now.”

I follow him to his door. “Give it a few days, then apologize and smooth things over. Noah seems like the forgivin' type.”

At least that's my hope.

“She is. Her brothers already hate me, so I'll never win them over.”

“I don't see why not. Y'all are rowdy and like throwin' punches.”

He scoffs, unlocking the door and going inside. “I reckon we need more than violence in common to stand each other. Don't exactly wanna have to dodge their fists every time I'm around.”

I crack up and nod in agreement as he leads me to the kitchen, then hands me a can from the fridge. “Sounds like every other twentysomething hotheaded boy I've met. Hell, I was one, too. Y'all will eventually grow out of it and make better choices.” I pop open the top. “Startin' with this cheap-ass beer.”

“Hey, I have a mortgage and bills now. Gotta be responsible and all that shit.”

Setting down my can, I take a few steps and pull Jase into my arms. I haven't hugged him like this since he was twelve years old, and although he's a twenty-four-year-old man now, he'll always be a kid to me. A boy who needs his dad, no matter his age.

At first, I worry I've crossed a line, but then he shifts and wraps his arms around me, too.

And it's the best feeling in the world.

I can do this. I can be here for him while we work through the abandonment issues and surrounding grief. We can get to know each other again, and hopefully, one day, the pain I've caused will subside.

“I love you, Jase. I know I have a lot of makin' up to do, but I'm all in if you'll let me.”

When I release my hold on him, Jase's eyes are bloodshot.

“I'd really like that, Dad.”

It's the first time he's called me Dad with admiration in his voice.