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“So, what exactly isn’t simple? What aren’t you saying, Ky?” Izzie asked.
I had to tell her. Noteverything, but she deserved to know what was happening with her brother. Especially after she’d just heard my conversation with Melissa.
I took a deep breath, then looked around to make sure no one I recognized was here before I spoke.
“Three of Ian’s teammates raped me a little over two years ago,” I whispered.
Her eyes went wide, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Shit, Ky. I’m so sorry. I didn’t…I didn’t know.”
I managed half a smile. “No one did. They…they burned me. Bit me so hard I have scars. And then when it was over, one of them put a knife to my throat and threatened to kill me if I talked. I told Melissa the next morning, and she got me some supplies so I could treat my wounds at home, but I never told another soul until I started dating Ian.”
“That’s what…” she trailed off. “Jesus. You told him the night you came over to meet the family, didn’t you? He was a fucking wreck when he got back inside after he walked you to your car, but he wouldn’t tell me what was wrong.”
I nodded. “Yeah. Not the best timing, but I ended up having a panic attack and he deserved to know why, so I told him. The only other person besides the three of you who knows anything at all is Braden. But, um…I think the guys who hurt me figured out that I told Ian. He texted me right after we got to the restaurant, asking if I was okay. I could tell he was freaked out, but he wouldn’t tell me what happened. He just begged me not to separate myself from you guys tonight. That’s the real reason I asked you to come in here with me.”
“I won’t let you out of my sight,” Izzie promised. “Can…can I hug you?”
I nodded again, and she gently pulled me into her arms, squeezing tight.
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but please don’t tell anyone,” I sniffled. “Please.”
“I won’t say a word,” she whispered, rubbing my back. “It’s not my place. I’m glad you and my brother found each other. You’ve been so good for him, and I can tell he’s been good for you too.”
“Yeah, he has. He’s always been so sweet and patient with me, even before he knew why he had to be.”
“And he actually makes you smile,” Melissa chuckled. “He’s bringing the Ky I know and love back out again.”
Yeah, speaking of that…I needed some girl talk with her. Badly. I was still sorting through everything I was feeling about what happened with Ian yesterday, and she’d always been good at helping me when I started to overthink things.
“Um…let’s get back out there before Eric thinks you fell in, Liss,” I mumbled.
Melissa snorted, but I swore I saw a flash of something cross over her face. Something like…hesitation? Or fear? I couldn’t tell.
As the three of us walked out of the bathroom, I almost walked right into Eric, and he lookedpissedfor some reason.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Melissa said quickly, wrapping her arms around him and kissing his cheek. “I just saw Ky running in and I could tell she needed me.”
“Did sheaskyou to run after her?” he bit out.
“If I’d known she was there, I would have,” I supplied. “Um, if you guys came by yourselves, you should sit with us.”
“This is an outing forus, not for everyone and their mother,” he snapped.
“Please, baby? Can wepleasesit with them? It feels like I haven’t seen Ky in forever,” Melissa murmured, then her tone turned seductive. “I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”
Was…was she seriously offering him a sexual favor just so he’d agree to sit with us tonight? Why?
“Fine,” he grumbled.
“Thank you!” she squealed, pouncing on him with a kiss.
He kissed her back, but it was like it was devoid of all emotion. It wasn’t like the pictures people had taken of me and Ian kissing, where you could see his love and devotion clearly written all over his face. Right now, the look on Eric’s face told me that he was going through the motions, but there were no real feelings attached to his actions.
* * *
“Sorry we took so long,” Izzie said as we shimmied down the bleacher row toward her family. “Picked up a couple of stragglers on the way.”
I chuckled. “Um, Gary, Maya, Hill, this is my best friend, Melissa, and her boyfriend, Eric. Liss, Eric, these are Ian’s parents, Gary and Maya, and Izzie’s girlfriend, Hillary.”
