“I think I need to get it out. I haven’t told anyone what really happened. Other than the cops.” She hesitated. “Every time he’d get mad—” She lurched forward and swallowed hard. “He’d fuck his frustrations out on me. I was so weak Flynn. I never said no. But that time, I did. I pushed him away but it only made him angrier. He grabbed my hair and threw me against a wall. Grabbed my neck and pushed himself against me. I broke free, and he punched me in the face a couple of times. I don’t remember how, but I managed to get away from him. I ended up at Mags’ door. They sent me to the hospital and we did a police report. I got a two year restraining order. He was released from jail a couple of months ago.”
My muscles quivered. I wanted to beat the life out of the guy, and he fucking deserved it. If he was fucking around her, he’d better hope to God I never got my hands on him. Hot rage pulsed through me. “I’ll fucking kill him if he gets close to you again.”
Her body relaxed against me. “I know. I feel safe with you. I always have.”
“I’m so sorry, Evelyn. So fucking sorry I didn’t stay.”
“Don’t blame yourself. It was my mistake. One I’ll never make again.” She yawned before scooting down in the bed, dragging me down with her. My eyes widened as she snuggled up to me. “Can you hold me? Like you used to.”
I smiled, wrapping my arms around her. “Of course. Get some rest. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Promise?”
“I promise with my whole heart. I’ll never leave again.”
A few minutes later, she was sound asleep. I couldn’t help the anger that lingered within. I hadn’t known she’d been through something like that, but it fucking tore me up inside. Instead of sleeping, I stared at her peaceful form, and I vowed to protect her with my life.
Life wasn’t worth living without Evelyn, and I wished it hadn’t taken me so long to realize it.
I’d stayed with my parents for a week before the security system had been installed. They’d fussed over me and made sure I was comfortable the whole time. Mom had hinted toward Flynn being back in town and how grateful she was that he was there that night, much to Dad’s displeasure. The man was protective as ever, but I could understand why.
They’d dropped me back off at home and insisted on checking out the house before leaving me there. Dad went in and cleared it before he allowed Mom and me to go in. He’d hired someone to install a new, shatter-proof window in my kitchen. And he had them change all the windows in the house to the same material. I couldn’t say I wasn’t relieved.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Mom asked, her red hair hung straight down to her shoulders. I got my red hair from her, and couldn’t be more thankful. I got the curls from my dad.
I gripped the locket around my neck and nodded. “I’ll be fine. Flynn’s picking me up in about an hour anyway.”
“I don’t know why you’re going away with him,” Dad grumbled, pouting.
Mom nudged his shoulder with hers. “She’ll be fine. Although, I’d like to talk to him again. We haven’t seen him in a long time.”
“Fine my ass. He left her in the first place.” He ran a hand through his brown curls.
I rolled my eyes. “I explained all that to you.”
“Yeah, baby girl. But it doesn’t erase how it affected you back then. Your mom and I had to watch it all happen.”
My chest tightened. He was right about that. I was a broken mess for years after he left. “It won’t happen again. I trust him. Besides, we’re just going to the campground by the lake. We aren’t… involved again. Just catching up.”
“Like old friends.” Dad stuffed his hands in his pockets.
Mom laughed. “We’ll get out of your hair and let you pack. Have fun, honey!” She ushered my unwilling father out of the house.
I shook my head with a smile before heading to my room to pack for the trip. I’d been surprised when he’d mentioned it. We used to go camping together all the time. It was our favorite thing to do as a couple. Even if we weren’t together, it sure as hell felt like it.
Flynn picked me up a little bit after my parents had left and I’d finished packing. He drove us out to the campground and we picked our old spot on the beachside of the lake. He’d kept the tent from back then, and nostalgia spread through me as we pitched it.
The purple tent was fit for two adults, but it seemed smaller than I’d remembered as it sat about twenty feet from the lake’s shore. The cool winter air nipped at my face, and crept under my clothes, spreading across my skin. I yanked my wool cardigan tight around me. It was December, and I had no idea where the time had gone.
We made our way closer to the water. “I haven’t been camping out here since a few days before you left,” I said.
“You never came back?”
I shrugged. “It was too painful. Brought back a lot of memories of when we were together.” Looking through the waters of Violet Ridge Lake was like peering through glass. The stones at the muddy bottom were colored in hues of brown and grey. I’d missed it.
“I get that, but I’m here now.” He reached over and intertwined our hands. A small gasp escaped me as I glanced at him. “Is this okay?” he asked.
A small smile spread on my lips as I nodded. “It’s fine.”
Flynn grinned. “If it gets too cold tonight, we can head back to yours.”
I shook my head. “No way. It’s not that cold. Besides, we have a lot of
