“Sorry, I know that sounds weird. I just meant you gave me a person to look up to. If you could get out and restart your life after the things I heard from Brian and your mother, then I could too. You gave me hope.”
Empowerment from helping her just by being myself and finding my own way to healing surged through me. Fuck, that felt nice. To know someone had been watching the steps I took, the battles I faced, and saw the progress I made, felt really validating. Even more in some ways than therapy because it wasn’t just the words I said, but the choices I made in my own life. Me.
“While I don’t know if some of the things I’ve done are worth repeating, I’m glad I could be that for you. Here, give me your phone, and I’ll give you my number. Call me if you need anything or if things don’t go as planned and you need to leave quickly. I’ll help you go wherever you want and with whatever you need, like money or supplies. Monroe will too. He’s a good guy, and I know he cares about Paisley.”
“Thank you, Loren. You really are too good for him. And even though I hated you because you were so perfect, I’m glad I got to see the real you.”
“Me too. But I’m not perfect. Nowhere close.”
I hugged her again before putting my number in her phone. Walking back to the car, I spotted the guys. Monroe leaned against the door, watching me, while Nicco was a few feet away talking on the phone. Wells had Barkley in the back, talking to her with the trunk raised, and I grinned at the sight of him with my dog. He was winning me over bit by bit, and I knew I’d fall into his trap soon. It just felt nice to make him work for it for a while. When Monroe saw me coming, he walked forward, taking my hands.
“Everything okay? What did she say? Do I need to go and threaten her with lawsuits or something?”
Shaking my head, I think I said the only thing that could’ve surprised him.
“No, we’re going to help her, Monroe. We’re going to help Christine and Paisley escape.”