"Ruth Ellen would be ashamed," Evelyn says, and that's the one that lands. "She raised you better than this."
I can't breathe at the mention of my grandmother's name. Tate stands, but I cut him a look. There's nothing to do but stand here and take it.
"It’s true—that poor little girl doesn't know any better," Evelyn says again with hard, accusing eyes. "But you do."
It's a cold, easy blade through my ribs.
"We'll be praying for you both," Dottie says, but it's not a comfort. It's a condemnation.
With that, they tip their noses and walk away.
My guts twist, sick and painful.
Two women who I respect just flung every fear, every worry, every reason I had for staying away at me in front of a rapt, shit-talking audience. And every word hit me like a physical blow.
They just confirmed all the things I've been working so hard to convince myself aren't true.
But they're right.
She asked for this, for me. But I should have said no. I knew it would end badly, knew this was a possibility, but I did it anyway. And now, here we are. My sick brain lists out every time I've taken advantage of her, every decision I've made that preyed on her inexperience, all under the bullshit guise of helping her. Teaching her.
The only person I'm helping is myself.
My gaze finds Molly in the stands, watching me solemnly. She saw the whole thing, heard every word. Even from here, I can see the confusion on her face, the hurt.
This is what I've done to her. Exposed her to ridicule and judgment. Made her a target. And there's only one way to fix it. Only one way to try and repair the damage I've done.
She doesn't know how to protect herself, not against this.
But I do.
The truth of it hurts so bad, I can't breathe.
If I really care about her, if I really want to protect her?
I have to end it.
The loss is cold. Lonely. Familiar.
Should have known better.
I've never been able to keep nice things.
CHAPTER 28
NOSIEST NELLIES
MOLLY
The game is over. We lost. And I think I’m going to throw up.
My head is spinning from the spectacle those two women caused, tearing into Grey at the dugout fence.
I heard everything.
Saw you last night….that girl…shame on you…Ruth Ellen would be ashamed.
And then they walked away, and Grey just stood there, frozen.
