Page 17

Carson

Past

“ Y ou’re a lousy piece of shit, just like your fuckin’ mother.”

The reek of whiskey hits me like a slap as he steps closer, only inches from my face. “Get the fuck outta my sight.”

When he shoves me, I fall to the floor hard, biting my cheek so hard the familiar metallic taste of blood coats my tongue.

I don’t need this.

He’s the piece of shit and I know the only reason he doesn’t kick me out is because he makes more money from the state by me being here. If I were to run off, I doubt he’d even look for me.

I yank open the door, desperate to escape, only to freeze in place.

“What do you want?” I snarl, quickly stepping outside and slamming the door shut behind me. I jog down the steps, not wanting her to hear more than she already has.

“I—I was just comin’ to see if...if you…” Wren stumbles to find words as her eyes rake down my form.

This is just what I needed tonight.

“Are you okay?” she asks quietly, her expression falling as her eyes land on the bruises already forming on my arm.

She pities me.

I fucking hate it.

“I’m fine,” I bite out, jaw tight. “What do you want, Wren?”

I feel like an ass, but I don’t want her here. And I really don’t want her to see this shit I deal with. There’s no doubt she heard the yelling.

“Come with me.”

My brows furrow as I quickly turn to spit the blood from my mouth onto the gravel. Wiping the back of my hand across my busted lip, I redirect my attention back to her. “What are you talkin’ about? Come with you where? It’s gettin’ dark—why are you here alone anyway? Where’s Cal?”

Taking a quick glance over my shoulder, I check down the road to see if her brothers might be waiting for her.

Warm, soft fingers wrap around mine, startling me.

“Let’s go.”

Her voice leaves no room for argument.

She starts walking, tugging me gently down the overgrown path. And I follow without question.

It’s not surprising. Not really.

Did I want to leave? Absolutely.

Would I have fought with anyone else who tried to force me somewhere? Hell yes.

But everything is different with Wren.

It always has been. I know it, and so does she.

She doesn’t say a word as we walk the long dirt road. When we finally reach her house, she stops by the old metal mailbox.

“Before you run off with my brothers,” she says, looking up at me, “I just wanted to say… If you ever want to talk, Carse, you can always come to me. I know I’m just your friend’s little sister, but… I promise I’m a good listener.”

Talking about this? Not gonna happen.

But I need to make sure she doesn’t say anything to anyone either.

Sure, my living situation sucks, but I know it could be worse. Being pulled from my home and pushed into the system as a teenager isn’t something I want to experience. Or worse, if someone confronts my dad about it… I’ll be the one to pay.

I learned a long time ago to let him do what he feels he needs to do. Then he’ll leave me alone for a while. Causing him trouble only ever causes more for me.

I toe the gravel at my feet, shoving my hands in my pockets.

“Will you just…not say anything about this…? To anyone?”

“I promise.” She crosses her fingers over her heart.

“But…” she adds, “I need a promise from you, too.”

Silence lingers as I wait with bated breath for her request.

“If things are bad…come here. You don’t have to talk about it. I won’t ask a thing. And you know my brothers wouldn’t either. But will you please come here, Carse? Whenever you need to get away?”

I shake my head, finding it hard to believe that she cares enough to ask this. I’m also partly trying to hide the fact that it affects me as much as it does that someone cares.

When I finally look back at her, she still has that piercing blue stare fixed on me.

“Promise?”

I nod.

“Promise.”