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Where her parents were concerned, she was admittedly weak. The guilt of causing them fear and sleepless nights was too much to handle, so she allowed them far too much control over her life so they would have some semblance of peace. Hence why a twenty-four-year-old woman followed her parents from the suburbs of Tampa to a little town in the mountains of Tennessee. Though, she had put her foot down on living with them. She may be a pushover where they were concerned, but she had a limit to her tolerance, and living with them was it.
They’d engaged in an epic showdown complete with hysterics from her mom, statistics of raped and murdered women from her dad, and snickers from her older brother who worked SWAT out of Knoxville.
“Him being a man makes it worse, honey,” her mother said, laying a soft hand on her daughter’s arm. “We just worry about you because we love you so much. If anything were to happen—” Her mother brought her closed fist to her mouth to smother a sob.
“Mom,” Holly said as she wrapped her arms around her mother. “I’m fine. Dad just added about ten deadbolts to my door. I’m on the second floor. I have pepper spray in my purse. The parking lot is well lit. My neighbor is very nice. I have Biscuit. You guys are exactly three point four miles away, and I have a direct in with local law enforcement.” She drew back and looked her mother straight in the eye before giving her father the same attention. “I’m safe, I’m happy, and I’m excited to start this new chapter in my life. Okay?”
Her mom sniffed. “All right.” Then she walked over to Holly’s dad who wrapped her in a gentle hug. “You’ll check him out, right, Doug?”
“Of course, Cyn.”
Holly ground her molars together. Why did she bother? It wasn’t as though they cared one single bit about her wants and needs. Especially when it came to the need for independence. It wasn’t easy, but Holly forced herself to remember a lack of trust in her wasn’t what fostered this behavior, but the trauma of actually having a daughter stolen from them in the worst way.
And once again, Holly caved. Didn’t stand up for herself. Let her parents walk all over her.
“Hey, think this is the last one. Where do you want this bitch?” her brother yelled from the front door.
“Daniel, language!” her mother said as she frowned at Holly’s older brother.
With a laugh, Holly called out, “What’s it say on the box?”
“Kitchen. Big surprise.”
“Hmm, I know you aren’t the smartest guy out there, but I’m pretty sure even you can figure this one out, big bro.”
“Holly Elizabeth!” It was her turn to be scolded, but she’d take it, because it broke the tension of moments ago.
“What?” she asked her mother with an innocent expression. Cynthia shook her head and walked out of the kitchen, followed closely by Doug. Probably off to plot the FBI investigation of her poor neighbor. Pretty much killed any chance of seeing the guy without his clothes on.
Holly sighed. So much for that fantasy coming to life. He’d been so yummy. Super tall and bulging with enormous muscles all over. The bald head and close-cropped beard did crazy things to her insides. As did all those delicious tattoos.
Danny lumbered into her bite-sized kitchen and set the box on the stove. “You’re funny, Hol. Just because we don’t live in the same house doesn’t mean I can’t put frogs in your bed still.” He grabbed the stretchy headband she’d donned to keep any stray hairs at bay and snapped it against her scalp.
“Ouch! You’re such a bully,” Holly said as she elbowed him in the gut.
Of course, that landed her in a headlock which was how their parents found them a few seconds later.
“Daniel, seriously? You’re a decorated police officer. Don’t you think you should be a little more mature?”
Holly almost laughed. The stories he’d regaled her with about the guys on his SWAT team were anything but mature. With six years on her, they’d had a love-hate relationship growing up. She and Joy would gang up on him, though he always managed to best the duo. Once Joy was killed, that all changed, and they’d grown much closer. Though she didn’t see him nearly as often as she’d like, they remained tight but never stopped giving each other shit. It was just part of their dynamic.
“Sorry, Mom,” he said as he rolled his eyes in Holly’s direction.
She just snickered.
“Okay, Holly,” Cynthia said, voice all business. “Keep putting us to work. What should I unpack next?”
Danny shot her a look that screamed “Please, no more!” which was pretty much the same way Holly felt. It was about four in the afternoon and they’d been working since seven. Enough was enough. Not only of lugging boxes but also of time spent with the parents.
