fewer people who knew the truth, the safer everyone would be. I didn’t want to put you in danger. I still don’t.”
“Fuck danger. I thought you were dead.”
“I know this is hard to understand, but it was something I had to do. I had to leave, and I couldn’t come back.”
A battle raged inside me—anger warring with relief. I was pissed at her for disappearing. Pissed that it had hurt me so much. I was mad that she was alive and my dad had known. But god, it was good to see her. Things had changed—we were both older and had been through our own shit—but she was still familiar. I felt like I could pick up my guitar and strum a few chords, and we’d be right back where we were thirteen years ago.
“Well, here you are.”
She nodded slowly. “Yeah. Here I am. But Gibs, you can’t tell anyone I’m here. If word got out… I don’t want to think about what would happen.”
I had an inexplicable urge to scoop her into my lap and cradle her against me. But I didn’t.
“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
7
MAYA
This place—and Gibson Bodine—had me completely unhinged.
I was surprised he hadn’t kicked me out for acting like a crazy person. I’d thrown myself at him before he’d even invited me inside. I didn’t know what had come over me. I’d spent the drive here working out what to say—in between arguing with myself over whether to turn around and speed to the closest airport.
When he’d opened that door, his face like a storm cloud, my carefully crafted speech had disappeared. And I’d jumped right into his arms.
As soon as he’d murmured my name, his low voice gravelly in my ear, I’d crumbled. With a flood of tears that smeared makeup all over his shirt, I’d alternated between laughing and crying. It was like I’d gone hysterical.
And now all I could think about was the fact that there was no sign of a woman here.
The only décor was a metal sculpture above the wood stove and a single framed photograph on the mantle. No candles or vases. No knick-knacks or artwork. He had some nice furniture, a TV on the wall, and a stack of wood near the wood stove. Certainly no signs of a family.
No ring on his finger either.
It probably meant he wasn’t married. Had he ever been married? Was he dating someone? He probably was. What would I find in his bathroom? An extra toothbrush for when she spent the night?
What was wrong with me? Gibson’s relationship status had nothing to do with me. It wasn’t like I was staying.
And there were bigger issues at play here.
“I know you probably have a million questions.” I tucked my legs beneath me.
“I do, but…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I think I can put most of it together at this point. Things at home must have been real bad.”
Tears welled up in my eyes again and the damn demons in the box howled. I nodded, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat.
“Shit, don’t cry again,” he said. “We don’t have to talk about that. So, you ran.”
I nodded again. It was like my mouth was glued shut. I couldn’t talk about that night.
“My dad really helped you?”
“Yes.” I barely managed to croak out the word.
He was quiet for a long moment, opening and closing his fists. “All right, so you got away. And you didn’t think it was safe to come back. I get that, but… why are you here now?”
That was a very good question. I brushed a tear from my cheek. “I don’t know. There’s a part of me that wants to run and never set foot in West Virginia again. I’ve worked really hard to move on and live my life. But ever since I heard your voice in that video, it’s like the past keeps trying to grab hold of me.”
He grunted, but I could tell he wasn’t satisfied with my vague explanation.
“Seeing you last night dredged up a lot of stuff for me. And then you recognized me.” I glanced up and met his gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t admit it was me, but I wasn’t prepared for that.”
“I wasn’t sure it was you. I don’t know what made me say your name. You look different. And your hair is distracting.”
I fingered a lock of my hair, glad he hadn’t pointed out the scar on my face. “Not different enough, apparently.”