Page 21 of Hard Focus
“Judy told me you had something to say that I should hear.” Connie blinked. “Judy.” She shook her head. “The ER nurse? That Judy?”
Connie remembered how the friendly caring of the nurse had changed once she knew Connie’s association with Jonas, and then how it had changed again once she told her she’d broken up with him.That has to be it. Decided, she movedforwardswith the information she thought he’d come to hear. “I broke up with him. Nearly two weeks ago now. Days before the wreck. I broke up with him.”
Taylor made a surprised sound, then asked, “What does this have to do with your jerk of a boyfriend?”
“Cole’s sister was his ex.” Even as she spoke them, Connie wondered how those words would explain anything, then Cole took it a step farther, his words even more bewildering to her.
“She was dating Jonas Thompson.”
Alden sounded like someone had punched him in the stomach and she looked at him. His face had gone grayandhe was holding a hand out in front of him in a defensive move. Taylor’s reaction was also audible as he whispered, “Oh my God,” with none of his usual humor. She twisted to look at him. His eyes were wide, whites showing all around. “You were dating Jonas Thompson?” Connie nodded slowly. Taylor’s mouth flattened to a thin line. “You never said his name, and I didn’t ask. I just called him a jerk.” His gaze flew to Alden, and his next words confused her even more. “I swear I didn’t know, baby. I didn’t know.” Taylor’s arm loosened, and he was off the couch and beside Alden within two long strides. “I didn’t know it was him.”
“Alden? What’s going on?”
“Connie.” Cole called her name. “You really don’t know? Judy said you didn’t, but I…that’s just hard to believe.” Shaking her head, Connie dragged her gaze from Alden to Cole and saw he was back to studying her, his expression intense. He asked again, “You have no idea?”
“No. I don’t know what’s going on.” Connie pulled the blanket around her shoulders, huddling into the illusion of warmth it offered. She felt naked, shaking, trembling as she sat there on the couch with three men staring at her in disbelief. “Someone, please. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Audrey Stewart is my sister.”
She nodded at Cole. “I know. But I don’t know what me dating Jonas has to do with anything.” Connie shrugged helplessly. “They share a child. That’s nothing to do with me.”
“Don’t,” Alden said abruptly. “Don’t tell her like this.”
Cole ignored him and took a step towards Connie. Balled fists on either hip, he glared at her with that hateful expression she was most accustomed to from him. “Jonas Thompson attacked and raped my sister.” She gasped,andhe pulled in a ragged breath. “Adrianne, little innocent Addy. Addy who I love with every breath in my body, she’s the product of that rape. They weren’t dating, weren’t a thing. She didn’t even know him before he forced her. My sister is being made to share custody of that little girl with the animal who assaulted her. The most heinous act a man can do, and you were dating him as if he were normal. Just like any other man. He’s not, though. He’s a monster.”
Connie stared at him for a moment, mouth open in shock.
Jonas raped Audrey. The thought circled round and round inside her head without finding anywhere to land. She felt lightheaded, dizzy as her breathing sped up. So many things suddenly made so much more sense.
The fear she could sense from Audrey.
Why the door didn’t open until someone was there to stand between her and the man standing on her front sidewalk.
The disdain the Stewarts held for Connie.
Even Adrianne’s tentative manner around Jonas made sense. His complaints that Addy only opened up when Connie was there. His demand that Conniebeavailable on the weekends of visitation. How his visitation would be curtailed if he didn’t toe the letter of the law.
The controlled rage of Audrey’s brothers, forced to witness their sister’s repeated interactions with the man who had hurt her, but unable to retaliate any other way.
Jonas raped Audrey.
Connie’s mind flew to her last interactions with him. How angry he’d been at her. He’d threatened her, followed her, forced his way into her apartment. He’d been filled withan angerhe’d physically directed at her. Connie rubbed her wrist, flinching at the faint ache of the bruising.
Jonas raped Audrey.
Oh, God. I’m going to be sick. Her stomach lurched and, throat burning, she forced the bile back down.
“Out.” She flung the covers aside and stood abruptly, pointing towards the door. “Everyone out. I want everyone to leave.”
“Connie.” Taylor started to speak, and she silenced him with a shout.
“Out!”I was dating a man who raped a woman. “Get out, Taylor.”
Oh, God. I slept with him.
“I’m not leaving.” Alden’s voice was firm, and she whirled on him, staggering sideways as she tried to recapture her abruptly elusive balance. Nothing made sense, and the room reeled around her.
“Get out. Get out now.” She placed both hands against Alden’s shoulder and shoved.I sympathized with him. “Get out.”
