Beckett rose with me. “You want a ride to the school?”
“I have my bike. Then we’ll just head to the farmhouse.”
Beckett nodded, but I could see the hesitancy there. “Set the alarm.”
“I always do.” I nodded at Hayes as I passed.
“You know you can call if you need anything,” he said. “Or if you change your mind about pressing charges against Brandon.” He paused for a moment. “Or Allen.”
A wave of nausea swept through me as I thought about recounting the years of torture to anyone, let alone a courtroom full of people. Instead of saying anything, I hurried out the door, giving Hayes a wide berth.
There were people in the waiting room as I left, and I kept my head down, avoiding their gazes. I couldn’t take any of the attention, and I certainly didn’t want to see the pity in the receptionist’s eyes.
I pulled open the door and stepped out into the sun. I sucked in as much air as I could, letting the pine scent wash away the worst of the memory hangover. It would take time, though. It always did when I got hit with one.
I moved towards my bike, swinging a leg over. As I did, I caught sight of a piece of paper in the basket. Black letters had been scrawled across the rumpled flyer.
The punishment for whores is more than you can pay. Beg for forgiveness and maybe you won’t have to.
16
BECKETT
I watched as Addie disappeared down the hall. I felt an inextricable pull to follow her, to make sure she was okay, just to be in her damn orbit.
Hayes cleared his throat. “So…”
He let the word hang. I turned back towards my brother but didn’t say a word. If he wanted to know something, he would have to ask it.
“You’re damn stubborn. You know that, right?”
I chuckled and sank back onto the couch. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
Hayes lowered himself into one of the empty chairs opposite my desk. “It’s not.”
“One man’s insult is another’s high praise.”
Hayes pinched the bridge of his nose. “Please don’t go there with Addie. Not unless you are one hundred percent sure you see a future there. Not unless you know for certain you’re going to stick around.”
His words cut. More than they should have. I shouldn’t have been shocked that Hayes thought I wouldn’t stick around. I never had before. “I’m here to stay. I can’t promise forever, but for the foreseeable future, yes.” I met my brother’s stare. “I’m trying to make things right.”
“There isn’t anything to make right.”
“Easy for you to say. You stuck around, helped deal with all the problems. I tucked tail and ran.”
Hayes leaned forward, his elbows going to his knees. “Who do you feel like you need to make things right with?”
“Everyone.” Every single member of my family had taken on an extra burden in one way or another when I left.
“Well, cross me off your damn list. I don’t need you making yourself a martyr over something I don’t blame you for. We’ve all coped the best we know how. None of those methods were entirely healthy. Mine included.”
I arched a brow. “You mean Hayes Easton isn’t perfect?”
He let out a low chuckle. “Perfect-looking, maybe.”
I grunted.
“I tried to control everything. Be the constant peacemaker. It ended up hurting everyone worse.”