“Can we come in?” I ask.
“Of course.” Ashton opens the door wider and stands to the side to let us through. “Can I get you two anything?”
“No, thank you,” I answer on behalf of both of us. Then something occurs to me that I didn’t even think of until now. “Are your sister and niece still here?”
“No, I met them at the diner. I got home hours ago. I tried calling you.”
I haven’t even looked at my phone since I ended that call with my mom.
“I must have missed it,” I say, and he nods. I know he must be dying to know what’s going on.
“My mother’s boyfriend attacked her,” I say outright. The words feel heavy on my tongue, but I don’t glance in her direction. I know this is hurting her, but sometimes you have to hurt before you can heal. I can’t help my mother if I don’t tell him what happened.
Ashton’s eyes wander to my mother, and sympathy flashes in them. He moves closer to me and swallows before speaking. “Were you there when it happened?”
“No. She called me after he left.”
He sighs, relaxing a little. “Have you called the police?”
My mom looks up at his question. “No,” she answers. “Last time I did that, I went to jail.”
His eyes flick to mine, and I shake my head. We don’t need to get into all that right now. I just need help getting this motherfucker what he deserves.
“Look, I know this is a big ask, but is there anyone you knowwho could help track him down? He should be arrested, but she has a record and?—”
“Of course. Let me make a phone call. You two make yourselves at home.”
Before he leaves, he turns back. “What is his name?”
“Mark Shepherd,” my mother answers.
As soon as Ashton disappears around the corner, I turn to my mom, who is smiling for the first time tonight. It’s a small one, but it’s there. “Friend, huh?”
“Mom!” I hiss.
“What? He’s really cute.”
“Jesus, Mother. You were just attacked.”
“I know, and if I don’t distract myself, I’ll go crazy.”
I sigh and take her hand. “Come on. I’ll make you some tea.”
It doesn’t take long for Ashton to come back from his phone call. I’m pouring hot water into a mug when I hear his footsteps.
“My dad is having his people look into it,” he says. “He’s going to call me back the second he knows anything.”
“Thank you.” I stand on my toes to kiss his cheek. I don’t really care that my mom is sitting right there. I know Ashton has a strained relationship with his father, and yet he just called to ask him for a favor for me without even batting an eye. That deserves a public kiss.
“I can’t thank you enough,” my mom says, setting down the mug I gave her.
“Don’t thank me yet. I don’t know what we’ll be able to find, and I still think you should file a police report. Either way, I have more than enough room for you to stay here while we wait to hear back.”
“Thanks for the offer.” I look between my mom and Ashton. His eyes haven’t left me since he walked back into the room. “But we’re going to head back to my house.”
“Allie, please.” Warmth floods my insides as I feel his hand grasp mine, lacing our fingers together. “I’ll feel safer if youboth stay here. At least for tonight.” His eyes are pleading, and for the first time, I don’t have the heart to argue with him.
I look at my mom, and she nods her agreement.
