Page 98 of Dismantle & Prevail

Rayne’s chest begins to rise and fall rapidly as she finally realizes just how chaotic everything around her truly is.

“Y-yes, please. But—” Her words trail off, but with a soft swipe of Ari’s hand against her knee, she perks up slightly. “Will my mommy be there?”

I have to look away for a moment, so she doesn’t see the disgust written clearly on my face.

Ari, being the more controlled of the two of us, nods. “She can be.”

Tears start to fall rapidly down Rayne’s face, catching Ari and I off guard. “Rayne. What happened? Did we say something to upset you, sweetheart?” I ask, leaning over Ari to brush away her tears. My shoulder screams in pain and I feel a wave of nausea wash over me, but I ignore it.

Rayne shakes her head. “I don’t like my mommy. She is really mean, but n-no one ever believed me. I know hate is a bad word, but I hate my mommy. She is the meanest person I’ve ever met and so is Clay.”

The taste of blood fills my mouth, and I have to press my body into Ari.

Taking a deep breath, he stands to his full height, snaking his arm behind my back to hold me steady.

I reach around him to tap his heart, letting him know I’m okay.

Rayne looks up to Ari, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks.

“Raynie, can I pick you up?”

“Y-Yes.” The words are barely out of her mouth before Ari is lifting her into his arms.

Ari holds her tight against his chest and Rayne buries her face in his neck as sobs overtake her.

The flood gates let loose, and Ari’s cries overtake him.

Blindly, Ari reaches out for me, pulling me into his chest.

Together, all three of us stand wrapped in Ari’s arms.

My control snaps and I let the tears flow.

The weight of the world falls away and all that’s left in its wake is seeing my best friend finally reuniting with his first love.

A kiss is placed atop my head and I rest my head on Ari’s chest. “I love you, Butterfly.”

“I love you too, Ace,” I say, staring glassy eyed at the man I love most in this entire world.

Lifting my good arm, I brush a comforting touch against Rayne’s back, causing her to look down at me, then up at Ari.

The second their like eyes meet, Ari’s head falls to rest against hers. “I’m so sorry I failed you, sweetheart. I promise it will never happen again. I promise from this moment on, you will see that life is supposed to be happy. You will never have to worry about someone being mean to you ever again. You are safe with me and Taylor. I am so, so sorry.”

Rayne nods and I know she may not entirely understand the gravity of the situation, but I can tell by her change in breathing, she knows she is finally safe.

Leaning back, Ari places a kiss on Raynie’s forehead. “I have an idea.”

“What?” Rayne and I ask simultaneously.

“How about we go get something to eat? Maybe some ice cream? Then go back to my house where you can see that game room Taylor was talking about. Would that make you feel a little better?”

Rayne swipes the back of her hand against her face, glances around at the chaos, then down to me. I know she is scared and everything in me wishes I could make all the fear and hurt fade away. Plastering on my best smile, I give her a reassuring nod.

Just like her father when faced with adversity, she swipes away another tear, steels her spine and nods. “Yes, please.”

I wait patiently while Ari buckles Rayne into her seat and when he shuts her door; I collapse into his chest.

Ari buries his face into my neck and together we stand in silence.