A COWBOYS REDEMPTION

𝐖𝐘𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄

"B-Beau... please!" Mom gasped, struggling beneath his grip, her eyes pleading with him, with me, with anyone who could make it stop.

Beau just laughed, that cold, cruel laugh that still haunted me. "Fuck, I love the sound of you begging," he sneered, his grip tightening as if her suffering gave him life.

Panic surged through me. Mom's eyes were starting to flutter shut, her strength fading.

I glanced around desperately, looking for anything that could help, anything that could stop him.

My eyes landed on the baseball bat leaning against the wall—the one Mom and I used when we played ball together.

Without thinking, I lunged for it. I charged at Beau, swinging with every ounce of strength I had. The bat connected with his rib cage, and Beau groaned in pain, stumbling back a little. But his hands didn't leave Mom's neck.

He turned to me, his eyes blazing with rage. He didn't say a word—he didn't need to. He pulled his leg back and kicked me, the force sending me flying across the room. I hit the ground hard, the pain radiating through my body as I squirmed on the floor.

Through the haze of pain, I heard Mom's voice, weak and fragile. "W-Wyatt..."

I lifted my head, tears blurring my vision. She was smiling at me, a soft, sad smile that broke my heart.

"Mommy?" I choked out, crawling towards her.

"I-I l-love y-you," she whispered, her eyes dimming as they shut for the last time. Beau released her, and her body crumpled to the floor, lifeless and still.

"No!"

"Wyatt?" I jolted awake, my heart racing and my breath coming in quick gasps. I looked up seeing Mrs. Melanie standing over me, her hands gently cupping my face, worry all over her face

"You okay, honey?" she asked softly, her voice soothing. "You were screamin' in your sleep."

I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the nightmare that still clung to me for years.

I looked around, realizing I was still in the waiting room, surrounded by my friends and Milia's family.

I nodded, taking deep breaths to steady myself.

"I-I'm fine," I mumbled, though the tremor in my voice gave me away.

Mrs. Melanie smiled gently and sat down beside me, placing her hand over mine. "You poor thing," she said, her voice filled with compassion. "How've you been feeling? Seems like you haven't slept all week. Hell, you've barely eaten too."

I frowned, the weight of her words settling on my shoulders.

It had been a week since Milia was admitted to the hospital, hooked up to a breathing machine, her body fighting to stay alive while shutting down at times.

The fear for her life had been the only thing I worried about, leaving little room for sleep or food.

"Um... I just don't know if I can eat or sleep knowin' she's in that hospital, not even fully recovered," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mrs. Melanie let out a soft laugh and squeezed my hand. "You really love her, don't you?"

I forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, I do."

"Thank you, Wyatt," she said. "Thank you for showing her what it's like to be loved unconditionally and not manipulated."

"Of course," I said, my voice firmer now. "She deserves nothin' but love and happiness, and I want to give that to her."

"Well, seems like you already have," a voice said, drawing my attention. Mr. Joseph had taken a seat on my other side, his gaze steady and warm.

He looked at me and continued, "I'm not gonna lie, Wyatt.

I wasn't too sure about you at first. You seemed too good to be true, especially after Milia had just gotten out of that mess with Malakai.

" He shook his head, his expression darkening.

"That boy... he beat my baby girl, left her bruised and bloody.

We had no idea it was happening, and every day I think about it, I just wanna get my hands on him and kill him myself. "

I felt a surge of the same anger but kept it in check. "I would never do that to her," I promised, my voice steady. "No matter what."

Mr. Joseph patted my shoulder, his touch reassuring. "I know you wouldn't, Wyatt. You're a good man, but more importantly, you're perfect for my Milia."

His words filled me with warmth, and I smiled big, relieved to know they accepted me. "Family of Milia Zorell?" A doctor suddenly called out.

My head shot over him before we all rushed to him, hanging on to his every word. "She's stable for now," the doctor said. "We moved her to a more comfortable room. Unfortunately, she hasn't woken up yet, but we believe she will any day now."

Relief washed over the room, faces softening, breaths easing. The doctor continued, "You can see her now, but only two at a time."

As we made our way toward Milia's room, my heart pounded in my chest. I was scared to see her, afraid of the state she might be in. The doctor paused at a door. "Here we are," he said. "Two at a time, please."

I watched as Mr. and Mrs. Zorell went in first. Sienna gasped, turning to bury her face in Sawyor's chest. He held her tight as I stood frozen, staring at Milia lying there, lifeless, her leg propped up and broken. A tear rolled down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away.

Footsteps approached, and I glanced to the side to see Akhilles standing next to me, his arm in a cast and sling, his face covered in bandages. "You alright, bro?" he asked quietly.

