Page 49 of Brazen Being It

“He told me he wouldn’t kill me. Said that would be too easy. Said he wanted to make sure he watched me suffer until the end of time. That he’d burn everything I loved to the ground.”

I bite down on the inside of my cheek until I taste blood. “I didn’t think he’d follow me out of Arkansas. He had my mom. He made money off her. I lived life struggling. I knew pain and loss. I watched my mother die in front of me even though she was still breathing. He doesn’t see it, but his brother killed my innocence that night too. A part of me died when I took his life and I still wish anything else could have happened.”

Little Foot steps forward, his body pressing against mine as he wraps me in his arms.

I bury my face in his chest and inhale so sharply it’s like I’ve been drowning without realizing it.

“You didn’t deserve that,” he says quietly, his hand running up and down my back. “You didn’t deserve any of it.”

“I left everything,” I choke out. “I took the opportunity you gave me and I ran. I didn’t think Frankie could follow me. How did he find me? I don’t call home. I haven’t talked to my mom, Drew. She could have overdosed being alone in the hotel or a John beat her up. I turned my back on her to save myself. And still I’m going to lose it all.”

Little Foot pulls back just enough to see me. His hands cradle my face again, warm and steady. “You didn’t tell me because you were protecting me.”

I nod, barely. “But it’s here now. He’s here now. I don’t know how, but he found me. And he’s going to make me pay, this time using you and your family.”

His jaw tightens, and there’s a fire in his eyes that wasn’t there before. “He’s not gonna touch you again,” he says, low and hard. “I promise you, Cambria. He’s not gonna get to any of us, me, you, or our family. Because you’re with me, they are your family too.”

Tears keep coming, hot and angry now. “I didn’t want you to see me like this,” I whisper. “I didn’t want to be someone broken in your eyes.”

“You’re not broken,” he says, his voice a gravel-soft oath. “You’re the strongest damn person I’ve ever known.”

“I’m scared, Drew.” He leans his forehead against mine.

“So am I.” His honesty—it breaks something open in me. “But I’m here,” he continues. “I’m not going anywhere. Whatever comes next, you’re not facing it alone.”

I grip the front of his shirt like a lifeline. “I need you,” I admit. “Not because I’m weak. But because you’re the only person who ever made me feel safe.”

He kisses me. Not gentle. Not soft.

It’s a kiss full of everything we have yet to say. It’s his promise between us, one pressed to my lips. His vow to stand by me and my vow to stay in this with him. When we break apart, I’m breathing hard, heart pounding like it’s trying to run out of my chest.

All the pieces of myself I’ve been holding together fall apart in his hands. But he doesn’t flinch. He just holds me tighter, like he’s piecing me back together one breath at a time.

“I love you, Cambria,” he says into my hair. “Every scar. Every moment. I love you.”

I clutch him tighter. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “For not telling you. For not trusting you. For thinking I had to do this alone.”

He lifts my face again, his fingers gentle but firm. “You survived, Cambria. That’s what matters. And now you’re not alone anymore.”

The sun dips low behind the trees, casting gold over everything. The porch is quiet, except for the cicadas starting up their evening song. The world should feel heavy, but for the first time in a long time it doesn’t. It feels like maybe we still have a chance.

Maybe love isn’t what I thought it was. Maybe it’s not clean or perfect or soft.

Maybe it’s standing in the ruins with someone who refuses to walk away.

Maybe it’s this.

Just this.

Me and him. And whatever comes next.

Together.

TWELVE

DREW

Quiet comes and quickly goes.

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