Free Blaze's Second Chance (The Sinclair Men) by Sam Crescent

haven’t seen him since.” Cassie let her bombshell out, and she walked straight past him into the house. The silence outside was deafening. Blaze knew the next three weeks could tear apart any form of family he ever had. He loved all of his family, and he’d hate to see it go.
    “Please, just leave it,” Molly said. Blaze looked at the woman who’d done her best to raise the boys who weren’t her own. She’d done a fantastic job. He thought about his time with her as a mother over the years. She’d never demanded he call her mum. The pictures of his own mother had remained in place. In fact his dad hadn’t allowed his wedding photo with Molly to be placed in any visible place.
    He glanced out at the lawn and saw everything in a new light, as if the blindfold had finally been taken off him. David stood in the middle as always. Chris and Trent on the one side glaring at the man who’d helped create them. Luke and John were on the other side with Molly. And Blaze stood on the same side as Chris and Trent. Is this what it had been like growing up?
    Molly forever trying to join the two families together. All the quick memories he had of his time growing up and his father with Molly. Not one major happy memory came to mind. His heart shattered for the young woman Molly had been. There weren’t many years between him and the woman who’d tried to raise him. About fourteen years . There were couples in the world with that age gap.
    Molly had lived the past twenty-five years always being and feeling like second best. A lump formed in his throat, and he forced the tears to remain at bay.
    “I can’t leave it, mum. We love you, and we want to see you happy,” Luke said.
    “I can make her happy,” David shouted.
    Blaze moved the short distance until he was standing in front of his father. “I think you need to take the time to understand what’s happening.” He turned to Molly. “I’m sorry if I’ve ever done anything to contribute to your pain.” He focussed on his father. “Mum died over twenty-five years ago. I loved her, and at first I missed her. That is a long time to hold onto someone. Molly isn’t second best. She’s an amazing woman and a person I’d be proud to call mum.” He hugged his dad. “Don’t keep her just because you’re afraid of being alone. Molly deserves someone who loves her.” He nodded at his dad and walked over to Molly. Blaze embraced the woman he’d always blanked. Tears were running down from her eyes. “I love you, mum.” He kissed her cheek and went in search of the woman he loved.
    He found her in her room packing a suitcase.
    “What are you doing?” he asked.
    “Getting the hell out of here. I didn’t sign on to be some referee or to listen to a family feud,” she said.
    Blaze watched as she folded items of clothing, and he glanced at the clock to make sure his son would still be asleep. He shut her door behind him.
    Within seconds he held her in his arms. “Let it out,” he said.
    “What?”
    “I know you, Cassie. Let the pain out. I’ve got you.” Blaze held her as the first wave of sobs came. Her tears called to the protective part of him. “That’s it. I’ve got you, and I won’t let go.”
    “Seeing your brother and that down there brought back that night,” she said the words between each sob. He carried her to the bed and held her.
    “Do you want to tell me about it?” he asked. She paused for a time, and Blaze didn’t think she’d confide in him.
    “My dad was a drunk. He’d come home and start cursing at mum. That’s what it started as, a few nasty comments about how she looked and how no one else would love her. One day he came home and started using his fists. This happened for a few years. My brother, Daryl, was eighteen and about to graduate. He let loose on dad. The fight was bloody. Anyway, Daryl left, and I haven’t seen him again.”
    The story was a short but horrid one.
    “What happened to your parents?” he asked, wanting