I slam the door behind me, rattling the frame on the way out, and get into my truck. I take a few deep breaths after I shut the door and stare up at the trailer, vowing to myself that I will get Trevor out of this situation, whatever it takes. I have money, and I’m not afraid to use it to help him get out and get safe. I’ll sink the whole trust fund if it means those kids have a safe place to lay their heads every night.
I stare at my hand, the knuckles raw and bloodied from his nose. The sound of his nose crunching is a beautiful melody replaying in my head. I never liked talking with my fists—knowing I tower over most people by height and weight has always helped keep me from needing them.
I drive the side streets back to school, needing more time to calm down than the highway would have left me. The morning traffic has finally died down, with most people already at work, giving me time to center myself.
I pull up to school when a text from Avery flashes on my phone in the cup holder.
Pretty Girl
I miss you
It’s amazing that after what just happened, I’m able toget a smile on my face, but Avery has always been that for me. She centers me. No matter what is going on in life, she is always able to make everything else feel inconsequential. I let the rage flow out of me as I stare at her name on my screen. I know I need to tell her what happened. We agreed on no more secrets, but how do I even explain what I’ve done?
Me
I miss you. How is work, pretty girl?
I see the bubbles immediately and sit back in my truck while I wait for her response. I already know I have a lot of explaining to do once I get inside, and I’m hoping to drag that out a little bit.
Pretty Girl
Ugh, busy already. But I will be at your place by 5:30 How’s work for you?
I chuckle and feel the ghost of her lips with the kiss she sends at the end.
Me
I’ll explain later. Can’t wait to see you.
I slip my phone in my pocket and head into the school, trepidation in every step.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
avery
When Did You Stop Loving Me? – LANY
Idon’t think as I launch myself out of my car. I slam the door shut and sprint toward those big arms opening for me. Kane stands in front of the door in a blue T-shirt and sweats, and the second I reach him, I launch myself into his arms. He catches me easily, wrapping those big, strong arms around me so tightly it feels like he’s holding on to me as if I’m his lifeline.
Today felt like an eternity had passed, even though I woke up in his arms this morning. I had rolled toward him as the sun barely peeked through the curtains, illuminating the room just enough for me to study the outline of his face.
I know we have a lot to talk about and even more to figure out, but standing here with his arms around me, my heart calms for the first time all day. Last night felt so much like a dream that I almost convinced myself it was one. I thought I was hallucinating when I opened my door and saw him standing there, drenched from the rain, looking at me with so much sorrow in his eyes. Everythingafter that felt like a fever dream, like I was finally hearing every word I had wanted to hear for the past three months.
We stand there wrapped in each other for a couple of minutes, both of us savoring how it feels to be like this again. The days we lost and the words we forgot fall away as we hold on to each other, breathing in sync.
I pull back just as he does, his hand coming up to brush my hair away from my face while the other stays firm on my back, keeping me plastered to his front.
He looks at me with a soft expression, a smile so small someone else might miss it. But there is little I miss when it comes to Kane.
“How was your day, pretty girl?” He places a soft kiss on my lips, and I close my eyes, savoring the feel of them on mine.
When he pulls back, I say, “Too long. How was yours?”
“Why don’t we go inside?” He lets me go only long enough to grab my hand and pull me in after him. My hackles rise at his ominous answer.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I follow him inside, the scent of something hearty hitting my nose and making my stomach growl. Kane glances back at me with a smirk as we cross the threshold into the living room. The open concept leads straight into the kitchen, with a small table to the left for keys and mail. The living room stretches ahead, and the bedrooms sit down the dark, quiet hallway to the left, letting me know Marcus must be out.
“Did you forget to eat again?” He pulls me over to the island, then goes back to prepping a salad he must have started before I arrived.
