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We head up the walkway to the front door. She gets out her keys and unlocks the door. Once I step inside, I carry Tripp down the hall to his bedroom. I quickly strip him out of his clothes and since he didn’t go potty before bed, I slip on a pull-up.
In the living room, I find Brooke looking out the front window. “Hey, you okay?” I ask as I step up behind her.
“There’s someone in that car watching the house,” she whispers quietly.
I move around her and head to the front door, throwing it open. The car turns on and pulls a U-turn. It is similar to the car from the video at the motel. Shutting the door, I lock it and arm the security system.
“Is it Austin?” Brooke asks, and I hate the tremble in her voice.
Pulling her into my arms, I hug her tight. “I’m not sure, but trust me when I say that you’re safe. I’ll never let anything happen to you.” She nods and then yawns. “Go get in bed, baby. I’ll be right behind you.”
It’s at least thirty minutes before I finally head to our bedroom, yes, I said our. Luckily, she’s asleep when I come to bed. After stripping down to my boxer briefs, I crawl into bed. Brooke rolls over and even in sleep, she snuggles in close.
Unfortunately for me, it’s a long time before I find sleep because I can’t help but feel like everything is about to fall apart.
Chapter Nineteen
Brooke
“Okay, everyone, I want your book reports on my desk Monday morning. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.” My kids are good readers and I’ve started assigning them book reports. This is their favorite homework.
They all happily chatter to one another while they pack up their backpacks. My students have been the best distraction lately. Hank and I have both been on edge since the other night.
If I thought he was overprotective before, it’s a lot worse now. I’m now dropped off and picked up every day by either Hank, Derrick, or Hank’s dad. Then I’m taken to his parents’ house to get Tripp and then we’re taken directly back to Hank’s.
Usually, one of the brothers hangs out until Hank is done with work. It sucks and both Tripp and I are over it already. We can’t go outside unless Hank, Derrick, or his dad.
I get it, I do, but that poor little boy doesn’t understand that it’s for his safety. We don’t want him scared and traumatized.
“Miss Burns?” I smile down at Lily. “I have to go to the bathroom, bad.”
The bell will be ringing in just a few minutes, but these kids have small bladders. I stick my head in the other first-grade classroom and ask the teacher to watch my classroom. She agrees, and I take Lily’s hand, walking her to the bathroom.
Standing by the sinks, I watch her disappear into the stall. While Lily uses the toilet, I look at myself in the mirror. My belly is starting to look pooched. With Gage, I was all boobs, belly, and butt. So far I only have bigger boobs and a puffy looking stomach.
One thing for sure is I look freaking happy. Something I haven’t felt in a long time. The bell rings as the toilet flushes. Lily washes her hands and then I lead her back to the classroom and help her get her backpack on.
“Have a great weekend,” I tell her as I walk her out to the hall monitor.
Back in my room, I gather my things. The sound of my door shutting has me spinning around. I immediately feel sick and like I might pass out. “T-Tracey? W-What are you doing here?”
The bleached blonde looks just like I remember—the image that is forever burned in my brain.
She walks slowly toward me and her eyes go to my stomach, and that’s when I realize I put my hand protectively over my stomach.
“Ohhh…well, isn’t that precious. Maybe this one will make it.” She snickers.
I swallow the bile that threatens to escape. “Shut up,” is all I can spit out.
Tracey comes closer. The smell of perfume and cigarettes is making me want to gag. “How does it feel? Every day you have to look at that little boy and know that he’s mine. That your perfect Hank fucked me and put that boy inside me.” Her words hit me like bullets. Then she just goes for the kill. “Every time he’s inside you, remember that he once was inside me, and couldn’t get enough.”
In a flash, she’s gone and I’m vomiting violently into my trash can. My hands shake as tears spill from my eyes. A sob rips from my throat as I lay down on the floor under my desk, curling in on myself.
“Brooke?” I hear Derrick’s worried voice. I push myself up and he rushes over. “What happened?” I shake my head as he helps me stand. “Girl, you’re scaring me.”
“Please, just get me home. I need to lie down.” He takes my bag from me and leads me out to his truck.
I’m thankful for the silence on the way back to Hank’s. He lets me in once we get home and I head into the spare bedroom, collapsing on the bed. Thankfully I’m exhausted, and in no time, I’m fast asleep.
