StellaMy mind travels as fast as my mom's SUV as we make our way back to Laurel Springs. I never expected any of these events to happen when I woke up this morning. That's how life goes, though, doesn't it? Just when you think everything is perfect and you feel like you've got your shit together, something throws you for a loop.Tears drip from my eyes again and I growl. "What the fuck? When are they going to stop?"The medical professional in me knows it's delayed reaction. I'm coming down from the adrenaline and the shock, but it's really starting to piss me off. I'm still wiping moisture from my cheeks as we hit the Laurel Springs city limits.Menace slows down as we reach the vet's office, and I follow suit, parking in a spot next to my uncle's vehicle. When I get out, Menace motions me over."You need anything, you let one of us know, okay?""Got it." I nod, knowing that this brotherhood is more of a family than most blood families are. "Right now I just want to go ch

Renegade"Thanks for coming over and helping, Dad." Belle kisses me on the cheek a she grabs her purse. "He's asleep right now because he just took some pain medication, but he should be waking up soon. I really appreciate this so I can go with Mom," she tells me as she puts a jacket on, hooking the purse crossways over her body.Rambo comes to us, putting his paw up for her. She leans down, kissing him on the muzzle, before she stands up. "He might need to go out here in a few, but he'll let you know." She pulls her hair out from under the collar. "If you need anything, just give me a call.""I got this," I remind her that I'm the adult and she's the child. "I know, I just feel bad leaving him here, but this is tradition and Mom's birthday."Don't I know it? Since she's been old enough to enjoy it, Whitney's taken Stelle over me, and I can't even be mad about it. These two love their football and their time together. "He'll be fine, go or you're gonna be late."She hugs m

Stella"Rambo, stop it!" I laugh as he grabs at his tug toy. I'm not trying to play with him, I'm trying to clean up the living room.Since I started school full-time things have been a little on the crazy side. Unofficially I've moved in with Ransom, and Kelsea's okay with that. We still see each other at work. She's spending more time doing things independently and I have a feeling it's driving Nick crazy, but he hasn't said anything to me yet. I'm waiting, I'm not sure how long I'll be waiting for, but I know at some point my brother's going to get his head out of his ass. Because Ransom's been hurt and hasn't really been able to clean much, and I've been doing homework more than I care to admit, this house has become a mess. Today I had two classes, no homework, and I wasn't scheduled for the clinic. Pretty quickly I decided I was going to clean this place up. Only Rambo is making it hard as hell."Dude." I give him a stern look. "I'm so glad you're feeling better and that

Renegade"I know the two of you are wondering why I've called you here today," I sigh as I look at both of my kids. "What's the deal, Dad?" Belle asks as she sits on the couch next to Nick, her legs tucked up underneath her. She looks like she doesn't have a care in the world. And right now, she shouldn't. Ransom is recovering, Rambo is fine, but I've got an issue I need to discuss with the both of them."This is serious," I start out. "I told your mom I was having this conversation with you both, and she left so that we could have it in private.""Now I'm starting to get nervous," Belle starts fidgeting with her hair, a nervous habit she's had since she was a kid."I'm just gonna come out and say it. I'm disappointed." I look at both of them. "I know one of you lied to me," I look at Belle, and like always, she looks guilty before I even start. She knows what I'm pissed about. "And I have a feeling the other one is too." I level my gaze on Nick."Dad, we never meant to hu

StellaOne Year LaterBlue lights are flashing in my rearview and I have no idea what I've done wrong. Even though it's only six at night, I've just pulled a twelve-hour shift at the hospital, and I'm tired after staying up late last night studying. Only one more semester to go, thanks to doing summer school and testing out of some classes thanks to my medical assisting degree. But this semester is kicking my ass. I'm more tired than normal, and I'm taking things a bit too seriously. Which is why I feel tears well up in my eyes as I see the flashing lights of the Laurel Springs Police Department Charger.I have tears because I know that this isn't Ransom and I miss him so much. We've been ships passing in the night for the last two weeks, and all I want is a hug. His arms wrapped tightly around me, and him promising me that all this hard work will be worth it."Do you know how fast you were going back there?"Menace is leaning into the window I rolled down, but I don't rememb