Page 61 of Mending Hearts

Even now, when I understood what really happened, we let him off, allowed him to stay loose to prowl after others, to hunt more girls. Bile rose into my throat.

“Right,” I said, feeling lightheaded. “I should go mingle.”

Across the room, the front door swung open, and Sarah Telling, tall, willowy, and blond, entered flanked by two burly bodyguards. I let out a squeal, the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach disappearing, and I raced across the room, practically attacking my best friend.

Sarah laughed and yelled, “Happy Birthday!”

“I can’t believe you came.” I squeezed her tighter, reluctant to let her go. At least she came. I didn’t know how Tyler managed it, since Sarah’s schedule was worse than mine.

“I can only stay for an hour. Sorry. I know that’s shit, but it was the best I could do.” She passed me a tiny box. “Where did you get that dress? I want one.”

“Tyler made it.” A flash of pride struck my chest.

“Boyfriend made the dress. Impressive.” Sarah’s fingers trailed down it while I lifted the top off the tiny box. Inside was a delicate silver bracelet.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” I lifted the bracelet to catch the light. “This is gorgeous.”

“It spoke to me. Seemed like something you’d like.” Her gaze traveled around the room. “So, where is your boyfriend? I’ve seen him blasted across social media as you paraded around this town with him. You look happy.”

“Social media?” I frowned and dropped the bracelet back into the box.

“Yeah, you know that thing you’ve been neglecting for the last couple weeks. News flash—the town has been filling in the gaps for you. You’re lucky it’s all been super boring stuff, or the paparazzi would have been on Tyler’s doorstep.” Sarah smoothed my hair. “It’s cute how he holds your hand everywhere.”

I’d never noticed, but the thought brought the shape and feel of his hand back to me in a rush. Perhaps we did hold hands a lot. I scanned the room for him and found him watching me. A grin emerged, and an answering one lit his face when our gazes connected.

“This must be pissing your mother off something fierce. Quit the tour, shack up with an older man, get pregnant.”

“She doesn’t know about the baby.” My smile faded, and I turned to face Sarah.

“What?” Sarah’s blue eyes went big and round. “You haven’t told her?”

“She’d have drugged me and driven me to the clinic.”

“You don’t still think—”

“Maybe. Probably. I don’t know. It was a long time ago.” I never let those thoughts settle.

“Have you been following the Kenny Connors drama?”

I shook my head and grabbed Sarah’s hand. “You should come meet Tyler before you have to leave.”

“That girl’s legal team will come for you, Mia. Everyone knows what he’s like, even if no one ever confronted him.”

“No comment, right? Wear them down with bullshit.” I glanced at Sarah over my shoulder while I weaved through the crowd.

“They’re talking subpoenas. Just watch yourself. The timing is awful for you.”

Tyler’s arm slid around my waist as soon as I got close enough, and he passed me a glass of tea. “You’re looking pale,” he whispered in my ear. “Need a lollipop?”

“I’ve got what I need.” I looked up into his cognac eyes and drank him in.

He tugged me into his side, and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

“Sarah, this is Tyler. Tyler, Sarah.” They shook hands and enthusiastic comments about how good it was to meet flew between them.

As they struck up a conversation, I listened in silence, my mind ticking through Taryn’s and Sarah’s comments. How many girls had Kenny manipulated? Raped? It was terrifying and comforting to think they might not even need my testimony. How many accusers were enough to bring him down? Had this been what my mother had been alluding to in her email? A fame seeker? More like a truth seeker.

When Sarah had to leave, we hugged, and we squeezed each other extra tight. She was one of the few people who knew everything that had happened with Kenny. Some of that should never see the light of day.

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