My family had tried to pay their way out of it, but there was clear video evidence of him smashing Athena’s head with the car trunk. I had hurled more than once while watching it and wanted to wrap my hands around his throat and kill him myself.
But that would mean I’d go to jail, and Athena would be all alone.
Not going to fucking happen.
Me: Everything that he got was well deserved.
Athena wasn’t in danger from him any longer, though I still worried about what my father might try to do. To combat that, we were officially moving. I didn’t know where yet, somewhere in Pittsburgh, but he wouldn’t have our address any longer.
I was going to do everything in my power to keep my girl safe. Forever.
CHAPTER
FORTY-NINE
ATHENA
I stared down at my ring, which Charlie had fixed for me last week.
I honestly didn’t know how I was doing on the exam. It was two days of nonstop questions, and I really couldn’t focus. My mind wandered to Derek so many times and everything that had happened the past few weeks. I hated that he was in my head now. I hated that the thought of him, that his fingers, were burned into my memory forever.
Charlie didn’t deserve that, and I was trying hard to get over it.
And maybe he was right. Maybe I needed therapy.
No, I definitely need therapy.
I just didn’t want to go. I hadn’t had time to go, up until now. It would take at least ten weeks for the results for the exams to come back.
But did I want to go? No. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to relive it over and over and over again. I didn’t want to have nightmares of him. He was in jail now, but I was sure he would get out. At least with all the money his family had.
And what would happen to Charlie’s father? Would he find me again too? What were his plans with me? Because I knew it didn’t stop at Derek.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek and reviewed my answers for today’s exam. Who knew if I had gotten anything right? I could barely remember studying the past few weeks, but I knew what I had done to throw myself away from all the heartache.
After sighing, I blew out another low, long breath and stood up to submit my exam. I hated this. I didn’t know if I would pass. I didn’t know if I’d become a lawyer, which was all I’d ever wanted to be.
Tears welled in my eyes, and I drew my thumb across my ring again. Charlie flashed in my mind, and I knew I had to do this. I had tried my hardest.
So, after submitting my exam, I gathered my belongings and walked out of the room. The hallway was long and cold and deserted, just like my thoughts. When I reached the exit door, I sighed again and pushed it open.
Charlie stood next to his car on the street, leaning against it and smiling at me. When I saw him, warmth gathered in my chest. I didn’t know how he did it, but I just became happy again with him.
He had always had that thing about him. I always, you know, forgot about all my problems when I was with him. Since the day I’d met him, I had known he would be in my life forever.
I descended the stairs and jogged to him. He opened his arms and enveloped me into a hug, stuffing his face into the crook of my neck and kissing just below my ear.
“How did you do?” he asked, beaming with excitement.
I pulled away. My fingers curled into his hair and stared up at him. “I’m not sure how I did. I hope I did good and …” My heart pounded inside my chest, so loudly that I could hear it in my ears. I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew I had to.
“And what?”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek again, tearing off more skin and almost bleeding. “And I think I’m ready for therapy.”
“Therapy? I’d be happy to bring you there. Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, not right now. I think I need to go by myself first. Just for a little bit.”
“Okay,” he said, planting another kiss on my neck. “That’s fine with me, but first, we need to celebrate.”
“There’s nothing to celebrate yet,” I said. “I’m not sure if I passed.”
“There’s so much to celebrate! What are you talking about? You finished the bar! I think that calls for Doughburgh. Don’t you think?”
My lips turned up into a small smile, and I felt a giggle bubble in my chest. “Yeah. Actually … that sounds great. Let’s go!”
