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I sniff and nod, biting my lips together and glancing at Mick, who is huffing at the end of the bed and shooting daggers at Liam. She’s pacing back and forth like a caged tiger, and I can tell she wants to unleash a little hell-fury on Liam for keeping my secret. She probably wants to go a little nuts at me too.
“I’m sorry.” I say the words so quietly that only Liam can hear them.
“You don’t have to say that,” he murmurs, standing up and pointing at Mick. “Be nice.”
“I’m always nice!” she snaps just as Ethan appears in the doorway.
He snickers and starts to laugh, but the sound is quickly cut off when she whips around to glare at him. Pinching his nose, he fails to smother his laughter but manages to bring it under control when Mick growls in her throat. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he gives her an “I’ll be good” expression before casting his gaze to me.
Aw crap. Ethan knows too. I can tell by the look in his eyes, that pained sympathy, the way his lips are pulling into a frown.
Shit. Shit, shit!
Everyone in this rooms knows. I want this plush mattress to devour me so I don’t have to face whatever they’re going to say.
My stomach clenches as Mikayla pads around the bed to stand beside me. She perches on the edge, resting her hand on my knee while Liam’s soft voice filters into the room. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s not your fault, remember?”
Mick glances at him, then back at me before letting out a little whimper and leaning in for a hug.
“Gently,” Liam warns.
My best friend flinches, pulling back, her lips parting with horror. Whatever she’s imagining is probably worse than what it is, so I close my eyes with a soft sigh and unfurl myself, lifting the edge of my shirt once my legs are straight.
Her gasp makes me wince, and I quickly lower it. “I’m fine,” I try to reassure her, but she reaches for my shirt again, carefully lifting the fabric and getting another look.
I hear Ethan hiss, and I’m too afraid to look.
But then I can’t help myself, and what I see is exactly what Liam showed me yesterday. He’s hurting for me, but he’s also furious.
Not at you. At Theo. At Matt.
I force myself to remember the facts. What happened to me was unfair. Unjust. Theo and Matt are asshole bastards who I never have to see again.
You’re safe here.
These men won’t hurt you.
I didn’t think Theo would ever hurt me either. The same fear rises, but then Mick’s tiny fingers are curling around my hands, gently nudging them apart so she can pull me off the bed.
“You have to tell me everything.” Her tone is a soft coo… that leaves no room for argument.
I take her hand with a sigh and let her help me off the bed.
“I need to borrow your car.” She glances at Ethan.
He stands tall, blocking the doorway for a second, his face the picture of concern. “Where are you going?”
“Ice cream. We’re going to need large amounts of sugar to get through this.”
I can’t help a watery laugh. The matter-of-fact way Mikayla talks makes my heart squeeze and then expand. I love my best friend so freaking much.
Liam winks at me, and my smile grows a little before Mikayla is tugging me out the door.
“Take care.” Ethan brushes his fingers lightly down her arm, then turns his kind smile to me.
I nod and move past him, my stomach jittery as I trail Mick down the stairs and put my jacket and boots on.
We find an ice cream parlor ten minutes down the road, and thankfully it’s not too busy. The jukebox is playing “Blue Suede Shoes” as we walk across the checkered floor. It’s like stepping back in time, and I suddenly feel like I should be dressed in a poodle skirt and bobby socks with my hair up in a swinging ponytail.
