“What else is going on, Eric? It has to be more than that.” I asked as I brushed a tear from his cheek.
He was sobbing as he said, “I’m so sorry for that night, Lor. I’m so sorry for making ya’ll come back and get me. I’m so sorry for being drunk and gettin’ my best friend killed. My best friend, Lor.” I leaned over and hugged him, crying right along with him.
“Dec was like my family. And ya’ll were so happy and I ruined your happiness. Lor, I tried so damn hard to be like a father to the twins. I tried to make up for the horrible pain I caused ya’ll, but I could never do enough. I could never fix what I did.”
“Eric, it was an accident. It was just a terrible accident. If anyone is to blame, it’s me. I was driving, not you.” We were both sobbing and holding each other.
We let go and Eric said, “Lor, I never told you this. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Right after the accident, I pulled Dec out of the truck. He was still alive, Lor. He said something to me. He had me make a promise and I’ve screwed it up, so bad.”
“What? He was alive? Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you say anything to me, Eric? What did he say?” I was pleading.
“He asked me to take care of you and keep you safe. He asked me to make sure you found someone to love. He asked me to make sure you weren’t sad for him. Dec knew he wasn’t gonna make it, Lor. He knew what was happening. I promised him. And the way I treated you over Jaxon, I am ashamed. You deserve to be happy. That’s what Declan wanted.”
“I loved him with everything I had, Eric. He was my whole life and those babies were the only things that kept me going after the accident. Accidents happen. It wasn’t your fault, or mine. It was just life. He wasn’t meant to live past seventeen. I haven’t lived in so many years, Eric. I have been so lonely. And I’ve found someone who makes me happy and makes the kids happy. I love him, Eric.”
Eric grabbed my hand in his and said, “That’s why I’m here, Lor. I wanted to tell you I was an asshole. If he makes you happy, that’s all that matters. I love you and I love the kids. I will always be here for all of you.”
“Eric, you and Emma are my family and you always will be.”
“Dec wanted you to be happy, Lor. You do what you need to do to make sure you are. I will support you always. But if he hurts you again, I will have to kick his ass.” We laughed together, through our tears.
After that we sat for a long time sharing some of our favorite Declan memories. It was sad and happy at the same time. We both loved him so much. We needed this.
With everything that had just happened, I forgot all about my date with Jaxon, until I heard a knock at the door. I answered it and Jaxon wrapped me in his arms. Eric walked up behind us and Jaxon let go of me and stepped back.
Eric reached his hand out to Jaxon and said, “I was an asshole. Can we try to forget it or forgive?”
Jaxon looked at me and then back at Eric. He shook his hand. “I know you were just looking out for her. I just want you to know, I love her and the kids. I’m not going anywhere.”
Eric looked at me and said, “I know ya’ll love each other. I’m happy that you make her happy.” He leaned toward Jaxon and whispered, “But if you ever hurt her again, they’ll never find your body.” He slapped Jaxon on the back, gave me a hug, and said his goodbyes.
Jaxon said, “Well, that was interesting.”
“We needed to work some stuff out. This was never about you, Jaxon. He had a lot of guilt about Declan. We talked it out and I think he’s okay now.”
“I’m glad ya’ll talked about Declan. I think you both needed that.”
I wrapped my arms around him and said, “I love you, Jaxon. Thank you for loving me.” I leaned up and kissed him before we headed out to the truck.
He drove Uncle Jake’s truck since we were going out to the pond. He held my hand all the way there. I was sitting right next to him, but I felt like I couldn’t get close enough. I leaned in and kissed his neck.
“Now, don’t start that, or we won’t make it to the pond.” He gave me a sexy grin.
I started to scoot away. “Yes, sir.”
He grabbed my leg and pulled me back next to him. “I didn’t tell you to move, I just said stop kissing me.”
When we got to the pond he got out of the truck. “Wait here a sec, I have a little surprise planned.”
He walked around toward the back of the truck. I felt him jump up in the truck bed. I turned to watch him. “You just keep those pretty little eyes looking straight ahead. What part of surprise did you not understand?”
I laughed and turned back around.
I felt him jump out of the truck and then he was opening the truck door. He extended his hand out to me. “Your surprise is ready.”
I put my hand in his and he grabbed me in a big hug. We started back to the back of the truck.