"I've been better," I admitted, turning slightly toward him. "How about you?"

Akhilles shrugged. "Gotta find a new truck, and my arm's broken, so... I've been better too."

I chuckled softly, glancing at his sling. "It'll heal in no time, I promise."

"Hope so," he replied, and we both fell into a brief silence.

"Thank you, Akhilles," I said after a moment.

"For what?" he asked.

"For savin' her from that evil son of a bitch, Malakai."

He took a deep breath, his eyes softening. "Don't even mention it. She's your girl, which means she's my little sister. I know you'd do the same for Sienna, so I did the same for Milia."

"Yeah, I would," I agreed, nodding.

Akhilles grinned. "Besides, we're all gonna be one big happy connected family soon enough."

I had a feeling I knew what he meant but asked anyway. "How come?"

He laughed. "Might've gotten Sienna pregnant."

I turned to him, wide-eyed, and we both burst out laughing. I clapped him on the back. "That's my boy!"

"Thanks, bro," Akhilles said, grinning. "Means a lot."

I thought about Milia, about a future with her, and realized she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I wanted a family with her and kids someday. I wanted everything with her. I smiled at the thought before I turned to look back up at Akhilles.

"I'll be right back, brother," I said, a new thought coming into mind.

"Where you goin'?" Akhilles asked, curious.

"I've got somethin' I need to do," I replied. "I'll be back in an hour!"

??°

I wandered the streets, the evening night air wrapping around me as I searched for something special for Milia. I wanted her to wake up to something sweet, something that would make her smile even in this tough time.

As I roamed, my eyes caught sight of a candy shop with its bright, inviting display. A smile tugged at my lips, and I stepped inside, the sweet scent of chocolate and candy immediately hitting me.

My eyes scanned the shelves filled with colorful candies, but it was the large gummy heart in the back that caught my attention. It was perfect—bright, sweet, and something Milia would love. As I stood there, admiring it, an elderly man wearing a beanie and glasses stepped up beside me.

"Shoppin' for a special lady? Or guy?" he asked with a knowing smile.

I smiled back, feeling a bit of warmth in his friendliness. "Ah yes, yes... a very special lady."

The old man nodded, his eyes twinkling. "I remember bein' that young and in love... such a beautiful thing to experience."

"Are you shoppin' for anyone special?" I asked, curious.

He nodded again. "My wife. Been married thirty-two years, and she loves this place. Promised her I'd bring back her favorite chocolate."

I chuckled. "Gotta keep up with the promises."

"Yes, sir," he said with a grin. "Trust me, women don't get any less needy or moodier. If anythin', they get worse!"

I laughed. "Oh, trust me, I believe it."

Just then, the bell above the door chimed, signaling a new customer. I looked up and noticed a guy in a black hoodie. Something about him seemed familiar, and his eyes wandered around the shop before they landed on me. When our eyes locked, recognition hit me like a punch in the gut.

Malakai.

His locs were gone, replaced by a buzz cut, but it was him. His face grew paled when he recognized me, and he turned around immediately, heading for the door.

"Nice speakin' to you," I told the old man hurriedly. "I gotta go."

Without waiting for a reply, I bolted out of the store, my eyes locked on Malakai. "Come here, little bitch!" I shouted, adrenaline surging through me as I chased after him.

Malakai darted through the streets, hitting corners, trying to lose me. But I pushed myself to run faster, my heart pounding with each step. He burst into another store, and I followed without hesitation.

Inside, we weaved through aisles and displays. Malakai's foot then luckily got caught on a rack, and he stumbled, trying to scramble back up. I tackled him to the ground, my fists connecting with his face repeatedly as rage consumed me.

"I got you now," I growled, my voice low and dangerous.

People around us gasped and screamed, calling for help, but I didn't care. I grabbed Malakai by his jacket, yanking him up, and threw him into a nearby clothing rack. "You tried to murder my girlfriend and best friend!" I yelled, my blood boiling.

Malakai laughed, that same smug grin on his face. "Well, it was only supposed to be your girlfriend, but your best friend just got in the way."

That nonchalant response sent my anger spiraling. "Oh yeah?" I laughed, standing up. I picked up my foot before I stomped against his face, feeling the crunch beneath my foot. "How does that feel?"

Malakai screamed in pain, and I went in for another punch, but suddenly, I was tackled to the ground. "Get your ass on the ground!" a voice barked, and I knew it was the police.

They read me my rights as they forcefully pinned my hands behind my back. I rolled my eyes but didn't resist, my focus still on Malakai, who lay on the ground groaning.

As the officers led me away, I couldn't help but smile. I'd done what I needed for Milia, and that was all that mattered.