Beau went still in a terrifying sort of way.
The air seemed to be sucked from the room as his fingers slowly curled around my engagement ring and wedding band before his agony and denial burst from him. Filling the room and amplifying my own anguish. After an eternity in our suffering, his stare lifted to meet mine, eyes glassy with tears just as a couple fell, slipping down his horrified face.
“Who let me come back to Amber?” Peter called out on a groan, making me jerk back.
I hadn’t even heard the front door open.
His eyes widened when he stepped fully into the tension-filled kitchen, a low whistle leaving him. “Your parents are right behind me,” he warned softly as he turned back around and left.
I stepped away from Beau and glanced around, wiping at my cheeks and surprised to find them wet. Feeling frantic and out of sorts and sure the kitchen must have looked the same. But it was just as I’d left it.
Once I had the coffee pot and kettle started, I turned to go greet everyone and found Beau standing under the archway that led out to the entryway. Hand pressed to his chest again and head slowly shaking as he glanced back at me.
Letting his hand fall, a mixture of a hushed laugh and a cry that was pure pain escaped him. “Every last breath,” he whispered, the words strained. “And then long after.”
I watched him go, trembling from the sobs moving through my body and tearing at my soul.
Oh God.
What have I done?
What have I done?
“Beau.”
I stopped at my father-in-law’s voice, rocking back when my body desperately wanted to get farther than the dozen-or-so feet I’d made it past the porch of my house. To get to my truck and get out of there before the night could get worse.
If it could get worse.
Lifting my head, I glanced over to where he was saying something to my mother-in-law as she headed into the house, waving at me with a saddened expression as she did.
I offered a halfhearted wave back, then watched my father-in-law start my way.
“You going?” he asked as he neared, keeping his voice soft so it wouldn’t carry.
I nodded, unable to respond when this time seemed so much more final.
Because Savannah had tried separating us in so many ways in one conversation. From claiming I had nothing to do with what was happening in our business to putting her wedding and engagement rings in my hand and saying I was, in fact, losing her.
He clicked his tongue and inhaled slowly. “We didn’t talk much after we arrived because the kids were awake. Savannah told Christi and me that they don’t know anything’s going on.”
“Right,” I choked out and wanted to dig a hole for myself when I realized he knew what happened.
At least, he knew Savannah’s side . . . Madison’s side.
He turned and glanced at the house before walking away from it, nodding for me to follow. “You should know, Savannah called us after that first day. Told us about the fight with your brother and what was said.”
My head slanted. “Jason—”
He held up a hand. “She called us again after Hunter told her what really happened between you and Madison.” He stopped walking once we were halfway down the driveway and turned to look at me, heaving a slow sigh. “Beau, I misjudged you greatly when you were younger. Christi and I both did, and we’re sorry for that.”
“I know, sir.” They’d apologized to me for years; he didn’t need to continue. I was the one who needed to be apologizing.
But the person who deserved every apology and explanation wouldn’t talk to me.
“We’ve watched you grow up, caring for our daughter along the way. We’ve seen you at your best and worst, and even at your worst, we’re damn lucky to have you as our son-in-law.”
Fuck.
My jaw ached from the strain I put on it to hold back the emotions that were already at the front of everything else from what had just gone down with Savannah.
“We were deeply saddened when we got that first call, but Christi and I knew something wasn’t right.” His shoulders lifted. “Cheating happens . . . however sad it is, it’s true. Think it says a lot about your character that we knew you wouldn’t have.”
“Jason, I—” I began, choking over my words, my head shaking. “I appreciate that, but I don’t know what to do. There’s so much she doesn’t know, and I can’t . . . I can’t lose her.”
“You won’t,” he said confidently, but the rings in my hand felt like they were burning me. “You made some mistakes, I won’t tell you that you didn’t. But everyone makes mistakes, and couples work through them. Come out stronger for them.”
“What if we can’t?”
He gave me a sad smile. “I don’t believe that. Not the two of you.”
“What if she won’t?”
For a long time, Jason just stood there, seeming to think over my question and analyzing the desperation in my tone. After a while, he carefully reached out and put a hand on my shoulder, encouragement and a hint of amusement on his face when not one damn thing about my life was amusing.
“At one point, long, long ago, I would’ve given anything for my daughter to give up on you. Because she didn’t, I was shown just how wrong I was and how wrong people can be about a person. I also lucked out in the son-in-law department and got some damn cute grandkids out of it.”
My chin trembled and I dropped my head, my eyes closing tight against the burning there.
“Now, I’m not much of a prayer, but I’ll be praying that my daughter will be able to see through the hurt this has caused and find forgiveness so she won’t give up on you.”
I nodded, the movement sharp and rigid as I struggled to thank him—to say anything—but the rock lodged in my throat prevented it.
“It’s gonna be okay,” he said, letting his hand fall from my shoulder. “Speed bumps are hard to get over in marriages. Mountains are harder.”
“I never wanted to hurt her,” I finally managed to say, words strangled.
“Oh.” He tapped his hand on his chest a few times, just above his heart. “I know, son.” Taking a step away, he gestured toward the house. “When will you be back?”
“After work tomorrow.”
He offered a small smile. “Looking forward to it. I’ll watch after our girl until then.”
“Jason, thank you.” My mouth parted as words failed me for a moment. “I don’t deserve your kindness after what I did.”
A stunned breath left him and, after a second, he reclaimed his step. “I remember a very determined, very confident boy who remained unnervingly polite, despite the horrible things we said to him for years.” He lifted his brows meaningfully. “You made an honest mistake, Beau. You made a worse one by trying to cover it, but from what I gather, you weren’t the only party in on it. As for the fight with your brother, well . . .” He slid his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “You know how I’ve always felt about your fighting. However, when it’s manifested from an instinct to protect your family from any kind of hurt?” He took a few steps back, shrugging again as he said, “I think I might just understand that.”