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The last picture pops up, it’s from our wedding. She wore a white dress with super short sleeves. It showed off her cleavage and hugged her slim body. I wore a black suit and white dress shirt. Next to Gage and Tripp being born, it was one of the greatest days of my life.
We were so happy and so in love. She was my world, and I destroyed her. I’ve never stopped loving her and I’m going to win her back—I’m going to give her the happy ending I should’ve given her before.
Chapter Five
Brooke
I check myself in the mirror one more time. My bruises are all mostly gone, the stitches in my lip were dissolvable, which means they’re gone too. I still have a variety of aches and pains, but overall, I’ve improved—physically I’m healing, but mentally I’m a mess. I should’ve arranged to stay somewhere else, but Hank’s mom forbade it when I brought it up to her.
She’s been there for me since Hank, and I started dating. My dad split when I was too young to remember, and my mom was a mess. She ran off with her boyfriend when I was seventeen and I never saw her again.
I’ve always considered Judy and Mick my parents. Even after Hank and I ended, I visited with Judy often. This past week every time Hank’s son was at the house, I hid like a coward. A part of the reason is because he’s a reminder of what I lost and how he came to be.
It is not his fault, he’s an innocent boy—it’s just my issues, my hurt, and my grief. I’ve heard his voice outside the room, asking if he can come in and say “hi”, and then Judy telling him that I was sleeping. He always sounded so disappointed, and I hated it.
I grab my flat iron and give myself some loose beach waves. After I shake them out, I clip my bangs off to the side. I lean forward, looking in the mirror—I’ve managed to cover up the dark circles under my eyes—from lack of sleep—without it being obvious that I’ve got a thick layer of concealer on.
My eyes appear dull. I have heterochromia—my students have always been fascinated by it—and it is more noticeable today. My right eye is green, and my left eye is brown—they’re both surprisingly lackluster.
“You are going to have a great day. You’re going to be safe.” I’m not thrilled that Hank has demanded that he and his brothers watch over me. Since I apparently don’t get a choice, I’ll just have to deal with it, but hopefully it’s anyone but him—I don’t want to see him.
I shake my hands out and head back into the bedroom. I pick up my dirty clothes, placing them in the hamper. Now that I’m going to be teaching, I need to get some more clothes from home.
My phone rings and I see it’s Riley. “Hey girl,” I answer, trying to sound light and breezy, not sad and depressed.
“Derrick told me what happened.” Of course, he did. “My god, are you okay?”
I begin to cry. “I thought he was going to kill me.”
“Brooke, remember you’re safe,” she says inthe phone. “Remember our senior year when we went camping?”
Thankfully she pulls my thoughts to something else, which is what I need right now. I’m pretty sure that is when I got pregnant with Gage. “Yeah, Hank and I got caught in the rain while hiking by ourselves.” We took shelter in a little cave, and you can only imagine what happened.
We talk just a little bit longer before I let her go with the promise that I’ll keep her posted on what’s going on.
Tonight, I wanted to go back to my place, but Hank’s dad insisted I stay until they get the security system wired up at the house. I’ve filed for an order of protection against Austin, and they granted me an emergency one while they process it to serve him once they can find him.
I know a piece of paper won’t stop him if he tries to come after me, but he knows who Hank is—he’d have to be stupid to make him angry. Anyway, they thought it best I stay here until they have me safe there.
I sling my messenger bag over my shoulder and step out of the bedroom. On my way into the kitchen, I drop my purse and bag on the sofa. I stop mid-step because Hank and Tripp are standing with Judy.
Tripp comes toward me carrying a large bouquet of pink roses, my other favorite flower, and thrusts them toward me. “Dese are for you.”
“O-Oh…well thank-thank you.” I take them from him and bury my nose in them.
Every birthday, anniversary, and other events through high school, Hank always bought me pink roses. “He knew you were going back to school today, so he wanted to bring these to wish you luck.”
“That’s really nice, sweetheart,” I say quietly as I give Tripp a soft smile. “Thank you.”
He smiles up at me, looking so much like his dad it hurts. “You’re welcome.” Tripp chirps and then runs over to his dad, who smiles at me, but I ignore him.
I turn to Judy and smile. “I’m going to head out.”
“I’m glad you’re staying,” she whispers softly.
“Thank you for letting me and for taking such good care of me.” I hug the other woman tightly. I step back and smile at Tripp. “Thank you again for the beautiful roses.”
Judy tells me she’ll put them in a vase for me and then will put them in my room.
