Free Fire and Ice: Rekindled (The Fire and Ice Series Book 2) by Kiara Delaney

Kellan's
letter I had stolen.

 
    I still haven't read the letter...maybe out of fear? Guilt,
or shame? Maybe all of the above. I'd thought about ripping it up and throwing
it in the garbage dozens of times, but I wasn't sure which was more
disrespectful to Jordan; keeping it, or pitching it. What I did know was that taking it was the
equivalent of robbing his grave. I've been conflicted every day since I held
that letter in my hands.

 
    But I'm so furious right now that I have the overwhelming
urge to find out what's in it. It's probably some weak attempt by Kellan to rid
himself of his own guilty conscience, and will most likely only make me
angrier. But I need to see it with my own eyes. I need to finally put the past
behind me and get on with my life. I refuse to let Kellan get to me any longer.
For once, I plan on listening to Georgia, and thumbing my nose at the jerk.

 
    Letting my purse and apron fall to the floor, I cautiously
walked towards the bedroom door, and gently pushed it open. My heart rate began
to speed up as I opened the drawer on the nightstand, and pulled the letter out
with shaky hands. I inhaled a deep breath, slid the letter from its envelope,
and slowly unfolded it. Nervously, I began to scan the letter. It read:

 
    Jord,

 
    I guess this really is good-bye, brother. I know
you probably hated me for what I did to you, and how I left you hanging. I
don't blame you...I hated myself for a long time- still do at times. But I
never hated you, brother. I wish I could have had the chance to say this to you
in person, to ask for your forgiveness, to express how I really feel. You were
always there for me, as my best friend, no matter how many times I fucked up.

 
    When the shit hit the fan with Hailey, I bailed,
thinking only of myself, as usual. Had I been here when you needed back up with
those two fuckers, you wouldn't be gone today. I'd have put the cocksuckers in
the ground myself. I know what it feels like to need to stand up for your
woman. You did what you had to do, but unfortunately, you got the shit end of
the stick. Life can be sick and twisted...nobody knows that better than me.

 
    Jord...your secret's safe with me. Hailey
doesn't need anymore shit on her conscience. If she knew the fight with those
scumbags was over her, she'd never forgive herself. You did what any decent
man, what any self-respecting husband would have done if some dick wads were
shooting their mouths off about his wife. I only wish I could have been here to
protect you, but life is a bitch, and we can't go back.

 
    Just know the fuckers are gonna pay, one way or
another- I'll make sure of it, even if I have to do it myself.

 
    Goddamn, Jord, no matter what happened between
us in the past, we could have fixed this shit!

 
    Jesus, I've said more to you in this letter,
than I've said to you in my whole life. But for all the things you did for me,
this is the only thing I have to offer you. I'm a sorry sonofabitch and this
letter will never be enough to take back all the pain I caused. But I'll always
carry a piece of you...always. Meet you on the other side, bro.

 
    As I sunk to the floor, reading and re-reading the letter
over and over again, with tears streaming down my hot cheeks, reality punched
me in the gut, and I felt like I was going to be sick.

 
    ******

 
    Georgia

 
    Why I decided to stick around today and help out Douche
Canoe is beyond me. I had cancelled my plans to have lunch with Eve today in
hopes of earning a little extra cash so that I could take her to a nice dinner
on my next night off instead. Yeah right. I'd had four measly tables the whole
afternoon, leaving me with nothing but lousy tips and aching feet. At this
rate, I wouldn't be able to wear heels for a week. Which reminds me, I still have to work my regular shift
tonight. Ugh. Thankfully, my last table had just cleared out and our evening
waitress, Joni, had shown up a few minutes ago, rescuing my poor feet