The sun was starting to go down, and she was getting chilled when she finally recognized her street.
She opened the door to her house and was surprised to see Lacey and Nia.
They both cried out and ran to her to hug her.
“Oh, my God, Hannah,” Nia said. “Everybody is out looking for you.”
“Why?” She was totally baffled.
“We were worried when no one could find you,” Lacey said.
“I’ll call Travis and tell him you’re home,” Nia said and walked off with her phone.
“What’s going on?” Lacey asked her and gently rubbed her back.
“Nothing new. I’ve just realized that I’m worthless and pathetic.”
Lacey frowned. “Why are you talking like this?”
“Because it’s true. I can’t seem to take care of myself. My poor brother has to take care of me, and I’m twenty-two years old. He needs to have his own life.”
“What about Cullen?”
“We need to stay as far away from each other as possible. All I keep doing is hurting him, and he still doesn’t know everything.”
“Like what?” Lacey said.
“They’re headed here,” Nia said.
“I can’t talk about it. I’m sorry my brother pulled you away from home.”
“You’re our friend, Hannah,” Nia said. “Of course, we’d be here. The other girls are out with their daddies looking for you.”
“Listen, I want to take a shower and then sleep. Can you tell everyone, and I mean everyone, thank you, and I’m sorry? Also, tell them I want to be left alone.”
“How about I come back with you?” Lacey said.
Hannah shook her head. “No, I want to be alone.”
“You’re scaring us, Hannah,” Nia said.
Hannah exhaled. “You know those times in a person’s life when a fork appears in the road, and you have to decide which one to take?”
Both girls nodded.
“I’m making mine now, and I want to be left alone.”
Nia stroked her arm. “That’s the last thing you need, Hannah.”
“I’m done having someone decide for me. I love you guys so much, but I have to do this on my own.”
“If you need us, please call,” Lacey said.
Hannah nodded, turned, and walked back to her bedroom. She locked the doors to her room and bathroom before she put her hair up. She showered until her skin stung, and her arms ached.
After pulling on a nightgown, she brushed her teeth, closed the blinds, rolled into bed, and pulled the blanket up to her chin. On and off that night, she heard people knocking, but she stayed silent. At one point, she heard someone messing with the lock, so she rolled away and closed her eyes.
“Dammit,” Cullen whispered.