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And ironically, it had been Aiden, Mark and Maddox who set his car on fire and spray-painted his house. If it was just a guess, it was a hell of a good one. Unless he was picking them off one by one.
And then this morning, I walked outside to dozens of white roses littering my front garden. Hunger Games is my favourite movie, and the flowers reminded me so much of the scene where Katniss steps out of District Thirteen’s shelter to find the enemy had covered the damage with white roses. It gave me chills seeing it, and I knew it was Zach. And I knew he wasn’t going to give up. I’m scared for my family.
Mum startles me when she drags a chair over to sit down next to me. “Are you okay, sweetie?”
I give her a brief smile. “I’m good, Mum,” I assure her. “The food was great, by the way.”
“Don’t change the subject,” she softly scolds. “A mother knows. You’ve put on a great front but you’ve distanced yourself all night. I’m worried.”
“I’ve been messaging George and Laura all night about their VIP party. That’s all.” I think the two are just stressing over the responsibility because nothing I helped with was something they wouldn’t have figured out for themselves eventually.
“No, it’s more than that. Talk to me.”
I let out a soft breath as I tuck my hair behind my ear. She won’t let this go until I talk. “Do you think Zach is dangerous?”
She pauses for a moment. “I think anyone can be dangerous and you should be careful of everyone.”
“Mum, I think I need to report him and I’m worried it will make it all worse. After this morning, I’m scared.”
She takes my hand. “We will never let him hurt you.”
“I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you and our family. You’ve already been through too much because of me. I don’t want to cause you anymore upset. I won’t.I can’t.”
“What happened when you were ababyhad nothing to do with you and it was not your fault. It was a series of events that led to it and you were just an innocent bystander who got dragged into it. You had no part in their choices any more than I did. The same with Zach. You are not to blame for the choices he’s made or for his actions. You can’t control him any more than he could control you. And taking on the guilt of what he does is what he is expecting. You’ll let him win. The only thing he can do to us is hurt you and we won’t let that happen. And I’m pretty sure Ben won’t either.”
“Ben?”
She smirks knowingly. “I’ve seen him watching you tonight. It’s not the same look as before.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, my heart racing.
Does she know?
Does Dad?
“Well, before, he watched you like you were someone he couldn’t have so he wanted you more. Tonight, he’s watching you like he’s had you and doesn’t want to let you go.”
“Mum,” I breathe, and she must sense the panic in my voice.
“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me,” she promises. “I knew it would happen eventually, but your dad won’t be happy.”
I relax a little. I want to ask her how she knew but her comment takes me off guard. “Why won’t he?”
As Dad clinks his bottle with an envelope opener, she gets to her feet. I follow so I can hear her reply. “Because he told them all to stay away from you,” she explains, then leans down to kiss my cheek. “We can talk about going to the police tomorrow when your dad’s sober.”
She walks over to him as he announces: “Everyone can open their secret Santa presents.”
My lips twitch as I sit back down, my focus on Ben. His bag is massive and he pulls out the present on top. He warily glances around like he’s expecting a blow up doll. But when he rips into the paper and finds the duck pyjamas, he grins, glancing my way. I grin back because he has no idea that it’s a theme with most of them, except the one at the bottom. I got him a duck oodie too, which he laughs at. It matches the rubber duck, and the slippers.
“Something you want to share?” Phil teases.
“Guess I like ducks,” he chuckles.
Mum meets my gaze, her lips twitching. She knows the pyjamas are a men’s replica of my own.
When he opens the last present, I glance away. It’s a pair of Ray Bans that I know he’s been wanting for a while. Using the last bit of my present fund was worth it to get them.
I’m drawn to the box on the desk, though I’m a little hesitant to open it. They aren’t exactly buying to make someone happy. Last year, I got a phone case with Phil’s picture on it. The year before it had been a box of condoms. And the year before that it had been a creepy clown Jack-in-the-box.
