“Other complaints. About Evan. Apparently, you’re not the first.”
That stops me cold. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll let her explain. Can she come by this afternoon?”
I look at Dex, who nods. “Okay.”
After Jessica hangs up, I just sit there, processing. Other complaints. Other women who dealt with Evan’s version of love and control.
“Hey,” Dex sits beside me. “You’re doing that thing where you disappear inside your head.”
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
“How many other people he’s hurt. How long this has been going on.”
“That’s not your fault.”
“Isn’t it? I stayed with him. I let him?—”
“Stop.” His voice is firm but not harsh. “You survived. You got out. You protected your kids. That’s what matters.”
Before I can argue, Tyson appears in the living room doorway.
“Mom? Can we order pizza for lunch? I don’t think you should cook today.”
Smart kid.
“Sure, buddy. What kind do you want?”
“The kind with everything on it. And can Coach Dex stay?”
“If he wants to.”
Tyson looks at Dex hopefully. “Do you want to?”
“Yeah, I want to.”
“Good. Because I have questions about that goal you scored against Vancouver.”
And just like that, we’re talking about hockey instead of protective orders and Internal Affairs investigations. Normal conversation in an abnormal day.
My phone buzzes again.
Bringing wine and Chinese food at 6. No arguments.
I show the text to Dex. “Apparently we’re having company for dinner.”
“Good. You shouldn’t be alone tonight.”
“I’m not alone. You’re here.”
“I meant after the detective leaves. After all the official stuff is done and you have time to actually think about what happened.”
He’s right. I’ve been moving from crisis to crisis, handling each thing as it comes up. But eventually, there won’t be another phone call or meeting or decision to make. Eventually, I’ll have to sit with what Evan did and what it means.
“Will you stay?” I ask. “Tonight?”
