“He’s right, you know? If I tell my mom, she’ll be devastated.”
“Do you think it’s a onetime thing?” he asked.
“I hope so.” I sniffed several times. “Do I just pretend I never saw anything, or do I break my mom’s heart? And my aunt Beckyis sick, so she’s got so much on her plate. This will devastate her.”
“Listen, you don’t have to decide today. But I need to get you some medicine, and you need to lie down and get some rest. You can stay here for as long as you want. Let’s sleep on it, and you can decide what to do tomorrow.” He stood up, shifted me onto the bed, and tugged off my boots before walking to the closet, where he pulled out a clear plastic tub filled with medication. “I’m going to go get you some soup. You stay here and get changed and lie down until I get back.”
I nodded. I had no energy left. My phone kept vibrating, and Axel turned the ringer off. “You aren’t dealing with this tonight.”
I reached for some tissues and blew my nose. “I’m sorry about Janet. She seemed pissed.”
“I don’t give a shit. If she can’t accept this friendship, then she and I have no chance.” He shrugged. “It’s always been you and me, Wren. I’ve got you.”
“You can’t tell anyone about this, Axel. If Emerson finds out, she will tell Collin. I don’t know what I’m going to do, so this has to stay between us.”
“Come on, Horse Girl. Don’t offend me. You know your secrets are safe with me.”
I nodded.
I knew he was right.
I didn’t trust anyone the way I trusted Axel.
But I’d also trusted my father, and I’d just been completely blindsided by him.
I hated it.
Because if my father could do something like this, what would stop anyone else from doing the same thing?
I’d put my father up on a pedestal my entire life.
But I’d never put any man up on a pedestal again.
thirteen
. . .
Axel
Archer
I don’t know how much longer I can let Mrs. Dowden watch Melody.
Rafe
Really? You don’t say? Is it the fact that she never gets off the recliner?
Easton
Or that she asks for a foot massage if one of us stops by to see Melody?
Bridger
Dude. Time to cut the cord.
Clark
Melody was brushing Mrs. Dowden’s hair when Eloise and I stopped by last week to see her. She’s got our baby girl working for her now.
