Charlotte screams and bolts from my bedroom. I freeze, my father motionless underneath me. I hear the front door slam shut. What have I done?
I feel Starlet sit next to me, even smell her sweet scent. But it’s not enough to bring me out of my dark trance.
I leave my father lying on the floor and chase after Charlotte. She’s several houses down the road before I catch up with her. “Charlotte?” I grab her from behind.
She’s out of breath. “Let go of me, Austin.” She struggles to break free.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I don’t understand why she’s running away from me.
When she figures out I’m not going to let her go without explanation, she settles down and looks at me, shivering in my arms. “I-I can’t deal with any of this right now.”
“Have I ever hurt you?”
“N-no.”
“My old man is a sonofabitch. I’m not him.”
“Please, Austin. I-I know he’s the one to blame for all of this. I’m sorry, really I am…”
My arms drop to my sides. I know what she’s going to say next. The violence is too much for her to handle. I’m volatile and dangerous. Her parents would never let her date me if they knew the truth about what goes on in my father’s house. How could I have ever invited her home with me… It’s an endless list of sins I’ve committed. All in the name of wanting her.
We stare at each other for a long time, neither one of us moving.
She finally sighs. “I care, Austin.”
I let her go without a fight, standing in the middle of street as she walks away. Out of my life forever.
As I drift back to the present, there’s movement beside me. Starlet is getting up. I don’t want her to go, so I take her hand and hold on tight. “Stay with me.”
“All right.”
She doesn’t question me or throw me a judgmental look, but curls her legs up on the couch and leans back, cradling my hand in hers. “Whatever it is, Brick, I can handle it. I’m a great listener.”
I gaze at her with wonder. How can she give a shit about me when her world is about to implode? “Jesus,” I say. “You should hate me, Starlet—not care about what’s on my mind.”
“Hate’s a big word, Brick. Disappointed, yes. Hurt—absolutely. But once I care…” She caresses my face. “You already know.”
Yeah, I do. That’s the problem.
