Page 7 of Hurts So Good

She’s so beautiful, with a youthful look of innocence. The same innocence I saw in her years ago. Things could’ve been good for us. We could’ve been together. Once upon a time, we could’ve been possible. Until that asshole Mr. Rylee ruined everything. Until he put his mark on her soul and ripped away the light in her eyes.

Our lives were changed forever after that fateful night. My hands stained with blood and her entire being stained with violation.

CHAPTER FIVE

Ty

As we sit on the back porch steps, wind blows through Lakelynn’s hair. She looks beautiful in the moonlight.

“Why does everyone want to leave this place so badly? I just don’t understand.” She frowns. “It’s not that bad here.”

Her words make me cringe. This place is hell. Mr. Rylee is a pervert, Mrs. Rylee is a bitch, and everyone who’s ever lived here knows that from personal experience. Except Lakelynn. She’s the only one who has been safe from the horrors in this house.

When Lakelynn arrived, Sierra was already keeping Mr. Rylee entertained. Over time, other girls came in, taking the attention. Mrs. Rylee turns a blind eye to it all. If it wouldn’t look so suspicious, she probably wouldn’t have ever accepted a male foster child into her home. We’re of no use to her, or him. All she cares about is the money she receives for taking in each child.

Mrs. Rylee used to be a surrogate mother, carrying children for people who couldn't have them. It was a big paycheck she wouldn’t have to leave the house to work for. I was the last one she did. The couple that wanted me divorced, then decided they didn't want me. It was too late to abort, so Mrs. Rylee was asked to keep me as a foster child. That’s why they hate me the most. She reminds me constantly that she was too afraid to lose her outstanding reputation by declining their request.

No one’s ever wanted me. Except Lakelynn.

Since the day we met, she’s made it perfectly clear how much she likes being around me. It doesn’t matter how hard I try to push her away, she always comes back.

I’ve never loved anyone, but if there’s one thing I can’t live without, it’s her. She’s the only reason I’d consider sticking around. Legally, I can drop out and disappear in a month when I turn eighteen, but Lakelynn doesn’t age out of the system for another year and a half. I won’t leave her behind. I can’t.

“Why aren’t you answering me?” She pouts. “Are you going to leave me?”

I didn’t know what to say before, but I do now.

I shake my head. “I won’t leave you.”

Lakelynn hugs my neck, giggling. “Thank you.”

I pat her arm with a smile. “You’re welcome. But we are leaving as soon as you turn eighteen.”

“Why?” She pulls away.

“Because they’re going to kick you out. I’m sure they’ll force me out when I turn eighteen too, but I’ll do what I have to do to stay with you.”

“They wouldn’t do that!”

“Yes, they would,” I scoff.

She doesn’t understand how things really work here. She hasn’t been a victim yet. Every time I get bruises she can see, I tell her it’s from a fight at school, but that’s not true. Mrs. Rylee and her husband get angry often. They take us out back to the shed when it happens.

Lakelynn knows that’s the punishment room, but she doesn’t know what happens in there. It’s not easy keeping her in the dark about everything going on, but I do my best to protect her. I don’t want that innocent look in her eyes to disappear. Ever. I want her to always be as happy and safe as she is now.

I’ll protect her with my life.

“No, they won’t kick anyone out!” She jumps to her feet and scowls down at me. “Why are you always so negative?”

“Because I know them.”

“So do I.”

“No, you don’t,” I say. “They only let us stay because we’re useful. The second we’re not, we’re out of here.”

“They’re only trying to teach you right from wrong. Everyone just runs away as soon as they know the state won’t search for them. If you’d just do as they ask, they wouldn’t punish you. Or the others. They’d let you stay.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

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