I clicked on the bathroom light and winced as I pulled my shirt off. My finger skimmed over the purple and yellow bruises marking my abdomen.
They were still tender, but not as painful as they were a few days ago. When my shirt brushed against my skin, I didn’t want to cry anymore. That was something, right?
That wide-eyed look Star gave me was stuck in my head. The way she stood there with shock and pity on her face broke my heart. She was worried about me. She was always worried about me. But I couldn’t have her asking questions.
No one knew that Tico came to visit. He showed up here and tried to convince me to tell someone about my father. I had no idea how he knew–not even Sean did–but Tico knew.
I never told Star about it because I really didn’t know what happened. Tico stayed for about twenty minutes and left. That was the last time I saw him.
I gazed into the guilty brown eyes of my reflection and clicked off the light.
Sometimes it was better to hide in an illusion.
Someone knocked on my door as I was climbing into bed. A second later, my father walked into the room. I slid up against my headboard and carefully eyed him, trying to gauge his mood.
Was he the man right now, or the beast? He looked like the man in his black suit with his dark hair bushed neatly back. Then again, the beast wore the same look.
“Going to bed already, Honey Bug?”
My entire body sighed with the use of my nickname. He only used it when he was in a good mood, which wasn’t often lately.
“I’m not feeling great,” I explained, and settled back in my bed.
“What do you mean you're not feeling great?” I flinched when he walked over and placed a hand on my forehead. “You don’t have a temperature.”
“I’m just tired,” I said, and pulled the blanket over my legs.
Honestly, I just wanted this day to be over. Maybe I’d wake up tomorrow and everyone would magically forget what they’d seen.
He tipped his head and eyed me, which was when I forced a smile on my lips. I’d learned a long time ago not to let him know anything was wrong.
“Well,” he pulled the blankets up and gently tucked me in. “You get some sleep then. I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be out of town for a couple of weeks.”
Mom used to tuck us in like this. She’d make sure we were all snug, and then read a story. Sean still had hope that she would come back, but she was never coming back.
“You can invite Lana over if you like.”
My chest ached at the mention of my best friend’s name. Lana and I used to do everything together. Lately she hadn’t been around much. I got it. She had a family now, and the cutest babies to take care of. But I missed her terribly.
“Can Star come over?”
Daddy sighed and frowned down at me. He didn’t like Star. I wasn’t sure why. She’d never been anything but polite to him.
“I suppose,” he muttered and added, “but no overnight stays.”
I nodded and watched him run his finger over my bedside table. His hand stopped next to a picture of a little boy. I looked into the sparkling green eyes and resisted the urge to reach out and stroke his cheek.
Every night I whispered my secrets to that image, hoping that he’d reach out and hold me like he used to. But that little boy was dead. All I had now were memories, and a picture.
“Has Mason Kessler said anything to you?”
My wide eyes snapped back on my father.Oh God, does he know?If he did and I lied…
I forced the lump down my throat and prayed he wouldn’t hear the thumping echoing in my ears. “N-no. Why would he?”
My father’s brown eyes narrowed for just a second before a smile washed over his face.
“It doesn’t matter.” He waved his hand, then walked into the bathroom. “Things will play out as they should.”
