That hit everyone hard. Mason stared at the floor. Tessa began to cry super quietly.
“I didn’t tell you guys about the police academy because I didn’t want everyone treating me like I was just going to mess it up.”
I let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “And you figured I’d do that.”
“No,” he quickly added. “You’re the only person who wouldn’t.”
He swallowed hard. “You always used to tell me I could do anything if I just stopped pretending I didn’t give a crap.”
My throat felt like it was on fire. “I told you that because I didn’t want you turning out like your dad.”
The whole vibe in the room shifted.
Dean got tears in his eyes. He nodded like he’d been holding onto those words for years. “I know.”
He took another step closer. “I wanted to prove to you that I’m not him.”
Then his voice got super quiet, all that tough-guy act completely gone. “I just wanted to make you proud.”
I looked at his badge. It was catching the light. Real. Solid. I was still mad, but a lot of the anger just kind of melted away.
I reached out and touched the metal badge.
“You actually did this,” I whispered.
