Page 49 of Salvation (Clover-Hills #1)
Blake
“ D id you take MMA classes or something?” Elain asks me from behind her steaming cup of tea.
I almost laugh. No, I didn’t. I can’t explain where that rage came from.
I’ve never even been in a fight, and I doubt I could make something like that happen a second time.
I made my way back here after I went for a walk, remembering that Elain had been in the shower during Wesley and I’s fight.
Thankfully, the former had already left by the time I returned.
“Are you mad at me?” I ask.
“Why would I be mad?” She questions. “He got what he deserved.”
I toy with the tea string hanging from my cup, and she reaches over to place her hand over mine. “Look, I’m not going to pretend like it doesn’t hurt. He’s my dad, of course it does. But…talking with you? Being around you…It’s made things clearer. What he’s doing…It’s not okay. He needs help.”
Tears spring to my eyes. This girl is so strong. Stronger than I was. She’s not scared to fight, and she’s not running from her demons. The front doorbell rings, and it makes me jump at the sudden interruption. Elain stands from her seat at the island. “That’s probably my mom.”
I nod and go with her, knowing she’s not going to want to face this one alone. She opens the door, and her mom rushes in to hug her. “Oh, babe. I’m so glad you’re okay.” She sobs. “I would have gotten here sooner, but traffic was really heavy.”
“It’s okay,” Elain says as she lets go. “I’ll go grab my stuff.” But her mom catches her shoulder as Elain turns and blurts, “No. Don’t.”
Both Elain and I pause, sharing confused glances. “I…I was thinking that I need to go away for a little while.” She looks at me. “Your mother stopped by to see me before I came here. Gave me some information on the center she went to. She helped get it all arranged.”
A knot forms in my throat. Of course, she did. A part of me wants to fall to my knees and never get up at the fact that women even have to go through this sort of pain; another part of me wants to squeeze my mom until she pops for being so brave and lending a hand to another who needs it.
“And…and if it was okay with you, I want Elain to stay with you. Just…just until I get myself together.”
She looks between us two, nervously rubbing her hands against her jean-clad thighs.
I look at Elain, and tears are pooling in her eyes, but she doesn’t seem mad.
She looks like she understands. Like, she’s happy.
Like, she may have even expected this. “She’s always welcome in my home. ” I say. “I’ll give you guys a minute.”
They both nod, and I busy myself with cleaning up the kitchen.
I don’t attempt to listen in. They need their moment, and quite frankly, it’s none of my business.
But before her mother leaves, she comes to me in the kitchen, leaving Elain leaning by the door.
“Thank you.” She says to me, “Thank you for doing what I should have.”
I smile at her but don’t say anything. She hugs me too. So, I mutter in her ear, “She won’t forget this. I know. I know it’s hard. It will never be easy. But it’s the right choice. And I’m proud of you for making it.”
She pulls back, sniffling, and gives me a broken smile.
She stops and crouches before Elain on her way out.
“Remember. You can come and visit or call me whenever. I love you, and I am so proud of you, baby. Never forget that.” She gives us both a watery smile and Elain and I watch as she hops into her car and drives away.
“So, did you take MMA classes? You never answered.” Elain’s wobbly voice cuts through the sorrow-filled air. I tip my head back and laugh. Slinging an arm over her shoulder, I pull her close and steer her toward the kitchen.
“Come on, kid, let’s figure out what to make for dinner.”