AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I grin because I’m sure Sterling will need a littleguy timeafter going to Ivie’s this evening. He went to ask her forgiveness, and although I know she will—or at least, I think she will—he won’t get it easily. She’ll take her time, I know her. I also know the pain and fear she’s lived in waiting on him to wake up and realize his mistake so they can finally have a chance at real happiness. “I’m sure he’ll only want the two of you around tonight. I’ll be fine here with Rocky. Besides, no one knows I’m here. Don’t worry about me.” I flash him my most convincing smile.
He steps toward me and hesitates. “Call me if you need me…or anything at all. I’m not
sure I want to leave you after the night you’ve had.” His blue eyes bore into mine, searching for the truth. A truth I’m not willing to tell just yet. “We’re still going to talk. You need to tell me what happened.” His features harden as if he’s masking anger.
“Tate—” I start but he cuts me off by closing the space between us and brushes the back of his hand over my cheek.
“Don’t overthink it, Lucy. You’re safe here with me. You can trust me.” I swallow against the burning in my throat as I try to stifle the urge to cry. This man is out of his mind if he thinks I can trust him. I trust he won’tphysicallyhurt me, but emotionally is a different matter altogether. Not to mention, he doesn’t need to get in the middle of my mess. He barely knows me.
He drops his hand and walks away. I stay still, my feet planted firmly on the hardwood. Rocky jumps down and sits at my feet, as if sensing my pain. I lower to my knees, and he licks my cheek. “Thanks, Rocky. I can trust you can’t I, buddy?” I scratch him behind the ears again. His tail thumps the hardwood as I hear my phone beep. I check it and almost drop it. My dad, well Steve. Why is he texting me? I quickly check the message.
Dad:Hey Lucy. I just talked to your mom. Can I call you?
Me:Sure.
Almost immediately, my phone rings. “Hello?”
“Hey, honey. Your mom told me what happened. Are you okay?” He sounds like he did before he left. Why does he care now? I don’t get it. I’m getting whiplash from all the men in my life.
“I’ve been better, but I’ll be fine…always am. You taught me I had to be,” I say hoping he’ll feel even the slightest bit of remorse for how he left me.
“I’m sorry, Lucy, truly. I’m coming home to see your mom—and you, if you’ll let me.” I reach for the bed to make sure it’s there to catch my weight. When I drop onto it, I can’t stop the angry tear sliding down my cheek. I won’t let him hurt me again, and facing him, especially now, is not something I’m sure I can do. I swallow and compose myself enough to answer.
“I don’t know. I’m trying to process literally everything in my life right now. You walked out on me and didn’t look back. What do you want? I don’t understand why you want to see us.”
The line goes silent for a few seconds. “Lucy, we need to talk. All of us.”
“Whatever. I have to go.” I hang up before he can say anything else, lying back on the bed, staring at the ceiling in shock for a few minutes before deciding to shower and call it a night. I get everything in the bathroom ready and take a quick shower. When I get out, I wipe the steam from the mirror and see the fading bruises on my arms and even my inner thighs. I have one on my ribs too. I lean in closer and examine my face. When I look myself in the eye, I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me. She’s weak. She’s haunted, beaten, and battered as much on the inside as the out. She doesn’t know who she can trust. She’s lost her spark.
Who am I now?Am I Steve McCree’s daughter, the one who wasn’t enough for her dad? Am I Rhett Davis’s daughter, the one claimed to be cherished but kept secret? Am I Phoebe McCree’s daughter, the woman who stepped out on her husband and got pregnant? The woman who lied to keep her family together, but lost it anyway?
Am I the girl Taylor tore down piece by piece and left broken? My whole life is full of secrets and lies and broken dreams. Where do I go from here? I don’t know any of the answers, but I do know—hiding the truth is killing me.
Dean and I stayed the night with Sterling. He wanted to be bummed when he got home from seeing Ivie, but we wouldn’t let him. I have to give it to Dean; he truly loves both Sterling and Ivie. He stepped aside and put away his feelings—even though he hasn’t had a claim on Ivie since high school—and is rooting for them to work things out, even though he learned the whole truth about their past. In my opinion, that act of love and selflessness means he’s meant for something much better than he knows. I hope he finds it soon. He deserves it.
Both Sterling and Dean tried to mess with me about Lucy, saying I’m falling for her. Little do they know, she’s at my house. If they did, I wouldn’t hear the end of it.And little do they know, they’re closer to the truth than I care to admit.I shake the thought away as quickly as it appears. I’m not the type to commit, and I refuse to drag Lucy into what that means. She deserves more than I could ever offer her.
I’ve got to keep myself in line. Last night, I wanted nothing more than to kiss those full, pouty lips of hers. If I were to ever give in, it would be hard to stop. Almost impossible. The thought alone of her toned body pressed against mine feeds my desire for her. I can’t let that happen. She’s had enough pain in her life to last forever.And I can’t change, for her or anyone else. No, I have to stick to being just her friend and help her. Protect her…even from me.
My phone rings on the way back to my house. The caller ID says it’s my father. Blowing out a frustrated breath, I answer. “Hey, Dad.”
“Tate, son, you didn’t come for Thanksgiving, and you haven’t been returning my calls.” He sounds sober this morning. That’s good at least.
“I’ve been busy. It wasn’t intentional.” It’s all I give him until I know where this is going.
“Well, I’d like to see you. We need to talk,” he tells me calmly, almost sounding like the man I thought he was. Strong and true.
“I’ll swing by soon, but I need to go for now—mornings on the ranch are busy,” I deadpan.
“Okay, son. Call me when you’re coming. And don’t wait too long, please.”
“I promise. I’ll talk to you soon.” I hang up as I pull up in front of my house. Closing my eyes, I shut out the memory ofherand what she did. It’s been months since I’ve seen Dad or talked to him more than a few words. After the last time I had to get him from lock-up because he got too drunk and started a fight in the bar he frequents, I made it clear I was done. I’m tired of being his damn baby-sitter. So, I have no idea what he wants now.
I walk into the house and it’s silent. I make my way quietly to the bedroom Lucy’s staying in. Rocky’s on the end of the bed and she’s still sleeping. Rocky lifts his head when he sees me and hops down, stopping to glance back at Lucy as she rolls over. When she does, she exposes a slim shoulder. I walk away and back into the kitchen before I can see any more. Rocky follows and looks at me expectantly. “Thanks, boy. Thanks for keeping an eye on her.” He looks at me like he understands. “You know, don’t you? You can sense her pain. I bet you didn’t leave her side all night, did you?” I rub him and lean over to touch my head to his. “Good boy, Rocky. Now let’s get you fed and let you out.” I let him out to use the bathroom and refill his food and water bowls.
“Rocky?” I hear a sleep-laced voice from down the hall. Lucy enters the kitchen wearing black shorts which barely cover anything and a white spaghetti-strap top that’s loose but slightly see through, allowing me to see her nipples. I suck in my breath as she meets my eyes, trying to fight the stirring below my belt. Her emerald eyes widen in surprise. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting me to be here right now. I know I wasn’t expecting the sight in front of me. I try to think about anything other than how much I want to take her right here, right now in my kitchen.
I manage to speak. “Uh, Rocky’s outside, he’ll be right back. I was about to cook some breakfast and make coffee. You want some?” Suddenly, she tries to cover herself by crossing her arms, bringing my attention to the still fading handprint bruises. She sees me staring and starts to turn by stepping with her left leg which is when I see the same handprint bruises on her thighs.
