He stays near the entrance, hands in his pockets, giving me space."Where did your mam and Warren go?"
"To his auntie's.They'll be gone for a few nights.I thought it would be safer."
He nods, still not moving closer.Waiting for me to set the pace.
I gesture toward the sitting room."Do you want tea?Or..."
"I'm grand.Just wanted to make sure you're alright."
We move to the couch.I sit at one end, curled into the corner.He sits at the other, giving me distance but close enough that I can feel his presence.
For a long moment, neither of us speaks.
Then I say quietly, "I've been thinking about what you said.About Declan.About...everything."
"Yeah?"
"I need you to understand what he's like.Really understand."I pull my knees up, wrapping my arms around them."He doesn't just hurt you and walk away.He's methodical.Patient.He watches.Learns what you're afraid of.Then uses it."
Tank's jaw tightens, but he doesn't interrupt.
"When I was with him, it started small.Comments about what I wore, who I talked to, where I went.Then it was checking my phone.Showing up places I didn't expect him to.Making sure I knew he was always watching."
My voice is steady, detached, like I'm telling someone else's story.
"Then it got worse.He'd block the door when we argued.Stand too close.He never hit me where anyone could see.Always places I could hide.My ribs.My thighs.Just enough to leave me sore and shaken.Just enough to make me know he could.”
"Enya..."Tank's voice is rough.
"I'm not telling you this for sympathy.I'm telling you because you need to know what you're getting into.Declan doesn't stop.He doesn't give up.And if he thinks you're..."I stop, swallow hard."If he thinks you're something to me, he'll come after you too."
"Let him."
"You don't understand?—"
"No, you don't understand."Tank leans forward slightly, eyes locked on mine."I'm not scared of him.And I'm not going anywhere.Whatever he throws at me, I can handle.What I can't handle is you going through this alone."
My throat tightens."Why do you care so much?"
"Because you matter."
"You barely know me."
"I know enough."
The words hang between us, heavy and true.
"You make me feel safe," I whisper."I don't know what to do with that."
His expression softens."You don't have to do anything with it.Just...let yourself have it.For once."
I stare at him, this man who showed up when I didn't ask.Who held me when I broke.Who promised to stand between me and the thing I'm most afraid of.
And I realize, I don't want distance anymore.
I reach for his hand.Slowly.Giving him time to pull away.
He doesn't.
