Two years’ worth of pissed-off feelings, and it was about to burst out of me all over this room. I was tired of being sweet and cheerful and nice. Like Brynn had said, we got to choose who to fall apart in front of.
Apparently, for me, that short list includedhim.
“Well, I don’t want you here.” My chin shook. Body quaking. I ignored the pain. “I didn’t get your messages because I blocked your number.”
Dean’s eyes widened slightly. That was the only reaction he gave me, and that sucked, because I’d wanted more. I always wanted more, didn’t I?
“Okay.” He nodded slowly. “Do you want me to leave?”
“Yes,” I bit out. “Get out of here. Go. That’s what you’re good at.”
With a blank expression, Dean turned and walked out. Just like that.
Despite everything, I hadn’t thought it would be so easy.
Brynn broke the sudden silence. She started to slow-clap. “That. Was. Amazing.”
“Was it?”
“You kidding? I should’ve caught it on film. That would’ve gone viral.”
Laughter tickled my throat. Starting small, then bubbling up. Brynn was laughing too.
Until hot tears spilled onto my cheeks and streamed to my chin.
“Oh, Keira.” Brynn rushed over to me.
“I’m okay,” I sobbed.
Everything I’d been holding inside rushed to the surface. The shame and the terror and the helplessness. My rage at the men who’d hurt me.
And my broken heart. The heartache I still felt over the man I’d just told to leave me alone, even though all I’d ever wanted was to have him close. To have him want me.
“Why does it hurt this much? I can’t take it. I can’t.”
She gently put her cheek against mine, trying not to jostle me. “I know it hurts. But you’re so strong. I promise you can handle it.”
I cried and cried, and strong was the last thing that I felt.
CHAPTER FIVE
Dean
Back when Iused to live in Hart County, I rarely came to see Owen at the Sheriff’s Office headquarters. All the guns and nightsticks and cameras, that reek of authority… it didn’t sit well with me. Not after I’d left my old life behind.
But today, I was here to see Owen in his official role as Sheriff Douglas just as much as I wanted to see my friend.
The officer at the front desk looked up as I strode inside. Somebody young who I didn’t recognize. “I’m here to see the sheriff, please,” I said.
He took in my messy hair and rumpled clothes. “Sheriff’s pretty busy.”
“I texted him on my way over. He knows I’m coming.”
Owen hadn’t been happy.You’re here right now? In Hartley? Thanks for the heads-up, buddy.
Owen Douglas wasn’t the most sarcastic guy, but I’d certainly heard it dripping from those words. I had some explaining to do. But so did he, and I didn’t plan to settle for an official “no comment.”
The desk officer looked skeptical.
