Her hand slips behind my neck, her fingers threading through the hair there. “You showed up. You pulled them out. You protected them.”
“They don’t want to be around me.”
“They don’t know you yet.”
I open my eyes again.
“Then what if they do get to know me, and they still don’t want to be around me?”
Brooke doesn’t flinch. “Then we try again. And again. Until they understand who you really are.”
I don’t ask her who that is. I’m not sure she knows. I damn sure don’t.
Her lips brush mine. But there is nothing soft about the way I kiss her back. It isn’t about sex. It isn’t even about comfort. It is the only way I know how to come back to reality.
When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers again.
“You scared?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“Of me?”
“No.” She traces the line of my jaw with her knuckle. “Of losing you.”
She steps back before I can say anything else and glances toward the hallway. “We should make them something to eat. Or at least bring them water. Naomi’s probably trying, but…”
I nod.
Brooke touches my face one more time, then turns away.
I watch her go. Still tasting gunsmoke. Still carrying the guilt of my mother’s death.
But with her, I can pretend I am something better than what I thought I’d be.
Chapter 67
Brooke
Naomi and I lead the kids down the hallway of the house. Elise walks behind us stiffly, her jaw tight, her arms crossed. Ryan trails behind, clutching the strap of his backpack like it’s the only thing anchoring him. Neither of them has said much since we got here.
“Okay,” I keep my voice soft. “So this is your room. There’s another across the hall, whichever one you want to sleep in is fine. We’ve got extra hoodies and sweatpants. It’s nothing fancy, but they’re clean. Hopefully they’ll fit.”
Elise says nothing.
“If you need anything,” Naomi adds, standing beside me, “seriously, just ask. Food, blankets, toothpaste. Whatever.”
Still nothing. Elise glances around the room like she’s trying to find possible exits. Ryan sits slowly on the edge of the bed, his eyes distant.
“You’re safe now,” I add. “We promise.”
Elise blinks at me, but the rest of her face doesn’t move.
Naomi shifts uncomfortably.
“Well. We’ll give you guys a minute to get settled,” I force a small smile that no one returns.
We step back and leave them in the room, the door clicking shut behind us. As soon as we’re out of earshot, Naomi exhales like she’s been holding her breath since we left the car.
