My eyes burn. He has no idea what that means to me. “I’m scared,” I admit, barely audible.
“I know. But you’re not alone anymore.”
He takes off again in traffic, our hands still locked together. And as he drives us home, his thumb keeps stroking across my skin, gentle and constant, like he’s reminding me with every breath, you’re safe. You’re loved. I’m here.
But no matter how tightly I hold his hand, the dread doesn’t leave.
Because whatever’s in that letter, it can’t be good news.
73
DERRICK
The buzzer sounds, and my stomach falls out from me. Charlie’s already moving toward the door before I can stand. He’s been hovering all afternoon, brushing my arm, checking on me, offering me massages, blow jobs, and anything else he can think of to distract me.The BJs worked.
He opens the door, and Sienna and Evan greet him warmly before they notice me over his broad shoulders.
“Derrick,” she calls out, rushing toward me. She pulls me into a hug, letting me know that no matter what, she’s got me.
Behind her, Evan steps inside with the same quiet force he brings into every room, tall, steady, controlled.
“Hey,” Sienna whispers. “We’re here.”
My chest squeezes. I nod, even though the knot in my throat makes it hard to swallow.
Evan clasps my shoulder firmly. “We’ll get through whatever it is,” he says, voice low. “You’re not alone.”
I breathe in slowly. “Thank you.”
Charlie steps to my side, hand instinctively sliding across my back. “Can I get you guys anything? Water? Wine? Beer?”
“Let me help you,” Evan answers Charlie, and they disappear into the kitchen.
“How was lunch?” Sienna asks.
“Great, but I was so distracted.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, taking a seat on my sofa. “I’m sure everything is fine. Probably something about updating the electoral roll.”
My brows pull together as Sienna hands me the envelope. I hold it in my hands and stare at it as if I have X-ray vision and can see through the paper. Seeing my old name on the front of it is weird, and I feel a bit of trauma resurface that I thought I had pushed down about my old life. My breath catches as I run my fingers over my old name.
The boys come back in with the drinks and food and start setting up.
“Is that it?” Charlie asks.
“Yeah.” I nod, still looking at the envelope as he hands me a beer. I take a large swig, hoping it will calm my nerves.
“Open it, D. Whatever it says, we’ve got you,” Evan tells me. Sienna nods, and Charlie squeezes my thigh.
Guess it’s now or never.
My fingers slide under the flap.
The room goes still, even the air feels thick, waiting.
I draw a breath.
And then … I break the seal.
