“What kind of rules?” he asks in a low voice that shakes all the atoms in the space between us.
I gulp and repeat them to him. He gets stoic with every single one of them. When I finish, he looks like he wants to go on a rampage.
I set aside my now empty plate and move closer to him.
I stare at his hands, wanting to take them and comfort him in some way.
His touch always helps me, but I’m not sure if mine will have the same effect.
“Fuck, just what kind of monster is he?” he grumbles. “I swear, if I see him again, I will fuck him up real bad. He won’t be able to speak, let alone hurt you.”
“No!” I panic. “Don’t do anything. You’ll get into trouble.”
“And I’ve told you that I don’t mind the trouble.”
“I know,” I whisper. “I just don’t want it for you.”
Heath sighs, then shakes his head. “Sometimes, I don’t know what to do.”
“He is staying out for the most day. I haven’t seen him or talked to him.”
The muscle in his jaw ticks.
I’ve only ever read about it in books.
It is hot.
My cheeks burn and I fidget with my hands.
“Do you know why he hurts you?” he asks.
“I don’t.”
“Do you wonder why?”
“I used to think about it a lot, but now I just don’t care. Whatever the reason is, it doesn’t justify the abuse. You don’t hurt the people you love. Not everyday and all the time. I used to love him when I was little. He was good to me. He’d let me watch TV, take me to the playground with mom and buy me chocolate. Although, it was a long time ago, I remember it. It’s like my brain is keeping some good parts of him so I can’t completely hate him. But I’m trying to. He’s hurt mom, me and you. I can’t ever forgive him for that. You’re important to me.”
Heath reaches for my cheek and cups it. “You’re important to me, too. Themostimportant.”
Having him touch me gives me the courage to hug him. Unlike before, when his arms would stick to his sides, now they wrap around me and embrace me like he’d protect me and never let go.
I don’t know what I’d do if I ever have to let him go.
I know I won’t survive.
“If you ever feel like he’s going to hurt you, call me. I will be there for you.”
“You promise you won’t attack him?”
His arms squeeze my waist. “Don’t make me promise that.”
“I need that promise.”
Heath sighs and I can’t help but smile in his chest.
“Fine.”
“We should work on the bracelets. I want to send them tomorrow.”
