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I don’t know if I should be grateful I blacked out or not while he was hurting me. All I know is I’m not that girl, I am strong and independent. I went into our relationship slowly. Hell, I didn’t kiss him until our fifth date. It took another two months before I slept with him.
Austin could get grumpy and bossy, but I just figured he was a good-looking guy who probably had girls falling at his feet—not keeping them at arm’s length like I did.
Any relationship I had, they’d have to prove to be worthy of me, and maybe that was wrong, but I wanted someone who wasn’t going to break my heart. I reach up, touching my left eye that’s swollen shut. It hurts, but at least nothing in my face was fractured.
The pain meds they gave me at the hospital help me ease into a fitful sleep.
Chapter Four
Hank
I tighten the handlebars and grab on to them, making sure the placement is right. Next, I work on hooking up the clutch levers and the brake lever. I run the cables down, securing them to the frame.
This has been the longest week, Tripp’s been grumpy—twice he’s woken me up, crying in bed. He’s asleep when he does it and in the morning, he doesn’t remember it. His pediatrician says it’s normal and if Tripp was in no pain, that it was okay.
Last night I crawled into bed with him and held him just to ensure that he felt safe. Hell, I’ve had nightmares myself lately. He’s with my mom today, and since he got a good night’s sleep, I hope he’s in a little better of a mood when I pick him up.
I wipe off my hands and head into the breakroom to grab a soda. That first sip tastes really fucking good right now. It’s hot and humid in the garage today and I’m a hot, sweaty mess today. I grab a towel and wipe my face off.
I slam down the rest of my drink and then toss the can into the recycle bin. Derick, Dad, and Max stand together near the open bay doors. I don’t like the look on their faces. “Hey, what’s going on?”
“Your mom just called.” Oh fuck, my stomach turns. “Brooke’s at the house.”
“What’s wrong with Brooke?” I step closer to Dad. “Where’s Tripp?”
He puts his hand on my shoulder. “He’s with Carrie.” That’s Max’s old lady. “Your mom dropped him off there when Brooke called her.” Dad leans in. “Her boyfriend fucked her up pretty bad.”
That’s all he has to say before I rip off my coveralls and run toward my bike. I ignore everyone calling for me and race toward my parents’ house. I slow my bike to a stop and hop off, running toward the front door.
I step inside and my mom comes racing out from the hallway. “W-What are you doing here?” I walk past her with her calling my name. When I reach the closed door, I open it stepping inside.
Brooke flies up in bed, scrambling off. Rage fills me as I take her in. Her eyes are black and blue, the right one is swollen shut. I see she’s got stitches in her lip.
I step toward her, but she holds her hand out. “Stay back.”
“Hank, leave her alone,” Mom says from behind me.
I ignore her and step toward Brooke. “That piece of shit Austin do this to you?”
“It’s not your business,” she hisses.
I lean in. “It is my business. You’re my fucking wife,” I roar.
“Fuck you, Hank. I was no longer your wife the moment you stuck your dick in someone else,” she shouts, then slaps me. She then rushes past me and runs into my mom’s arms as she cries.
My stomach sinks and shame fills me. The same way it does every time I think about it.
I don’t know if it’s better or worse that I was blackout drunk and don’t even remember sleeping with Tracey. As much as I want to regret it, because I do, I can’t fully, because I wouldn’t have Tripp—I just wish he had a different mother.
Mom watches me as she holds my wife in a comforting hug. I don’t miss the tears that fill her eyes. I mouth, “I’m sorry.”
I hear the front door open and head out to the living room. I find Derrick, Max, and Tripp. “Hi Daddy,” he chirps.
I close my eyes because I know Brooke heard him. Fuck, I don’t want to hurt her, but it’s apparently all I do.
No wonder she avoids me like the plague.
“Hey buddy.” He jumps into my arms. I hug him tightly to my chest and his little arms are wrapped around my neck.
