Luke’s snores finally fill the room, and I slip out of bed, padding softly down the hall, fingers grazing the wall as I hold myself up. Flipping the light on in the bathroom, I grab the handle for the shower, turn it on, and let the water turn scalding hot. I’m no stranger to the pain that comes from this side of my life. My aching body is already sore from his abuse, and as I look at my reflection in the mirror, I grimace.
I look likeshit.
My lip is swollen, split in the center from where he bit me. I let my eyes trail lower to my right hip, noting the tear in my dress that shows finger marks. They’ll probably turn purple tomorrow. The worst of it would have to be my right cheek and temple. Sighing, I strip, laying the tattered remains of my garment on the floor.
After testing the water with my hand, I’m satisfied that it meets my required level of hot, so I step in and let it cascade down my back. It doesn’t take long for me to break down. Tears start angrily spilling down my cheeks, and I cup my face in the palm of my hands, sliding down the shower wall.
I’ve never felt so fucking lonely in all my life.
The thought comes unbidden, wrenching a sob from my chest. The humiliation, the stress, and the wrath I’m feeling all come pouring out of me.
Only when the water turns cold do I move out of the shower, wrap a towel around my body, and walk back down the hall. Luke doesn’t even stir when I enter the room. I walk across the room to my walk-in closet, throwing a pair of sweats and an oversized shirt on before climbing into bed.
It’s a long time before I’m able to get comfortable. So, while darkness permeates the room, I listen to Luke’s soft snores. Rain hits the window, tapping relentlessly, as a flash of lightning is followed by aloud boom that shakes the entire house. Shivering, I wrap the edge of the blanket around me tightly.
After hours, I feel myself drifting off into a fitful sleep. I welcome the darkness, gladly accepting its comforting embrace, and let it swallow me whole.
I’m fucking livid. It’s obvious to everyone around me, but I can’t seem to get a grip on my emotions. I finally listened to my instincts this morning, following Averie inside after her walk, and now I know why she’s been giving us the cold shoulder for the last five days.
She still won’t answer the question burning at the forefront of my mind. No, Averie is playing dumb, pretending she didn’t hear the question at all. It’s fucking infuriating. Even more infuriating, I have the distinct impression that Luke is responsible. I can’t explain it, but my gut screams he’s the cause.
Averie is seated at the island counter, still dressed in leggings and a thick sports bra. She doesn’t seem like she’s okay. She looks despondent, and I’m not sure I can pull her out of it.
I want to help, god, I do. I just don’t know her situation, and I certainly shouldn’t be the one trying to console her right now. Fuck, I should’ve left it alone, but I couldn’t stand to see her hurting. The shades she’s wearing do nothing to hide the vicious bruise at her temple. My gaze trails lower, to her luscious lips that appear cracked and split. Then, even lower, noting how her hands are clenched so tightly that her knuckles are white. “Leave it alone, Jettson.”
The words are soft, edged with a bitterness that feels hollow. “No,” I say, before invading her space. The flinch is what breaks me, has me second guessing my decisions, and equally pisses me off in the same breath. She doesn’t move, she doesn’t even look at me, she only trembles. Averie’s chin wobbles, and I don’t miss the tears falling down her face. My breath hitches, and I swallow hard. Before I can stop myself, my thumb catches the stray tears, wiping them away.
Averie sucks in a breath, then leans into my touch. “What happened?” I repeat, refusing to let my question go. I cup the side of her face, caressing her cheek and pour every bit of calm I can into my touch.
She shudders, her bottom lip quivering again, before exhaling slowly. It’s like she’s trying to calm herself, and I wonder if she suffers from anxiety. “Breathe.” The command leaves my lips, and Averie sucks in another shallow breath. “No,deeply. I need you to take a deep breath, hold it for three seconds, and then release.” She does exactly what I say, taking a deeper breath, holding it, and then releasing slowly. “Now, repeat,” I say quietly, counting with her for two more breaths, watching with shaking hands as she works to calm down.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, moving away from my touch before sliding the sunglasses off her face. She stares at me head-on, her bottom lip still trembling, and the intense desire to claim her mouth in a kiss courses through me. I nearly groan until I hear the following words from her mouth.
“I took a tumble down the front steps and cracked my head on the bottom step. Clumsy me,” she says with a sad smile, avoiding my gaze. I don't know why she’s lying to me. We both know it wasn’t a fall that didthis.
She rises from her spot at the island counter, moving toward the fridge, grabbing two water bottles, and setting one in front of mebefore sliding back onto her stool. Averie takes a sip from her bottle, eyeing me like she knows I don’t believe her for a second. “Do you mind checking the railing on the left side? I think it’s a little loose from my fall.”
Leaning toward her, I narrow my eyes. “You and I both know that you didn’t fall. It depends on how truthful you want to be with me. I can get you help—”
“I don’tneedyour help. I need you to do your fuckingjob,” Averie says, her eyes flashing in warning.
Damnit if she isn’t breathtakingly angry.
“Let’s go,” I say, gently tugging her up from her seat at the island. Her gaze turns suspicious, the heat instantly dissipating, but it’s of no matter. She’ll learn to trust me. I wouldn’t ever lay a finger on her, and I think she knows it.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” I don’t explain further, instead wrapping an arm around her waist, ushering her toward the front door. The sun is shining brightly, the landscape equally picturesque, and I need to get her out of that goddamn house. I lead her gently down the steps, taking her small hand in mine as we make our way to the lake. Wind blows gently, swaying the boughs of the trees, fluttering through the grass like an eel through water.
I pause, taking my boots and socks off, and gesturing for her to do the same. Once we’re situated, I lace my fingers in hers and pull her toward the water's edge. I’ve always loved the feeling of sand against my feet and how the water seems to calm the storm raging in my mind. When our feet hit the water, I turn to her, taking both of her hands in mine.
I don’t know why this matters so fucking much, why it’s so goddamn important for me to tell her that it’s not her fault. I don’t know,and I don’t fucking care. I can’t keep pretending I don’t see what’s happening right in front of me.
It’s obvious to me that she’s being abused.
And no matter what I keep telling Averie, I can’t seem to fucking stay away. “It’s not your fault,” the words slip from my lips quicker than I’d intended. Averie stares at me, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes, and despite it, defiance in the way she tilts her chin up, refusing to lower her gaze. “It’s not your fucking fault,” I repeat, grabbing hold of her chin, holding her captive with my eyes. “You did nothing to deserve this type of treatment.”
She glowers at me, jerking her chin out of my hand. A cry wrenches from her chest, and she balls her fists up. I have a pretty good idea of where her head is, and I refuse to let some asshole diminish the light I saw growing inside her over the last couple of weeks. So, I do the only thing I can think of. I pull her into a hug.