Page 25 of Hero Mine

Finn nodded, like he already knew. “And I see it in you, son.”

Bear set his beer down with a sharp clink, dragging a hand over his face. “I feel like I’m watching Joy drown,” he admitted roughly. “And I don’t know how to pull her back up.”

Finn let the silence settle between them for a moment before speaking. “She’s strong. You know that.”

“Shewasstrong.” Bear’s voice was hoarse. “Now she’s just…lost.”

Finn’s expression softened, something like understanding flashing in his eyes. “Then help her find her way back.”

Bear stared down at his beer, rolling the bottle between his hands. His dad’s words sat heavy in his chest, pressing against something he wasn’t sure he could name.

“I don’t know how. Trust me, I’ve wanted to do that,” he admitted, his voice quieter than he meant it to be. “She won’t let me in.”

Finn nodded as if he’d expected that answer. “Then don’t wait for permission.”

Bear’s brows furrowed, and Finn sighed. “Like all my kids, you’ve got good instincts. Trust them.”

He took a slow sip of his beer, setting it down before continuing. “Joy is strong. Independent. Fierce. But discovering her own vulnerability? It’s tearing her apart.” His gaze locked on Bear’s. “You don’t have to heal her. Youcan’theal her. But maybe you can help her find her strength again.”

Bear let that sit for a second, his jaw working as he processed it. Help her find her strength again. He wanted to—God, he wanted to. But what if he just kept pushing her further away?

“I have to figure out how to do that.”

Finn took another drag of his beer. “You will. Joy has always been special to you, even when you were both kids. I know that has morphed into something different as adults.”

Bear nodded. It was nothing less than the truth.

Finn shifted, rolling his shoulders like he was gearing up for something heavier. “Look, I don’t want to keep you all night. But before I go, I need to say something else.”

Bear arched a brow, waiting.

“Everybody, especially you and your mother, keeps worrying about Derek,” Finn said, voice even. “And you should. We all should. Your brother’s got a long road ahead.” A pause. “But don’t think for a second that means I’m not worried about you too.”

Bear exhaled sharply. “Dad?—”

Finn held up a hand. “Just because Joy’s and Derek’s struggles look bigger doesn’t mean yours don’t count. Whatever it is you’re hiding and not letting anybody in on.”

Bear thought of the scars that marred his back and shoulder. It wasn’t so much that he was hiding them or the IED explosion that could’ve taken his life two years ago. He just didn’t want to advertise them. Didn’t want his parents, or anybody, to worry.

Bear wasn’t like Derek or Joy… He didn’t wake up sweating, didn’t get lost in PTSD fog, didn’t have to fight off panic when someone touched him without warning.

Bear didn’t want to take up support others needed.

“Dad…”

Finn met Bear’s eyes, firm and unrelenting. “Even the strongest need someone to lean on.”

Bear’s throat went tight, but he forced a grin. “That your way of saying you want me to come over for Sunday dinner?”

Finn chuckled. “It wouldn’t kill you. You know you’re always welcome, regardless of whether you want to share what’s going on with you or not.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Bear hugged Finn as he stood to leave a few minutes later, his father’s words echoing in his mind long after the door closed.

Chapter8

Hours after his dad left, Bear lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, his body still but his mind a fucking battlefield. The old clock on the wall ticked loudly in the silence, marking the minutes he wasn’t sleeping. Wasn’t even close.