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“Okay,” I whisper, still not sure if I can do what he has. But what choice do I have? I have to keep going.

“You know what I admire about you?”

The corner of my mouth lifts a tiny bit. “I can’t imagine.”

“Stop. That’s the next thing we’re going to work on. You need to change the way you talk about yourself.”

“Are you going to tell me what you admire or not?”

He looks me in the eye, still holding my face in his hands. “I’m proud of you for taking responsibility for your actions. You nevertry to put the blame on your parents, or anyone else for that matter.”

I’ve been trying to tell them that I’m the problem. It’s all on me. I’m the one who led myself down the path of regret. I’m glad to see he agrees.

“But believe me when I say the blame lies at their feet.”

I shake my head to argue. This is not where I thought this was going, but he holds me still.

“Listen to me. Your parents neglected you. You hear me? You should not have been alone. It left you vulnerable and emotionally deprived. They should have gone to jail for it. Maybe they still should.”

The thought terrifies me. I don’t want them to go to jail. I love them.

His eyes soften, but he continues to be firm with me. “And anyone who knowingly took more than you were willing to give, they deserve the same fate.”

My entire body tenses, because that’s not what I want. “I just want something different. I don’t want to live that life anymore, but I certainly don’t want anyone to get in trouble for my own stupidity.”

He grimaces. “The choice is yours. But if you’re going to let everyone else get away shame free, then you have to give yourself the same grace.” His hands fall away. “That’s the deal.” He crosses his arms over his chest.

“Whose deal?”

“The people who are going to look out for you from now on. Your new family.”

“And what if Ash and I don’t work out?”

“Makes no difference, but he’s part of this family too. So if you and Ash ever end, it better be amicably.”

His words give my heart a little pang of anxiety. An end means there’s a beginning.

Have Ash and I really begun?

Chapter Thirteen

Lexie

Istumble to the kitchen table, not looking at anyone. A grumble leaves my lips as I lower myself into the one remaining chair. “Morning.”

I’m doing my best to be respectful. These people deserve it. They haven’t failed me yet. I’m just embarrassed as hell about my meltdown last night, but I still have to face them. Slowly, I raise my eyes. My heart stops as my gaze catches on something on the table.

“Oh my god,” I groan, grabbing the cup and taking a loud, long, slurpy drink of my favorite iced coffee. I’d be ashamed of the noises I’m making if it didn’t taste so good. Cinnamon bursts over my tongue, sending a shot of dopamine straight to my brain.

“Ash always gets it just right,” I say with a satisfied smack of my lips when I finally come up for air.

Three set of eyes stare at me. Dirk slowly raises his eyebrow. “I guess that answers our question of who left the coffee and donuts on our doorstep.”

“There’s donuts?!” The excitement in my voice is obvious, and by the looks on their faces it surprises them.

It’s coffeeanddonuts. How could I not be ecstatic?

Jesse laughs and heads over to the counter to grab them. When she opens the box, an even bigger smile breaks over my face.