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I sighed. “Drew never was good withdirections.”
“Well, he managed to find the place. I can already see where this is going. He gets a pass on this one because he wasn’t officially released from the hospital.” She narrowed her eyesatme.
“You’re already disappointed in me.” I frowned. “That didn’t take long. I usually had to get a woman into bedfirst.”
Her jaw dropped. At first, I thought she was going to say something, but instead, she snapped her mouth shut and strode to her room. I followed her, trying to figure out how to make this right. I could do anything but turn my back on Drew. This was my fault. “How can I fix this,Laney?”
She whipped around and scowled at me. “Youknowhow.”
“Rehab?” I asked weakly. “I can’t. Not yet. We haven’t even tried to helphim.We…”
“We can’t help him. We can’t fix him. He has to fix himself and he won’t do that with everyone making his mistakes right.” She threw her hands up in the air and rushed intoherroom.
I hesitated, but fear forced me to follow her. By the time I entered, she had pulled out her suitcases. “What are you doing? You’re leaving? Already? Over this?” I raked my hands through my hair. My head began to pound, which was strange since I could’ve sworn my heart stopped. “Laney,please.”
“No, Harry.” She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at me a moment, and I knew she was trying to figure out how to get through to me. “You want me tostayhere?”
I nodded fervently. “I do. Ineedyou.”
Laney frowned. “I needed you too. I needed you toprotectme.”
“But I did!” I interjected. “Istoppedhim.”
“Too late.” She shook her head. “Look at my face. I’m probably going to have a black eye. That’ll go great with my job.” Laney covered her face. “And this happened before we knew he was out. Now, you’re welcoming into your home the man who has so little respect for you he broke into your home, made a horrific mess, and tried to rape yourgirlfriend.”
I swallowed hard and looked at the floor. I had no excuse to make. There was nothing Icouldsay.
“I can’t stay here. I’m covered in his blood. You’re choosing him over me.” Tears suddenly streamed down her face. “It’s okay. It’s not the first time this has happened to me.” The she picked up her bags and walkedpastme.
“Where are you going?” I knew I sounded pathetic, but I didn’t care. Her words had wounded me because…the truth hurts. “I’m not choosing him over you,” Iwhispered.
Laney paused at her door to slip her feet into a pair of shoes. Then she glanced down at her bloody outfit. “Fuck. Just fuck.” She unzipped her garment bag and pulled out an overcoat. Once she had it on, she adjusted everything in her arms. It pained me to watch herstruggle.
“I’d help you, but I’m not going to making leaving me easier,” Igrumbled.
Laney blew out a breath. “His behavior is escalating. You’re doing nothing to stop him. I don’t feel safe.” She shrugged and walked toward the front door while I trailed sadlybehindher.
“I wish you’d reconsider. I’ll sleep in your room with you. I’ll make sure you’re never alone with him. I’ll…I’ll…” I threw my hands up in the air because she was already shakingherhead.
“Listen to yourself. You will do anything but get him the help he needs.” She cupped my face. “It has taken me too many years, but I’ve finally learned to save myself. You have to choose to save you too.” Then she walked over the broken glass and outthedoor.
There was a finality to it, the crunching of the glass on the tile floor. I stood there, staring after her, letting her words wash over me. When Ty arrived a good ten minutes later, I was still standing there. I’d watched her drive off, knowing this was no game, completely accepting this was no power play, struggling to admit I’d probably never see heragain.
“Where’s Kate?” I askednumbly.
“I couldn’t bring her here, Harry. Drew attacked Laney. I would rather die than put her in danger.” He frowned. “Where’sLaney?”
I licked my lips before responding. “She left. She packed up and left.” I guess I thought he might make me feel better, I hoped my best friend would defend me and mydecision.
“I don’t blame her. She sent me pictures.” He sighed as he studied me. “Did you see? Do you really understand thesituation?”
I shrugged. “So, Drew is going to be a little more work than Iexpected.”
Ty scanned the room. He scanned the room, taking in the broken glass, the blood trail. “Are you sure he doesn’t needstitches?”
“He’ll be fine.” I turned away so I wouldn’t see the condemnation in his eyes. “He’ll heal. We’ll be fine here onourown.”
Ty laughed. “Please. Laney was the best thing to happen to you. And after looking around, I’m gladsheleft.”
