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“Is that why you tried to make it look like a car accident? Your attempt to kill Shane and me? Because you believe he killed John Bailey in a car accident and…”
Choking up on the next part, I’m barely able to hold back tears.
“…and because you think their fathers killed Mom?”
That part hurts. Fucking devastates me.
My mother was a wonderful woman. An optimist. A child at heart. She would never hurt a fly. All she wanted in this life was to love her family and be happy. She didn’t deserve to die so young and so horribly.
Scott is still being insistent. “I didn’t do anything to Shane’s car. I would never risk you in that way.”
I don’t believe him, but I still have more questions I need to ask, so I move on.
Locking my stare on Scott, I ask, “And what about Everly? Why is she running? Did you involve her in this too? You claim you wouldn’t risk me, but did you risk her? Maybe you’re just lying about all of it to cover your ass.”
With a booming voice that rattles the windows of the room we’re in, Scott answers, “I didn’t involve Everly in anything! I’m looking for my sister so I can protect her!”
“From what?” I yell.
They both shut down and shut up.
Their refusal to answer is telling.
My father breaks the apprehensive silence.
“Okay, maybe we should all calm down. The good news is we got you away from those men. You’re safe finally. Now if we can just end this once and for all, you’ll remain that way.”
Unshed tears continue to sting the rims of my eyes. I need to play this smart. Somehow getting either Scott or Dad to admit exactly what is going on.
Forcing myself to breathe deeply, I will my heart to slow down. As long as I’m upset, both of these men will remain on the defensive. They can just look at me and tell how I’m feeling. They’ve known me too long for me to hide it.
It’s another game. Just like all the other ones I’d been playing against Shane over the past few days.
Just another game.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure who all the players are, which side is the one to help, and what will happen if I go with my gut and continue helping Shane.
Can I trust him?
My heart wants to.
My mind is quickly agreeing.
But for what reason?
I’ve known him only a handful of days while I’ve known Scott and my dad my entire life.
It can’t be because I’ve slept with him once.
That’s not love.
Yet I have to admit that every time I’m around him, it feels like my soul is reaching out to grab on. Like I’ve found my other half. A man who is opposite of me in every way that matters and just alike at the same time.
Where I’m weak, Shane is strong. And conversely, where he is weak, I take up the battle.
Maybe that’s why opposites attract. They’re perfect complements of each other. Weak and struggling when they’re apart but so damn powerful when they’re together.
It makes sense that we drive each other crazy. He’s the part of myself that isn’t always worried and hiding, and I’m the part of him that is a whispering reminder to care about his life and slow down.
