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The guy’s in jail.
No one’s going to hurt me.
I’m okay.
Dad’s urgent footsteps carry me to the guest room. Mom quickly turns down the covers as he sets me on the bed. I want to assure them I’m fine, but I’m too stiff. My teeth are clenched.
I can’t speak.
Can’t move.
They’re in jail. They won’t ever hurt me again.
No one’s going to hurt me.
“What happened?” Dad asks, his voice gruff in concern.
“I think the boxes we put in the closet fell.” Mom’s thin hair sticks to her cheek. She leans over me. “Kae, honey. It’s okay. Just breathe.”
“Mom…” A tear slips down my cheek.
My heart screams in agony.
Fear has me pinned to the ground. It’s been years, but it still won’t let me go.
Why can’t I be get over this?
“Mom…” I groan again.
“I’m right here, Kaelyn. You’re okay. You’re okay.”
But I’m not.
As long as that night has a hold over me, I’ll never be okay.
I will never, ever be free.
Twelve
Kastle
I’m supposed to be working. Making up for the time I spent out at the beach with Kaelyn today. There’s no way I can get everything done tonight. I’ll probably be working until sunrise.
But I don’t regret taking off with her.
Every moment with Kaelyn is a moment I can breathe.
Every second apart is a moment I can’t.
Simple as that.
It’s why I can’t screw up this arrangement.
Why I dragged my foot when she suggested we pretend to date.
If I lose her, I won’t be able to make it through the day. She’s already so ingrained in my life, in my blood, in my soul. Trying to carve her out now will bruise me. Cut me. Taint me.
I can’t play around.
