Me:Soph. Come to Maine. Please? You can be my roomie and we need to let Ryder handle this. Let Ryder in.
Sophia:I’ve got this, Aubs. Don’t worry about me. Focus on that magic dick with the magic tongue you’ve got. >
Me:You know how hard I’m rolling my eyes at you, right?
Sophia:I do, and I know that it’s done with love. >
Me:Okay. Text me tomorrow please? Maybe we can video call for Lily?
Sophia:You just want to screenshot my new bruises.
Me:It’s the only way he won’t find the photos. I’ve got the album ready whenever you need to use it. Call. Ryder.
Sophia:I love you. Gotta go.
Me:Love you too.
Whether I think I can trust Ryder or not, she can. He’d scorch the Earth to protect her from everything her father does. And the fact that she won’t let him help her now, kills him. Every time I see him with them, you can see his fists balled at his side, ready to strike given the opportunity.
I add a calendar reminder to video call her tomorrow evening with Lily.
The familiar bumpy road takes over the truck and tests its suspension system.
“Nothing like knowing your home.” I laugh.
“It’s why we all drive trucks.” He chuckles back at me, putting the truck in park in front of my house. “You think we can get her in her bed without waking her up?”
Looking in the backseat, I find Lily with her head slumped forward, snoring, and a little drool dripping out of her mouth.
“I think our chances are good.” I wink.
“I’ll get her out, then come back for bags.”
Before I can argue with him, he’s out of the truck and already getting her out of her seat. But, I won’t listen.
Running over, I get the door opened for Cooper and then turn to go grab the bags.
That’s when something catches my eye.
A large envelope sitting on my floor. Familiar handwriting is on the outside.
Cold sweat breaks out over my body as I stand in the doorway, staring at the envelope on my floor.
Cooper’s footsteps sound. “Okay, she made it to bed and only opened her eyes for a second.”
I kick the envelope back, sliding it under the door and into the corner of the room. He can’t see that this mess is still following me.
“Something is wrong.”
“Nope. Nothing.” I swallow hard.
“Aubrey. What is that?” He points behind me.
“I don’t know.” At least I can answer honestly. “It was just here when we got home. I didn’t look at it yet.”
“Why are you hiding it?”
My chest rises and falls rapidly. This is where he leaves me. When he sees what a disaster my life is. When he realizes that they found me and I’m not even safe here anymore.
