I guess his dad didn’t think much of an eight-year-old who could beat his teenage son’s ass and decided to teach me a lesson. Busted me up so good I still have the scar through my eyebrow.
We were with that family for a little over a year, and he taught me a lot of “lessons” during that time. But the only thing I learned was bullies hit harder when you cry. They get off on the pain. So I taught myself how to lock it up tight and took the beatings with a smile on my face, knowing that as long as his attention was on me, it wasn’t on Lily.
On the plus side, he never bothered her again.
26
Alina
“Your brother’s comin’ home.”
I blink across the table at Daddy. He says it so casually, like Eli visits all the time. My fork is halfway to my mouth, but I place it back down without indulging. “I’m sorry?”
“Elliot’s comin’ home. Popped the question to that girlfriend of his. She wants to meet the family, see where he grew up. Look at a couple places to get hitched.”
My mouth is gaping. Did I fall asleep and wake up in some alternate universe? I would swear Daddy’s three sheets to the wind already, but he’s not slurring yet, so I know that isn’t the case. “Eli’s gettin’ married?”
Daddy nods, shoveling forkfuls of dinner into his mouth.
“Here?”
“Yes, here. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe ‘cause he hasn’t been home to see us since Mama died?” The words rush out, and I curse my lack of filter. Dang it.
Daddy’s eyes darken. I flinch from the sound of his fork clattering to the plate. His chair scrapes back as he walks to the cupboard next to the sink, taking out his trusty friend Jack and refilling his glass. His third since dinner started.
“Daddy, don’t you think you’ve had enough?”
“Enough of what? Speak plain words, girl. I don’t have time for your riddles.”
“You know what. Mama wouldn’t want this for you.”
He spins around, leaning his back against the counter as he brings the tumbler to his lips and takes a big gulp. “I try to share the good news that Elliot’s comin’ back around, and all you wanna talk about is your mama? Well, guess what, Alina, she’s dead. She ain’t comin’ back. We were drivin’ to your recital when we lost her forever. You better find it in you to forgive your brother. You can’t blame him for not wantin’ to be around when you’re the reason his mama is gone.”
I focus on my breathing. In and out. He doesn’t mean it. It’s not your fault.
I blink back the tears and murmur, “I just worry about you.”
He grunts, his nose already back in his glass, taunting me with his disregard.
And so it goes.
I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel about Eli coming home. I’m mad he told Daddy first and didn’t think to include me. I stomp outside, pulling up his name on my phone, pressing send before I can second guess myself.
“Hey, Lee.”
“Married, Eli? Really?”
I hear his heavy breath on the line. “Pops told you?”
“Yes, Daddy told me. What the heck, you can’t call and tell me yourself? Gotta send the town drunk to do your dirty work?”
“Don’t call him things like that.”
“Well, it’s the truth, Eli. Not that you’d know about it.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Don’t get me started on what’s fair.” Pure, hot anger blazes at his careless words. Must be nice out in Florida, with his fancy girl, and his fancy life. “You gonna tell me about your girl? Sarah, right?”
“Yeah, Sarah. And there’s not much to tell.”
I snort. “Not much to tell? You sure do sound real crazy over her.”
He sighs. “Crazy’s the last thing I’d want to feel. You’ll meet her soon, we’ll be down there in three weeks.”
“Three weeks?”
“Pops didn’t tell you that part?”
“Daddy doesn’t tell me much these days, Eli.”
I lean against the wall and temper the rage, telling myself it will be nice to have him back in town.
Once I get home, I draw a bath, my knotted muscles whining for relief. Dipping in the water is instant relaxation, and I lean back, submerging in the water. My fingers brush against my breast, making me suck in a breath at how sensitive they feel. I repeat the motion and my nipples tighten. A spike of pleasure shoots straight to my core as I lightly tease my areola. It feels good.
I continue the soft touch, closing my eyes as I remember the feel of Chase’s touch from the other day. I imagine his calloused fingers replacing mine to brush against my delicate flesh. A moan slips out as another burst of pleasure runs through me at the thought. My hand leaves my chest, sliding down, tickling my skin as I slip under the water and between my folds.
I ghost my middle finger over my clit and suck in a breath. I swipe over it again, pressing down lightly, biting my lip at the sensation. I pretend it’s Chase’s thick finger rubbing. Teasing. Sliding inside.
My core clenches, the muscles fluttering.
I press my palm down, rotating it, water sloshing as my hips push forward for more friction.
My breathing picks up as I picture Chase behind me, his hard chest against my back, his corded muscles wrapped around my waist while he holds me in place and plays me with his fingers. Whispers dirty words in my ear. I want his hands all over me. His arms surrounding me, his tongue tasting me. His thickness inside
