Aggro - CoraLee June Page 0,100
half tree.
“Her blood,” I cried. “I had her blood on my hands.”
“Shhh...it’s okay, baby, you’re safe. We’re all here,” my mom whispered as she rocked me back and forth in her arms. Kai sat on the floor beside us, holding my hand and stroking my thumb with his.
Chase went to the kitchen and brought me back a hot cup of tea. My mom released her hold so that I could take the cup. I started to feel better as its warmness filled me. It was the middle of night, but none of us were going to be able to get back to sleep. “Kai?” I croaked. Although I was thankful for the comfort my mother provided, I needed his strong arms. I needed his reassuring presence.
“I’m right here, Little Whisper.” Mom unraveled her arms from me, and Chase pulled her to the side to give us some privacy. Within seconds, I was crawling in Kai’s lap and nuzzling against his chest. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere,” he promised.
Chase led Mom to one of the guest bedrooms to sleep as Kai rocked me. I felt like a small, helpless child in his embrace. I couldn’t close my eyes again without seeing Violet’s mangled body or my father’s manic expression. And after an hour of silence, it occurred to me that I hadn’t checked on Kai through all this. “How are you holding up?” I asked while pulling away.
Kai tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and pressed his forehead to mine. “I’m conflicted,” Kai whispered.
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m angry for you. I’m trying not to storm out of this house, track my brother down, and demand answers. I’m sad for Violet. I thought she was cheating on me with some dumb fucker at your school or my brother. Now I realize she was with a...predator. Then I feel like shit for saying that because I know we’re talking about your dad.” I nodded. It was a lot to swallow. “And worst of all—I’m relieved. It makes me feel okay about us, as fucked up as that sounds.”
“Okay? You feel okay about us?” I asked, anger stirring within me. “And how were you feeling before, Kai?” There was a bitter taste in my mouth. “Are you saying that this relationship is fair game now? Violet fucked my father so it’s okay that we’re together?” I couldn’t believe this.
“That’s not what I said. That’s not what I meant. I just mean maybe you’ll stop letting your guilt hold you back.”
“This again?” I asked while squirming out of his lap. Once I was standing up, I threw my hands in the air. “I’m not holding back. And you’ve got to stop putting that on me. I’ve been at your house. I’ve ignored the whispers. I fucking gave you my virginity. And that had nothing—NOTHING—to do with Violet, my father, or anything else.” Kai clenched his jaw, but I didn’t give him a chance to interrupt. “Maybe I’m not the one feeling all this guilt. Maybe I’m not the one pulling away. Maybe you’re the one having an issue with this relationship. And if you are, can I just say it’s a really shitty time to bring it up!?” I was screaming now, not worried that Chase and my mother could probably hear.
Kai shot up from his seat, breathing hard as he stared at me. “So maybe I am.”
My mouth dropped open in shock. I wasn’t expecting him to agree with me. “What?” I asked, my voice softening.
“Maybe I do feel guilt, okay? Maybe I’m fucked up about the fact that I introduced Lex to Violet. I just know he’s behind this somehow. I feel it in my bones, Breeze. I’m pissed at myself. The night Violet was murdered—by your fucking father—I was thinking about you. And here I am. Hopelessly in love with you.” I gasped. It was the first time he’d admitted his feelings. And it was such shitty timing. And fuck it all, I loved him too. But this was too much. I couldn’t handle it. “I didn’t love Violet, but maybe that’s why she went to your dad. Maybe I pushed her into his arms. Maybe we fought too much. Maybe the pressure of my brother was too much.”
“Oh, Kai,” I whispered before rushing to him and wrapping my arms around his middle. “Babe, it’s not your fault.”
“I told you I was a monster. I was relieved the night she said that the baby wasn’t mine. I was thinking