Chapter 98
Chapter 98
I let go of the breath I was holding . My eyes opened to find a very emotional Rocky and an equally shocked Richard .
“ … I finally get to see both , my children , ” he said , not being able to mask the shock in his voice .
“ Both ? ” Rocky asked .
“ Well , isn’t this a joyous family reunion ! ” Mum chuckled from her bed .
I ignored her and kept staring at Rocky . He was standing there awkwardly , still glaring at Richard . My heart was beating so fast I was worried it would pop out of my chest .
“ Look at you . The last time I saw you , you were six years old and had just learned to ride a bike . That was what ? 10 or 11 years ago ? ” Richard took a few steps toward Rocky .
“ 22 years ago , actually , ” Rocky replied . Richard looked a little taken back by the harness in Rocky’s voice .
“ What do you mean , both kids ? ” Rocky asked and wiped his tears on the back of his sleeves . He wasn’t an emotional wreck like I was . If anyone could keep it together and ask the hard questions , it was Rocky .
“ I have two kids , Richard . Rosalie and you . ” Richard’s gaze fell on me before going back to Rocky .
Taylor gasped and covered her mouth . The shock was written all over her face . Her eyes were the size of saucers . Rocky turned around to look at me . His eyes were soft and filled with emotions I couldn’t figure out . Was he mad at me ? I was part of the reason his dad left him . He had every right to be angry . My throat went dry , and I felt like a fish out of water, struggling to breathe .
Slowly a small smile appeared on his face . He walked over to me , his smile growing with every step . I felt Blake’s arms loosen around me a little .
“ You and I have always had a special relationship . I always felt a connection to you and never understood what it was . Everything makes a lot more sense now . ” he said , and that small smile turned into a full – blown grin .
I reached out , and he immediately engulfed me in a big hug . Rocky always silently filled in those big brother roles in my life . We had a fun banter , but when I needed someone to talk to or encourage me, he was always there . I remembered blowing out my birthday candles on my 18th birthday and wishing he was my real brother .
of my I buried my face into Rocky’s chest and let my tears pour out . Rocky gently stroked my hair , and he shushed me . I felt him rest his chin on the top head . He held me tightly , and I remembered all the times he had hugged me when I was having a meltdown . All the times he had stood by me during my difficult times .
“ You two have no idea how happy it makes me to see the two of you like that . I can’t believe you both already know each other so well . ” Richard spoke from behind us , interrupting the moment we were having .
Rocky sighed , and his arms loosened . He held me at arm’s length , looking at me intensely . There was still this emotion playing on his face that I couldn’t understand .
“ I’ll deal with him , ya ? ” He said , wiping the tears from my face . I nodded . I was a wreck and had no intention to talk to Richard .
He looked behind me , and suddenly another pair of hands wrapped around me . I knew it was Blake the moment his skin touched mine . He pulled me into his chest and supported my weight , holding me in place .
uched
“ Please stop with your bullshit . Twenty – two years ago , you packed and left . No note to say why you were going or where you were going . I watched my mother work three jobs to support us . I watched her cry herself to sleep . I watched her blame herself for the ruined relationship . I watched her break apart but still hold it together for me . She always said that you were a good man , that you would come back for us . When I turned 21 , I finally demanded to know what had happened , and mum told me . Even after everything you had done , that woman still spoke highly of you . Like it wasn’t your fault ! ”
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