my life to be normal. Just different from that girl who couldn’t run away, defend herself, or protect those around her. Only a few hours ago I was content with my life. Now … I touch my wrist, find my bracelet, and count the quartz.
“I’m twenty-three and I should know by now that there aren’t any monsters inside the closet or under the bed.”
“You’re not afraid of those kinds of monsters,” he says with conviction. “Those nightmares are the product of something else.”
“That’s not up for discussion.” I glare at him.
“I wish I knew what happened to you. Maybe then I could fix it for you.”
“You want to fix me, buddy?” I frown, crossing my arms and walking toward the front door.
Weston Ahern has a savior complex. He loves to help people. No matter the day or time, anyone who needs him gets his attention. It’s not like he’s a misogynistic man who tries to solve women’s problems. This guy self-designated himself as the savior of his family and became indispensable to them. If he can solve their problems, they will love him. That’s why he still works for Ahern Inc.
The day I arrived broken at his doorstep six years ago, I became his to save. I love that he wants to take away the pain, but he has no idea just how broken I am.
Would he even talk to me if I ever were to tell him about my past? Doubtful.
I’d rather have him think that the reason I have nightmares is because I witnessed my sister’s death. He doesn’t even know that the girl was my stepsister. I just don’t talk about it.
“You know I didn’t mean it like that,” he says frustrated. “It’s been years since the incident,” he continues. “Since the day I met you, I’ve cared about you. We connected. But that secret you guard feels like a barrier between us.”
“You have secrets too,” I remind him.
“They’re different because I worked through them already. You … look, I just want to know what happened and … there has to be a way to make things better.”
My lungs constrict. My chest tightens at the mere thought of letting everyone know what happened that night. The local news covered what the police released, what they could see. That’s all anyone will ever know.
“There’s nothing to fix. This is who I am. You can take it or leave it. Thank you for your hospitality, Ahern.” I open the door, glance his way one last time, and leave his apartment.
My secret is safe with me. I’ll be safe as long as I don’t breathe a word.
Chapter Ten
Wes
Dealing with Abby’s past is as complicated as dancing on a tight rope. One wrong move and I’m falling over the precipice. Visiting the past is jarring for many. I get it. It wasn’t easy for me when I had to confront it, or when I learned how to behave like a normal kid. It was hard to understand that adults are meant to protect children, not use them. That starving them isn’t normal, and that my parents were supposed to love me.
I can’t imagine where I’d be if the Aherns—Mom and Dad—hadn’t pushed me to deal with everything I suffered through.
It’s been years. Six long years since Abby came to me. Well, to my parents. I know there’s more to her sister’s death than she admits. My gut tells me that there’s much more to the story than what circulated around the news. If I could just make Abby see that burying the pain won’t help her heal. But I’m afraid that if I force her to open up, she’s going to run away, and I couldn’t tolerate her absence.
I finish cleaning up the kitchen, then go to my bedroom to change. A pair of running shorts and a t-shirt will do. I grab my sleeping bag and turn off the light before locking the apartment. Instead of using my key, I knock on her door.
“Hey,” Abby greets me when she opens it.
“Look, I was out of line,” I start my explanation.
“No, you weren’t. I just want you to understand that nothing you say will change my mind. Because there’s nothing I can do that will make it go away.”
“So, you agree,” I say. “It’s still there, and you need … someone to be with you.” I show her my sleeping bag.
“That doesn’t mean I should be using all these ridiculous crutches to avoid the nightmares.”
“They work,” I say with a shrug.