Kind of like high school.
He’d been nice enough to me, but he hadn’t tried to be my friend or get to know me, Tulip Johnson. Crazy J.
“Miss Johnson, we’d like to conduct our own investigation into the identity of Charlie Woods’s abuser. Can we meet to talk?”
Not when I’d been up all night. “Want to find out Charlie’s abuser? Let’s see, since they couldn’t keep a nanny, I’d ask the Stepford mom exactly how Charlie got his bruises.”
Luna was quiet on the other end. Was she taking notes, or did she have the blank look my court-appointed attorney had given me?
There was a knock at the door.
“For the love of God, can’t a girl get some rest around here?”
“Excuse me, Miss Johnson?”
“Not you. Look, I’m tired and I have to talk to Mr. Halstengard about this arrangement first. But unless you’re going to be the kind of lawyer who cares that I don’t end up in jail, who’ll gun for the real abuser, and who’ll legal-speak my parents into the ground for what they said about me, I may as well stick with my listless court-appointed attorney. Thanks.” I tossed the phone on the nightstand and went to answer the door Luna already forgotten. Why get her hopes up?
I didn’t bother to check who it was. Last time had turned out pretty swell, it’s not like it could be worse. I was a hardened criminal now, could take whatever was on the other side of that door.
A rumpled-looking Flynn greeted me. His gaze drank me in like a man starved of water, but I steeled myself. I needed my fortitude to fight the good fight, and from what I’d learned the last time we were together, the good fight wasn’t Flynn.
“I, uh… Did a lawyer get ahold of you?”
I draped one hand on the doorknob and the other on my hip. “You’ll have to be more specific, Flynn. I suddenly have a lot of lawyers in my life.”
“Her name is—”
“Luna something or other. Yes. I don’t want your charity.” But, dammit, I needed it.
“She’s yours. Let her defend you. I get what I did was—”
“What’d you do, Flynn?” I wiggled my fingers by my ears. “Lemme hear it. Because,” I barked out a laugh, “it’s not like anyone else has. Did you know Wes and Mara knew nothing about us? It’s almost August, Flynn. What’s that make it? Like, two months since we first had sex?”
“I told you that I’m a private man.”
“You weren’t supposed to be private with me. I told you my story at the cabin and you neglected to clarify that your sister didn’t die. That you’re paying off your mom—”
“I’m not bribing her to stay quiet.”
I wanted to hear the whole story, but I had enough drama in my life. “It’s not my business. I’d just urge you to develop a relationship with your sister. For her sake and yours, but not for mine.”
He nodded, a muscle jumping in his jaw. “Tilly, I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you are.” I could hardly look at him or I’d soften. Had he slept any the whole weekend? “Look, I’ll work out a payment plan to reimburse you for Luna’s legal fees. I have to pay Mara back first.”
“You don’t owe me anything. You deserve an apology.”
“And you already gave it. Thank you.” I yawned and it wasn’t for effect. “I’ve been up all night and I’m very tired. Thanks again, Flynn.”
“Tilly, d-d-don’t block me out. We can get through this, together. I-I love you.”
I stilled and met his earnest emerald gaze. Why was the admission hard for him to say? Did he even know what love should be like? I could crumble and throw myself into his arms, and I had a strong impulse to do just that. But while he might love me, he still wasn’t offering things my upbringing had taught me to treasure, like respect, trust, and honesty. The drive to move heaven and earth to take care of the one you loved.
Flynn might love me, but he lacked the rest.
“And I love you, too, Flynn. But you know what? It’s not enough. My parents loved me, too. I truly think they did. No, you’re nothing like them, but in a way, you are. I want your acceptance. I want your respect. I want you to make an effort at a real relationship. You love me. I believe you love your sister. But until you learn how to be in a relationship of any kind, I can’t do this.” I swiped at a tear rolling down my cheek. Flynn’s expression grew bleak. “I fought for my childhood and now I have to fight for my adulthood and I won’t settle for pretty words. I…I want to know I’m safe with you.”
“I got the lawyer…”
She leveled her gaze on him, let him see how serious she was. “Did you do that after I was arrested?” His silence was my answer. “Do you know what that tells me? That you waited to see if it’d all blow over and you could save your precious account. So your lawyer is too little too late. And I understand if you pull her help because it’s not winning me back. But I’m done being your little secret.”
Stepping back to shut the door, I risked one last glance.
His hair stuck up in all directions, shadows hung under his eyes, and his shoulders drooped. He was far removed from the brawny roofer of a few weeks ago. “Tilly. I’ll do anything.”
I swallowed hard. “You had your chance. You had so many chances,” I said raggedly.
The door clicked shut. I hung my head.
That should’ve been the hardest thing I had to do, but it wasn’t even close.
Chapter
