Page 48 of Gunner

Sighing, I look back towards Ink, not moving off Gunner because, well, his grip is tight, he isn't letting me go anywhere, and my traitorous heart jumps for joy while my body hums.

Seriously, let the man freaking grovel first!

Ink tilts his head while Mel takes a seat, and I raise a brow at him, making him clear his throat.

"Sophie. I need to know what to tell her. Word hasn't gotten back to her yet, and with her therapy sessions, I don't..."

He doesn't finish, but he doesn't have to, so I finish for him, "You don't know if she'll handle this very well."

He sighs and scrubs a hand through his hair. "You two are best friends and sisters, yet you haven't spoken to her in weeks."

I snort and shake my head. "And she hasn't spoken to me." He furrows his brows, "Not one call, not one text, nothing. She wants space from me, Ink, because she resents me." He goes to open his mouth to try and defend her thoughts, while Gunner holds me tighter. "No, don't go making excuses. She does, and that's her choice to feel that way, but I don't have to subject myself to more pain." He sighs, dropping his head. "I love her, Ink; she is my sister in my heart, but she no longer sees me as family; she hasn't since it finally sunk in that I was the last person to see her momma." He looks back up at me, his eyes showing pain for me, but I just shrug. "It's OK because I know she has you, she has her new family, and she doesn't need me anymore."

He shakes his head. "But what about you?"

I just shrug again and say, "I've got the baby." If I survive, but I don't say that, although by the glare Mel just sent me, she knows I thought it.

I feel Gunner tense underneath me, but it's Ink who says, "You are family too, Leah."

I sigh, "No, Ink, I'm not. I thought I was, but then the truth started to come out these past few months, and I realized I'm not, and that's okay too."

Gunner holds me tighter but doesn't disagree with me. He knows that's how I feel in my heart, so he knows he can't convince me otherwise. Ink shakes his head before looking down again, sighing deeply. He stands up and walks over to me, determination shining through his eyes. He bends down and kisses my head before he rasps,

"You are family. We fucked up, but not anymore; we'll just have to prove it to you."

He gives Gunner a nod before leaving.

"You are loved." I look towards Mel to see tears in her eyes, and I soften mine. "You are my friend, my family; remember that, ok?"

I give her a smile before she kisses my cheek and leaves the room too, as Gunner draws little circles with the tip of his finger on my bump. He kisses my head before placing his nose on top, inhaling my scent.

"We will get your forgiveness, Angel; I will win you over because my love for you will pull you back to me."

He sounds so convincing, yet the pain still shines in my heart with a blinding light.

How can he cure that?

Chapter 21

Gunner – Two months later

I tap my forefinger on my jean-clad leg, feeling jittery.

Fuck, I hope she isn't pissed we're here.

I keep my eyes on the stage, waiting for them to call my girl's name.

The past two months haven't been easy, to say the least. She still keeps me at arm's length despite my trying every single day, but she has started to call me Lucas, so baby steps.

I look to my left to see my parents both trying to find my girl in the sea of black caps and gowns with Doc and Ava while Mel and Annie grin and take photos because they've actually found her.

Dagger shakes his head while Axel chuckles, and I look towards the stage again when I hear her name being called.

"LEAH ASHLYN PARKER."

I grin wide when she starts to walk up the steps before we—the fucking rowdy bunch that we are—start cheering and whistling as she accepts her diploma. She looks our way in shock, and I can see the tears from here.

Fuck, I hope they're happy tears.