Page 30 of Flashback for the Forward

“Hi.” The woman at my side offered a shy wave, her cheeks having turned a dark shade of pink.

Maisie’s fingertips ghosted over her throat. “How did you get those bruises?”

Bridget’s lips folded inward. “The truth? A combination of bad luck and even worse decisions.”

Levi shifted uncomfortably, placing a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Maybe now’s not a good time, honey. We can come back another day.”

“Your dad’s right,” I agreed. “Can I take a raincheck?”

The girl nodded. “Yeah, okay.” To Bridget, she said, “It was nice meeting you. I hope you feel better soon.”

“I’ll see you out,” I declared, leading them from the kitchen.

When we reached the door, Levi handed his keys to Maisie. “I’ll meet you in the car.”

Once she was out of earshot, he turned to me. “You need me to help you bury a body?”

I raked a hand through my hair. “Can’t keep her safe if I’m behind bars.”

Levi hummed, jogging down the concrete steps toward the driveway. He paused with a hand on the driver’s side door handle, looking to where I stood on the open threshold. His lips parted as if he was going to say something, before they slammed shut again and he shook his head, getting into his car.

Clearly my teammate had more questions about my current situation, but I was grateful he had the good sense not to ask. Honestly, it was so complicated that I didn’t know how to untangle it so that Bridget and I could move forward from here.

But even if it took the rest of my life, I was going to figure it out.

She was worth it.

Hell, she was worth everything.

Chapter 9

Bridget

By the time the latching of the front door reached my ears, I’d already worked myself into a tizzy, pacing the kitchen and convincing myself that it was a terrible idea to have come here.

“Bridget?” Cole’s cautious voice called out from nearby.

“I have to go,” I blurted.

There were quiet footsteps as he moved closer. “Go? Go where?”

“Anywhere but here. I can’t stay.”

“Why don’t you slow down and take a breath?” he coaxed. “Tell me why you have the sudden urge to flee.”

Throwing my arms wide, I cried, “How can you ask me that after I freaked out so badly that I pulled a knife on a child? A child, Cole!”

He pulled in a deep breath. “You were caught off guard when you were already maxed out on anxiety. You didn’t mean Maisie any harm.”

When I’d heard those heavy footsteps on approach, I was convinced Aiden had found a way past Cole, and I reacted purely on instinct. As a result, I’d probably scarred that teenage girl for life.

I scoffed, disgusted with myself. “I’m too fucked up after everything Aiden put me through. I need to leave San Diego.”

There was just the not-so-little problem of being dead broke standing in my way. But maybe Cole could help with that.

“Can I borrow just enough money for a bus ticket? I promise once I get back on my feet, I’ll pay you back.”

His brow furrowed. “Will you tell me where you’re thinking of heading?”