Page 85 of Split You Open

The next punch is to my throat.

She begins to land blows everywhere. Over and over again I’m struck. There’s nowhere that I’m not hit. My ribs, my chest, my face—nothing is safe. Any breath, shallow or deep, is stolen until I’m gaping like a fish. Blood, sweat, and saliva splatters across the ground but that doesn’t stop Blair.

It’s not until Santi steps forward and wraps his arms around her waist to lift and drag her away, that Blair’s assault stops. From my knees, I collapse onto the floor, breathing heavily. My left eye is swelling, leaving my vision blurry.

“Let me go! I’m not finished!”

“We got our answers, cariño,” he tells her, his voice low and soothing. “Let’s go walk this off.”

Wes steps forward to help usher Blair out of the room. “Your knuckles are split open. Let me wrap them up for you, baby girl.”

Santi, Wes, and Blair exit the room, leaving me alone with Rhett. I turn to face him. My body shakes from pain but still, I implore him to hear me.

“Rhett… I gave you a sister,” I rasp out. “She’s not Abby, but she’s incredible and you can love her just like⁠—”

“Shut your fucking mouth.”

Rhett doesn’t look at me. He watches as the others head up the stairs. It’s not until they’ve closed the door behind them that he gives me his attention. It’s a brief glance but I can see the malice in his eyes.

“Watching Blair handle your betrayal was one of the hardest things I’ve ever endured,” he admits as he sucks in a deep breath.

I cringe. “I didn’t want to hurt her.”

A chill weaves down my spine at the thought of causing Blair any type of pain. That was always my biggest fear. It’s why I couldn’t have her myself. I’m so fucked up that I knew I could be the one to hurt her.

But this, all this that’s happened, it was so I could protect her from me, yet still give her everything.

“Well, you did,” Rhett snaps as he reaches down and helps me to my feet.

I stagger back into the cage. Quickly, he unlocks the cuffs, allowing me a small taste of freedom before he steps back. The cage door shuts with an ominous bang behind him.

Rhett turns and begins to leave the room. He pauses by the hidden door, and looks back over his shoulder at me. “You’ll never hurt her again, Ledger. If you do, I’ll personally put you six feet down.”

Twenty

Wesley

We’re both silent as I treat Blair’s knuckles.

But while she’s quiet, I wouldn’t consider Blair calm. She sits there stiff, with her jaw clenched, breathing measured, and her eyes unreadable. Given everything that Ledger’s confessed, I’m sure she’s still trying to wrap her head around it all.

I know I am.

Conflicting emotions battle inside of me. I’m sure Ledger told us the truth. There was no need for him to lie. It’s just… the truth was ugly.

The sheer audacity of Ledger to be so nonplussed about it all was probably the worst blow tonight. He really believes he’s done the right thing. The only hesitation he gave was when he noticed Blair wasn’t receiving the news as he anticipated—however that may be.

Did he think she would be grateful? Amused?

Does he not know her at all?

I finish bandaging Blair’s knuckles and box up the first aid supplies strewn over my bed. She carefully flexes her hands then mutters, “Thanks.”

Rather than reply, I leave her in my room to put the first aid kit away and to grab her some hot chocolate. When I return, I find Blair has changed into one of my shirts, her clothes—stained with Ledger’s blood—are folded by the door, and she’s leaning back against the headboard.

Her head turns in my direction but it's clear her thoughts are a mile away. When I hand Blair the mug, she takes it automatically. After watching her take a sip, I start to undress for the evening too. When I’m in pajama bottoms, I slide into the bed beside her. Tired of her silence, I scoop Blair up into my arms. She gasps as I drag her onto my lap, taking great care to keep the hot chocolate in the mug as I move her.

“Talk to me, baby girl.”