"She could've stayed with us," Jacob says in a quiet voice. "She didn't have to go. He wasn't here anymore. She was safe."
I let out a harsh laugh. "You really think she believed she was safe? He almost killed her. And he has friends. Friends who like beating up women as much as he does. If Mom started dating and Dad found out, you really think she'd be safe?"
"They're divorced. He shouldn't care if she dates."
"You can't be serious right now," I say, rubbing my jaw as I pace the floor. I stop and turn to Jake. "You don't know Dad at all, do you? You've made up all these excuses for him in your head to convince yourself he's not that bad. You have no idea what he's really like."
"Then let me get to know him!" Jake yells, racing up to me, fuming with anger. But when I look at his eyes, I don't see it. I don't see the type of anger I saw in my father's eyes. And in my own. Jake didn't get those genes. The ones that turn you into a monster.
"Please," Jake begs. "Please let me see him. I just want to talk to him."
I turn and walk away. My anger is at an all-time high and I feel like I'm about to lose it. I'm afraid if I do, I'll hurt Jake, like physically hurt him.
"I need to get out of here," I say, going to get my keys.
"Dean, please," Jake says, his voice cracking. I look over and see tears running down his cheeks.
For some reason that makes me even angrier.
"I can't be around you right now," I say, racing to the door. "I'll be back later."
I swing open the door, shocked when I see who's standing on the other side.
What the hell is Brook doing here?
She has her hand raised like she was about to knock. She slowly lowers it, her eyes on mine.
"Um, hi," she says, her lips rising to a smile. "Are you going somewhere?"
Goddamn, she looks hot, wearing cut-off shorts and a tiny white t-shirt, her silky blond hair held up in ponytail. She has on just a hint of make-up, her lips a glossy pink that has me remembering that dream, and where she had those lips.
"Dean?" she says, getting my attention. "Are you leaving?"
"Um, maybe," I say, noticing I no longer feel angry. It seemed to disappear the moment I saw her, a sudden calmness coming over me. I've never had that happen. I usually need a good hour to calm down after a fight like the one I just had with Jake.
"Can I come in?" Brook asks, peeking around me to look inside.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Jake. We have tutoring today."
"Tutoring? I didn't set anything up."
Jacob comes up beside me. "I set it up."
"You WHAT?" I turn to him, my anger returning.
"I needed help. I have a test in English next week and I don't understand the stuff in the book."
"And you didn't think to ask me first before inviting her over here?"
"I thought you knew," Brook says. "Sorry. I can just go."
"No! Wait!" I tell her as she turns to leave. "Just give us a minute."
She turns back, looking at me and then Jake. "I'll just wait out here."
Jake and I go in the house and I shut the door.
