Page 52 of Top Shelf

“What’s her name?” the first officer asks.

I give him her name and number, thank them, and go back inside.

The instant I close the door behind me, she bursts into tears.

I rush to her, pulling her into me.

“I’m so sorry,” she cries. “I can’t believe him. I’m so sorry.”

“Sade, you’ve got to stop carrying the blame for him,” I beg her. “You’ve got to.”

“But it’s my mess,” she says. “It’s mine, and I brought it to you.”

I tilt her chin up to me and press my lips to hers.

“It’sours,” I correct her. “The lines are crossed now, Sade. In fact, there is no goddamn line anymore. You’remine.You’re not his. You never really were. He touched what’s mine without permission. Without invitation. He tried to make you feel small. And he doesn’t get to do that anymore.”

I swipe her tears away with my thumbs and smile.

“We got this,” I tell her. “I’m gonna call my dad. He has a good friend that’s a lawyer. I’m just going to get a plan together, okay?”

She nods, and I kiss her forehead and walk into the kitchen. I’m determined not to let her see me scared. She’s had enough of that to last her for a lifetime. No, sir. She’s going to get the best of me. The strongest of me.

Shit, she hasallof me.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

sadie

My stomach has beenin knots all day. I’ve taken Odie for three walks in the last two hours while we wait for Mr. C.’s friend Hal to meet us at their place tonight. Tyson refuses to be anything but calm right now, which I find even more unnerving. It’s sweet, but it’s also scaring me more. I feel like I’m in the dark, and I feel completely helpless. He’s so sure about his actions. He swears up and down he’d do the same thing over again if he had to.

He says that Hayden got what he deserved, and while I admit that seeing him flattened out like a fucking pancake did give me the most pleasure I’ve ever had involving him, I’m fucking terrified for Tyson.

Finally, it’s time for us to head to the Calways’, and I’m a nervous wreck.

He reaches for my hand on my necklace when we’re in the car, but I swat his hand away.

“No,” I say.

He laughs.

“‘No?’” he says.

I look at him, trying not to crack a smile.

“You bought me this necklace before the semi-final game because I was pulling my hair out,” I remind him. “And do you remember what you said?”

He laughs.

“I’m sure you’re gonna tell me.”

“You said, ‘this is to be used in case of fidgeting emergencies,’” I say. “This is a fidgeting emergency. So let me fidget, dammit.”

He reaches his hand over, still laughing, and squeezes the inside of my thigh.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says. “Fidget away.”

At the Calways’, the house is quiet. Lo kept the girls at home, but Levi came to hear what Hal had to say. It’s the first time we’ve talked to him since last night, and I find myself watching his every move and expression. But as soon as we walk through the door, he walks right up to Tyson, pulling him in for a hug. Then he turns to me.

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