I can’t help but laugh.
“How about I borrow your gun and go and do it myself?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Deal. What happens now? We can hardly all move in here and start over. He’s going to find me at some point.”
“Cruz and I are going to go back tomorrow, sort out a few things. Deal with a few people. And once we’re convinced you’re safe and that the only thing you’re going to have to deal with once you’re back in town is your husband, then it’ll be up to you.”
“Just like that?”
“I’d rather not drag it all out. And I’m pretty sure you don’t want to, either.”
“No. I guess not,” I whisper, although I can’t deny that being here away from everything and everyone does have its benefits.
We both fall silent. Only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees surrounding us can be heard as my face burns from the heater in front of me.
I’m about to suggest we go in when a door opens.
“Bro, can I borrow you for a bit?” Cruz asks.
“Yeah. Hang on.”
Dad pushes forward on his chair and holds my eyes.
“I love you, Emmie. I’d burn this entire city to the ground for you if I needed to. Those guys in there would, too. But for the love of God, never hide this kind of shit from me again.”
I swallow around the giant lump in my throat and nod. It’s the only thing I’m capable of.
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t need your apologies. I understand more than you could know. But trust me to be able to handle the truth, whatever it is.”
“O-okay.”
“And I meant it. We can stay out here as long as you need to. But equally, you want to go back, and we can go.”
“Okay,” I breathe, knowing that I’m nowhere near ready yet to face Theo or any of the others, but I’m going to have to sooner rather than later.
I’m Emmie Ramsey. I don’t hide from my problems. And I certainly don’t run from boys like Theo Cirillo.