Page 364 of Small Town Firsts

“Some things are better left unsaid, son. But he knows the consequences he’ll face if he ever comes back.”

“Which are?”

“He’ll be not only disowned, but also disinherited. All of the money in his trust would be forfeited to Emmalyn.”

“And you have this in writing?”

My dad scoffs. “I’m not an amateur, son.”

"I know." I stand and begin to pace. My apartment feels so lonely without her here. Hell, my whole life feels lonely, sad as it sounds. “Thank you.”

“That’s not all,” he says, immediately putting me on edge.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The remainder of Emmalyn’s college has been paid for. And Robert and Sarah will be making quarterly donations to several charities that help battered women.”

“Why?” I ask, even though I’m overjoyed at what he’s saying.

"I've made a lot of mistakes in the name of money, son. A lot of mistakes period. But I'm trying to make it right. I never should have helped that slimy little shit the first time around. I've never liked that kid."

"Then why did you?"

He sighs, and I answer for him.

"Money?"

"Money."

"Thanks for helping me, Dad."

"It's the least I could do. And, it's got your mom talking to me again, so that's another plus."

My phone beeps, and I go on high alert when I see it’s Stella.

"Dad, I—I gotta let you go."

I accept the incoming call before he can say another word.

"Stella, what's wrong?" There has to be a reason for her to be calling so late. It's nearly ten o'clock. "Is everything okay?"

"I don't know." Her distress bleeds through loud and clear. "She's having a nightmare, and I can't wake her up. I don't know what to do!"

"I'm on my way," I say, flying out of the house barefoot and shirtless. The cold doesn't even phase me as the wind whips across my skin. I only have one thing on my mind, and that's getting to Emmalyn.

I don't remember anything about the drive to campus. I have no clue if I passed another car, saw a deer, nothing.

My sole focus was on getting to my girl.

The second I throw the car in park, I shoot off a text to Stella, and she rushes down to let me in. Wordlessly, we both rush back up to the third floor to their dorm.

I hear her before I see her, but I'm still stricken by the sight of her thrashing and crying. She's begging someone to stop, for them not to hurt her.

Rage, scalding liquid rage, pours through me, because I know exactly who she's dreaming about.

Stella looks at me helplessly. "I tried to calm her down. Tried to wake her up. It was no use. She just screamed louder anytime I touched her."

I nod so that she knows I hear her, fully entering the bedroom.

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