Page 130 of When a Soul Cries

“One night…”

She shook her head quickly.

“No. I can’t.”

“You don’t have to.”

A tear rolled down her cheek.

I didn’t move.

Didn’t reach.

Didn’t make her explain anything she didn’t want to explain.

Sol wiped the tear away with the heel of her palm.

“He raped me, Rome.”

Everything inside me went cold.

Then hot.

So fucking hot.

My fingers curled before I could stop them.

Images I didn’t want formed inside my head.

Sol scared.

Sol alone.

Some grown motherfucker—

I stood abruptly.

Sol flinched.

That tiny movement killed every bit of rage on my face.

I immediately opened my hands.

“I’m sorry.”

She stared up at me.

“I’m not mad at you,” I said quickly. “I’m not—”

“I know.”

“No.” My voice cracked slightly. “I don’t ever want you looking at me like you gotta brace yourself.”

Her face crumbled.

I sat back down.

Farther away this time.