Page 173 of Brighter Together

“I’m okay.”

I’m not.

But I’m standing.

Breathing.

Tommy turns towards Lee.

The change in him is frightening.

“You wanker.”

He starts forward.

I catch his arm.

“Tommy.”

He stops.

“Don’t. Please.” I say.

His chest rises hard beneath my hand.

“He hit you.”

“I know.”

“He fucking strangled you.”

“I know what he did.”

My voice shakes, but I keep hold of his arm.

“Don’t let him turn you into somebody you’re not.”

Tommy looks at me.

The rage in him doesn’t disappear.

But he stays beside me.

His hand comes up and cups the uninjured side of my face.

“Ella-Bella…”

“Watch out!” The shout comes from behind Tommy.

His head snaps towards Lee.

Something silver flashes.

A knife.

Everything happens too quickly.

Lee charges.