I leaned back, resting my elbows on the step behind me as I turned back to the sunrise. But I kept sight of Everly in my peripheral vision. “You’re alone. And no one should have to deal with something like this alone.”
She bristled. “I don’t need your pity.”
“It’s not pity. It’s friendship.”
“And that’s what we are? Friends? Even though my father is the one who hurt your family beyond measure, you want to be my friend?”
Each word punched into that reserve of rage that always simmered in the background. But I didn’t let it catch fire. Not this time. “Yes. You aren’t your father.”
“But I remind you of him. What he did. I remind everyone.”
The words tumbled out, almost as if she didn’t have control of them. Broken and full of so much pain. They did something to the rage inside me. Changed it somehow. Shocked it into submission. “You have to give people time to build different memories of you. The longer you’re here, the easier that’ll be.”
The corner of my mouth quirked up. “Now you’ll remind me of a firefighting badass in muck boots and—” I leaned forward to examine her pajama shorts. “Avocado boxers.”
Her face flushed. “I’m a fan of guacamole.”
“It works for you.” It worked a little too well. Those damn tiny shorts exposed what felt like miles of golden skin. I forced my gaze up to her face.
“I don’t know what to do with you. I want to give you that fresh start, but I keep waiting for the blow you’re going to deal me.”
My fingers tightened around the lip of the step I leaned against. That fear was more than fair. I’d been cruel the first two times I’d come here. “I’m sorry.” The word felt so damn lacking. “I hope with time I can prove to you that I’m not that guy—or that’s not me at my best.”
Everly slumped against the steps. “I understand not always being who you should, who you’re capable of. I’ll try not to have my back up every time you show. I just…after I’ve experienced it once, I’m used to learning to watch for the snap.”
My gut soured at the thought of what’d taught her that lesson. “Appreciate you trying. That’s all I can ask.”
She tucked her hair behind her ear and, as she did, revealed some delicate script there. I couldn’t resist moving her hair out of the way to read the words. Twenty breaths.
I didn’t release my hold on the silky strands, but my gaze locked with hers. “What does it mean?”
“Anyone can be brave for twenty breaths. And in that time, you can do almost anything. Or at least take the first steps you need to get there.”
I didn’t move, just stared at the words. I wanted more. All of it. The whole story. But to get it, I’d hav
e to earn Everly’s trust. And that was an uphill battle.
She ducked away, moving her hair from between my fingers. “It’s just something that’s meaningful to me.”
“Twenty breaths. I like it.”
Officer Williams waved from the front desk. I lifted my travel coffee mug in a halfhearted greeting. “Anything that needs my immediate attention?”
“Nope, but Calder is waiting for you in your office.”
I glanced at my watch. I’d barely had a chance to grab two hours of sleep, but I’d bet Calder hadn’t had any. “Thanks.”
I moved through the main room, trading greetings with officers and deputies, trying my best not to act like a grumpy asshole. Pulling open my door, the smell of something amazing hit me.
Calder looked up from an open box of donuts. “I thought this might help get you through the day.”
“You are officially my favorite friend. Hell, I’ll let you replace Beck as my brother.”
“How is that asshole?”
I eased into my desk chair and plucked up a chocolate old fashioned. “Who knows. I haven’t heard from him in over a month. But that’s not exactly new.”
“Where is he again?”