I stroke her hand, reminding her that she’s safe and I’m right here.
“That day, someone grabbed me from behind and pulled me into an alleyway, out of view from the main street. And he …” Her voice is almost inaudible as I lean closer to her. “He raped me with a knife to my neck, over the course of what felt like hours. The knife cut deeper into my neck, and before he left, he dragged the blade through once more and left me there, bleeding out on the ground. I think he thought he’d killed me and in that moment, I wish he had. But he hadn’t cut deep enough.”
I’m in shock when she finishes, gutted at the atrocity she lived through, horrified that she did it all alone. My throat burns, my eyes water, and I throw my arm around her, pulling her into my side as I gently place a kiss to the top of her head.
Gut-wrenching disgust floods me that someone could do that to any person, treat someone so inhumanely. My eyes burn as I replay her words over in my mind.
“I’m so sorry, Lainey.” My voice breaks, and I slam my eyes shut, agony ripping through me. “You’re so fucking strong.”
Her chest heaves as she sobs quietly, sinking into my hold. “Thank you.”
Pulling back enough to look her in the eyes, I search her face for understanding. “For what?”
Her bottom lip quivers. “For not thinking less of me. C-Cole, he always said that no one else would want me after what the man did. That I was … used goods.”
His words that night at the Kosteleckys’ finally click into place in my mind. That’s what he was ranting about when Lainey hit him. Fuck, I should have hit him ten times harder myself.
Cupping both her cheeks, I press my forehead against hers. “You are not used goods, Lainey. I hope you know that.”
“I know,” she whispers. “You helped me realize it.”
“Good,” I state matter-of-factly. “And I’m never letting you forget it.”
I want to ask more questions. Did they ever catch him? Did someone find her and get her help? But this isn’t about my curious brain. This is about her opening up to me right now and me listening.
I love you.Three words drift across the tip of my tongue without sound, and I bite down on my bottom lip in surprise. It’s no shock to me that I feel that way about her, but nearly sneaking past my lips without thought, just as it did that night in the spare bedroom, is what takes me by surprise.
I love Lainey, but I don’t think that’s news to anyone. She’s had my heart since we were kids. But I don’t want to spring it on her, not after everything she just revealed and has gone through. I want it to be perfect, and I don’t want her to think I’m telling her out of pity for her story.
Kissing her forehead, I keep my arm around her shoulders as we look up into the aquarium. A whale shark passes by at the most perfect time, and I wonder if that one was sent by Carly.
“I’m scared, Lainey.” My admission slips out. “I don’t know if my knee is going to be the same. It’ll be its second ACL surgery.”
She rests her hand on my thigh, brushing her thumb back and forth. “We will get you to perfect strength. Once your surgery is done, you’ll start therapy practically immediately. You’ll have your scheduled sessions at the arena, and I’ll help you more at home. Don’t worry, babe; we’ll get you there. I promise.” My heart skips a beat at her use of a pet name.
“Home? Babe? You’re spoiling me with words today.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’ve called me baby, like, twenty times already.”
“Yeah, but that wasme. That was the first timeyoucalled me babe,” I state with a happy heart.
“Better get used to it.” She bites down on her smile.
“Hmm. I like the sound of that.” I grin from ear to ear. “What’s our plan going to be when your apartment is fixed? It should be done any day now.”
Her foot starts bouncing. “I can either stay there and visit you at home or?—”
“I can pay off your lease, and you can officially move in since all of your stuff is already there,” I cut her off, offering what’s been heavily on my mind as of late.
She wets her lips and looks up at me. “You want me there? You’re sure?”
I slide my other hand across her stomach, the tiny bulge growing beneath. “Let me make it crystal clear for you.” I lower my voice enough for only her to hear. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re carryingmybaby, especially after I filled you up to the brim last night. I don’t want you to ever move out or even consider it. You’re mine, and I’m yours, forever. I want a ring on your finger and your name on my chest, branded into my skin. I want us to raise a family together and grow old, hand in hand until we wither away.” I kiss her parted lips. “Is that clear enough for you?”
“Mmhmm.” She slowly nods, closing her lips and smirking. “Sounds great to me.”
Just what I wanted to hear.
“Should we stay here for a little while longer, or do you want to keep wandering?” I ask her, looking back at the tank.
