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“This is fucking amazing!” I say around a mouthful of food. She smirks cockily and raises a brow. “Who taught you how to cook?”
“YouTube.” I frown, she takes pity on me and elaborates. “My parents never gave a shit about me, Reaper. I’m the disappointment of my family, so I didn’t get the help from them that my sisters did. I mean shit, we bury Cody, then they’re on the next flight to Thailand without a word. I only found out because Keeley posted a picture online with the caption‘Time to heal as a family.’” She shrugs it off like it doesn’t bother her, but I see it in the way her shoulders hunch that them not including her hurts.
“Cody was the one who would look out for you, wasn’t she?” She glares down at her plate and nods stiffly.
“She was the only person who gave a fuck about me,” she whispers brokenly, and guilt swarms inside me.
Alexa
I know I have a part to play in order for my new plan to work but it’s fucking hard when I blame him for the loss of my sister. I still have no idea why the fuck he is putting up with the shit I have put him through. I’ve cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage and he’s just paid my education. I school my features and make sure to keep the emotion out of my voice as I divulge information I know will go a long way in him trusting me and letting me in.
“Cody was the one I called the first time Jason hit me.” I see him stiffen, then white knuckles his knife and fork, out of the corner of my eye but he remains silent, waiting for me to continue. “I was a foolish idiot thinking it was a one-time thing, I knew he was dabbling in drugs but I ignored it because for the first time in my life I had someone.” I sigh and push my food around my plate.
“Why did you leave?” he asks quietly.
“It took a minute, I met Jason at my high school when I was sixteen. I was dumb and fell for the first guy who uttered those three stupid little words. I never loved him. I wanted to but I just couldn’t. For the first few months everything was great but then his parents pushed him to get straight A’s so he would pop pills to stay up later studying. He was snappy and angry on those days but never laid a hand on me until one of his friends gave him a bag of coke, then shit went south when he was coming down. The first time he hit me, I called Cody and she got me out but three days later I caved and answered his call, He swore he was sorry and told me he missed me. I couldn’t hide out in her dorm forever, so I went back.”
“How long did it carry on?” The anger in his tone is clear. I lock my own emotions down and force myself to finish the story.
“Another four or so months, it wasn’t long after I graduated but the last time was the worst. He cracked my ribs and did damage to my face. Cody got me out and I never went back. I stayed with her for a while but I knew me being at CHU was keeping her from hanging out with you and her friends so I lied. I told her Mom and Dad called and wanted me to go home. I could see the relief on her face and I couldn’t blame her. She was in love and living her best life. I didn’t want to hold her back any more than I already was.”
“Where did you go?”
“I couch surfed on friend’s couches or stayed in abandoned houses. I didn’t have the luxury of money coming out of my ass, so hotels were out of the question.” I force a laugh but he doesn’t join me.
“How did you get out here, Alexa?”
“I stole Cody’s debit card and used the last bit of cash I had. My parents found out I stole it and canceled it.”
“And they never questioned why you were out here?” I turn to him and pin him with a dumbfounded look.
“They hopped on a fucking plane to Thailand without me. Do you really think they give a fuck about where I am?” I hear the bitterness that coats my own words. We both remain silent for a moment lost in our own thoughts until he breaks it.
“I’m sorry I took her away from you. I had no idea you were with her at CHU.”
“It’s not your fault,” I mutter.
“You’ll never have to worry about money again, Alexa.” I frown at him. “Scream, shout, curse me out or whatever you want but I have set up a bank account for you with two-hundred grand in it.” My mouth drops open. “Use it how you please and if you need more just call me. I want you to not have to worry about working while you’re at school and just focus on your studies. I’m hoping that money will ease some of the stress for you.”
“What the fuck? You can’t just throw money around like that!” I shout at him.
“Why not? It’s my fucking money and I can do what I want with it. I don’t care, jail bait, spend it or don’t, but it’s in an account under your name and only you can touch it.”
“This is fucking crazy.”
“No, what’s crazy is you still answering that piece of shit’s fucking calls after what he did to you!” His words leak with venom as his eyes drill into me, holding me captive, the look in his eyes is one of protectiveness.
“You don’t get to sit there on your high horse and judge me,” I force out through clenched teeth. “You know nothing about me and yet you think you have the right to judge me because I told you a sob story?” I scoff for added effect. “I don’t need your fucking pity. I’m not a victim of anything. I’m a fucking survivor and choose not to dwell on the past that I allowed myself to live.” Truth is, I’m not really angry at him, I’m pissed at myself for putting up with Jason’s shit as long as I did.
“I don’t pity you. I fucking admire you for not giving up and fighting for what you want even though you’ve been dealt a shit fucking hand in life.” I’m rendered speechless. I have no idea what to say to that, not even Cody would acknowledge that aloud. “Don’t let that piece of shit make you feel like you owe him something. You have a chance at a fresh start and building a better life for yourself, don’t squander it.”
* * *
I’m stuck sleeping in Corvin’s bed for another night until the new furniture arrives tomorrow. I lay here staring up at the ceiling still reeling from our conversation at dinner. How can you hate someone so much and yet feel a connection with them that you have never felt with anyone else? I roll over and try to force myself to sleep before Corvin comes to bed, but I can’t stop overthinking to achieve that. My phone rings, pulling me from my inner turmoil—Corvin gave it back after dinner. I reach over and grab it from the bedside table and groan when I see Katie’s name.
I answer the call and bring the phone to my ear. “What do you want Katie?”
“Just to see if you’re okay.” The watery tone of her voice tells me she’s been crying.
