died.” Even the memory of our reunion together causes my blood to physically boil from the inside.
“He was back in our lives after being absent for so long. And he lived here, and it’s not like Lovelace is a big town. The first thing he said to Whit after being out of her life was that her Gothic shit wouldn’t cut it if she was going to live with him. And I’m not sure if you know this, but that sort of approach doesn’t work with my sister. Anyway, she just lost her mom, and he didn’t pull her in for a very needed hug. He condemned her. And although it’s not what I would choose…” I trail off. “He’s just a huge asshole. I thought that maybe he would change after adjusting. When she was younger, he was always good to Whitney. I mean, she was his daughter after all. Oh, and let me not forget when he was with Mom, he reminded me time and time again that I was not his child. My mom was just a means to an end. I sometimes wondered if he wants Whitney because of her estate.”
I’ve never disclosed how much my mom was truly worth, and how that was transferred over to Whit and me. But I trust him. I trust both of them.
“My mom came from what you could consider old money. And she left it to both of us. It’s split in half. But the trust was written in a way that Dennis would never get his filthy hands on it. I’ve not touched it. I haven’t had to. And I only will if I have to fight tooth and nail to keep her.” Somehow, in all of this, my emotion changes to determination with a new outlook. “You know what? I refuse to let the man get to me as he did when I was younger.”
Knox’s voice is different, as though he understands I’m different. “Good. Now that that’s settled, have dinner with us tonight. And bring emo girl with you.”
In him and his comfort, I’m given a reason to laugh. “If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m coming over to your house every single night from now on. So count me in—along with the broody teen.”
However, I now know what has caused her to be extra upset these past couple of days. “Good, and I sort of hope you’ll consider our house your second home.”
I already do. I have for several weeks. And I know that they are my future. I get through my next several hours of work because Dennis Masterson won’t ruin what I can have with these men. Yes, without a shadow of a doubt, these men will be my forever.
16
Rowan
At the last minute, we changed our plans for supper, ordering in Chinese to be delivered to Ave’s house. Whitney has barely been out of her room, and Ave didn’t want to leave her. And with it being my turn to eat my absolute favorite thing in this world, I gloat, teasing Knox when I slurp up the noodles.
“Revel all you want, hon. I think we should do this again tomorrow with pizza.” Our little banter makes our girl’s solemn expression turn into a slight smile.
“What do you say with your deadline, pizza tomorrow, toy maker?”
Her eyes are fixed on the cell phone as though she’s beckoning the social worker to call her back.
“Maybe Whit misunderstood her dad, and the social worker has nothing to report. You know what they say? No news is good news.” Knox means well, but it doesn’t seem to divert the anxiety ripping through Ave as she bites at her fingernails.
“You mentioned Whit’s dad before. Has he ever hurt her?” I don’t know how to phrase it without it sounding appalling, falling from my lips.
Her attention on the phone fluctuates between Knox and me. “Um, no, not physically anyway. And when Whit was born, I remember him being a very attentive dad. And my mom had hoped he’d be a second dad to me. They married when I was ten. I’d lost my dad at the age of seven. A car accident.” This poor girl’s gone through so much hell. I can’t imagine the deep pain embedded in her soul.
“But,” she continues, “he’d expect a hospital-grade home, and though he never touched my mom and me, he’d explode. One day, I was playing a board game with my best friend. It was eleven at night, and I was