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After a few minutes, Declan answers without a shirt and his hair is rumpled. My eyes start to tear, but they stop as soon as Sami wraps her hands around his chest.
“I thought I got rid of you.” She states angrily.
I look through her directly to Declan, “I need to tell you something. If you want to know, meet me at my car.” I walk away with lead in my stomach and know nothing will ever be the same. Even after I tell him, I’ll never wipe the image of her out of my mind.
I wait by my car for about two minutes before he walks out and meets me. I decide not to let him talk, at all.
“You know my dad is in security. Well, that’s just the half of it. He was in the Special Forces and he has a security business. His business is more complex than most. He has a side that handles security and a side that handles Special Force Operations. He works with the US government on a lot of special contracts and advises on high risk situations. He has the direct number to the White House and works with Hostage/Rescue/ Retrieval.”
I take a breath and continue. “Last Spring, my brother and Finn were involved in an accident in Iraq and both were injured. Max wasn’t with them that day. My brother almost lost his left leg and is under counseling for PTSD. Finn took shrapnel to his torso and legs while trying to save my brother. They came home and I left Atlanta after graduation.
“Last semester, I was terrorized by an antiwar protestor that found out who my dad and brother are. In his deranged mind, he thought Special Forces and soldiers were prolonging the wars. He found out where I lived and started to terrorize me. He left dead animals on my car, spray painted my campus housing door, and sent threatening letters. Some of the letters described in detail the abuse he wanted to do to me. We turned the letters over to the police, but the threats included some gruesome things that would scar me forever. He wanted retaliation for the women being raped and abused in the Middle East. He blamed our soldiers for that as well. The school provided security, but after my dad found out that the guy knew where I lived, he insisted on constant security.
“I came back here to be closer to Robbie with his treatment and rehab. Finn got better and my dad offered him a side job. He goes to school full-time to finish his degree but works in security as well. He is just a friend.
“Max is another story. He’s never forgiven himself for not being with them the day they were ambushed. He st
ayed in the Marines and comes to visit whenever possible. Max taught me how to swim, talked me through my first break-up, and took pictures at my first dance. He’s like a brother to me as much as the other two. So you see, none of them want to fuck me because I’m their sister and they’re my protectors. When I was at Emory and the guy tried to get me, Max lost his shit.
“I’m just a part of a classified and secured military family. They’re protective and loving and don’t want anything to happen to me. I tried to hide that part of my life because I wanted you to know me for me. I shouldn’t share it with you now, but I wanted you to know I’m not a whore. The images you saw were not what you thought. Those guys would do anything for me and I would never sleep with them. What you and I had was special and I’m sorry you thought otherwise.”
I finish my story and reach for my door handle. “This doesn’t change things, but at least you have the whole story now. The truth. I’m not a whore and I didn’t deceive you on purpose.”
I start my car and close the door. I see Declan looking at me with those piercing eyes just as I see Sami open his door. I reverse and don’t look back.
When I get home, I walk in the house to find Abbi and Ella watching a TV program. They both look at me with concern in their eyes.
“Hey, guys, can we talk? I need to tell you something.”
They both nod and I join them on the couch. I recap the entire story I shared with Declan. Both hug me and let me cry on their shoulders. When it’s time for bed, we hug and I promise them I’m okay.
I check my phone as I get into bed. I have several missed calls and one text from Declan.
I’m a complete asshole, please call me
I turn off my phone.
*****
The commotion at the door wakes me.
“Let me see her. I need to talk to her.”
“You’re my brother, but you’re an asshole! You should have seen her earlier. She was broken! It took both Ella and I to calm her down. What the fuck did you do?”
“Let me in. I need her.”
“Well I suggest you go shower and sober up before you see her. She’s not going to want to smell you right now.”
“I fucked up, Abs. I really fucked up. Just ask her if she’ll talk to me. I’ll only be a few minutes…”
She tells him to take his time showering and I get a plan. I don’t want to see him now. I saw all I needed earlier when Sami’s hands were wrapped around his chest. I get up and quickly pack a bag with of a few clothes and necessities. Then I write a quick note and put it on my pillow.
Not ready to see you. Nothing will wash her from my mind.
He’ll know what I mean.
I grab my duffle along with my laptop and schoolbag. I sneak out of the house and get to my car unnoticed. I send a quick text.
