Page 46 of Take Me to Church
“I’m here.” I grab my purse and go for the door. “Where are you?”
“Do you remember the old tree that fell down when we were little? The one we used to walk across and pretend it would take us into a different world?”
“Yes.” The memory makes my chest ache. It’s so hard to imagine us as little girls, already aware enough of the futures waiting for us. Futures we dreamed of escaping.
“I’m there, but I know they’re going to be looking for me soon. You’ve got to hurry.”
“I’m on my way now. We’ll be there as fast as we can.”
I hear someone yelling in the background, but the sound is distant enough that I hope they haven’t already found Myra’s hiding place. “Just stay hidden and be very quiet.”
“I have to hang up now and turn my phone off so they can’t ping it.”
“Okay. I’m coming. I love—” The call disconnecting cuts me off. For a second I just stand there, devastated by the possibility these might be the last words I have with my sister and I wasn’t even able to finish telling her I love her.
“We’ve gotta move, Sweetheart.” Christian grips my arm, the touch firm and steadying as he leads me out into the hall, rapping four times on the door of the room right next to ours before going straight to the elevator. Simon rushes from the room and follows behind us, jumping in the second the doors open and punching the floor for Tate and Piper’s room. We’re silent as we hurry down the hall, summoning them with the same four strike knock he used on Simon’s door.
The muffled sound of voices on the other side of the door stops at the interruption and a second later Tate stares out at us. No one says anything, but he turns to where Piper stands in the middle of the room, looking ready to commit murder. “It’s time to go.”
“To go?” Piper holds her arms out and looks down at the shorty shorts and tank top she’s wearing. “I thought you said I needed a whole new wardrobe because I look like a whore.”
“That’s not what I said and you know it.” Tate pushes past us, ignoring Piper’s continued argument. “I can’t deal with her.” He and Simon stalk down the hall, punching the button for the elevator.
For once, I’m irritated by Piper’s argumentative nature. Normally I hope a little of it will wear off on me, but right now it’s wasting time. “Myra called. We know where she is. It’s time to go get her.” I back away, ready to run as fast as I can. “You can stay here.”
“No fucking way am I staying here.” Piper grabs her own purse before running out of the room, leaving the door to close behind her. “I came all the way here to fuck somebody up. I’m not missing out on that chance.”
The doors to the elevator are just opening when we get there and we all pile in, riding it down to the main floor before racing out into the parking lot. I ride in Tate’s SUV again, but this time Christian is right beside me, sitting close as we pull away. Simon takes his truck, following behind us in what appears to be a perfectly orchestrated system. One it’s clear they’ve used before.
“Where are we going?” Christian’s palm rests on the flat of my back, smoothing slow circles against my skin through the fabric of my sundress.
“My father owns a cabin near Lake Greeson. About half a mile up the road from the cabin is a ravine. She’s there.” I struggle to sit still as Christian gives Tate directions, taking him straight to the location he must remember as well as I do.
It’s only about twenty minutes away, but it feels like forever, every second ticking past agonizingly slow. Every minute might be the one they find her. Considering where she’s at,theywill include my father, and the possibility of him getting his hands on Myra right now is terrifying. Since I left, she’s the only daughter he has for leverage. And he will do whatever it takes to keep her under his control.
Unfortunately for him, I’ll do anything to get her away.Havedone anything to get her away.
“We’re almost there.” Christian’s presence and soothing voice are an anchor, the only thing keeping me from completely losing my mind as we slow down to safely navigate the winding roads. “It won’t be long.”
“It’s already been long.” The second Myra was married off to Matthias I knew I would have to leave alone. It’s why I didn’t leave the day I turned eighteen. Deep down I hoped something would happen and we could still go together, but as time went on I discovered not everyone was as comfortable walking away from everything they’ve known as I was.
Not that it was easy for me. I was terrified. But I was more terrified of staying. Of marrying a man whose presence disgusted me and being forced to service him in every way imaginable.
“I understand.” Christian doesn’t try to reassure me, just reminds me at least one person in this car does know what I’ve been through. Has been through it himself.
Piper twists in the front seat, reaching her hand back through the gap to grab mine, squeezing it tight. We’ve been friends since the day I moved to Memphis and answered her ad looking for a roommate, but until today she only knew bits and pieces of what my life was really like before we met. I know a lot of what I said on the ride here shocked her, and part of me wondered if it might make her look at me differently.
It didn’t.
It did, however, piss her all the way off to discover exactly what I’d been told my place was in this world. And I’m pretty sure if she could figure out how to make it happen, Piper would be driving a bus through Mountain Oak with a megaphone right now, collecting any woman ready to walk away from the bullshit.
I hate that one of Rodney’s people scared her today, but I’m so grateful she’s here with me right now. Her bravery makes me feel brave. Like maybe I’d be right there beside her on that bus.
I squeeze her hand back, letting myself soak up her support. She’s had my back from the beginning, helping me find a job, reaching out to her family for secondhand furniture so I could have a bed and a nightstand. Even now, her life has been turned upside down by me, and she’s still right here at my side.
“Thank you for being here with me.” I blink a few times at the burn of tears edging my eyes.
“Shut the fuck up. You are my best friend. I’m your ride or die.” Piper responds in true Piper fashion, and I love her even more for the tiny bit of relief I feel as she breaks the tension with humor and sarcasm.
