“What?” I whisper the word like it’s pierced my own chest with shock and fear.
“He paid my bail. All two thousand dollars of it. He paid my bailandpaid off the store to not press charges so I’m now about seven grand in debt to him.”
Seven thousand…
That’s a shit-ton of money, but it doesn’t deter me.
“How long have you been “working” for him?” I ask, using my fingers to do air quotes because what she’s doing isn’t working… It’s chasing her tail and every time she gets close, he pulls it back further.
“Since I was seventeen.”
“Oh my god,” I groan, the words leaving me like a gut punch.
“I know! That’s why I need to leave! I need to get out of here before he comes and finds me only to get you ensnared in this fucking mess,” she cries, tears pooling in her eyes as she breaks.
“Roxie, no!” I grab both of her hands and pull them to my chest, holding her tightly. “I lost you once, it’s not happening again.”
“You don’t understand!” she cries at me, struggling against my hold. If I thought she wasn’t serious about leaving, I’d let her go, but I can see it in her eyes, she only needs one push and she’ll disappear into the air.
“I do!” I match her volume. “I do, Roxie. I understand. You’re trying to protect me again, and I’m not letting it happen this time.”
“Think about this. Really think about this, Ty. You’re not just risking yourself. You’re risking Asher, your family, anything and everything you’ve built, for what? A girl you knew six years ago? I’m not the same girl!”
“And you think I’m the same guy, baby? Time changes us all, but the one thing that did not change about me? You. The weight of you is fucking etched into my skin where your head laid on me that last night. You’re tied to me like this cord is; tired, but true as hell.” I move both of her hands into one of mine, and reach into my pocket to pull out my wallet. “If I didn’t care, if I wasn’t still completely and totally hung up on you, would I still carry this around?”
Slowly, with a steadying breath because I’m about to bare my fucking soul to the girl I’ve been halfway in love with since the day she left me, I take out the drawing I made of her. That night in the clearing. It’s old, worn down from me holding it, the pencil lines are smudged, but it’s still her. Her peaceful, sleeping face smiling softly in the dark.
“Where did you get this?” She asks, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
“I drew it that night in the clearing. It’s old and I’m so much better at drawing now. I’ve recreated this drawing more times than I can count, but I keep this one. This one means the worldto me,” I whisper softly, putting all my intention behind my voice.
Roxie traces the picture softly, reverently, the other hand covering her dropped jaw as she continues to stare.
“Do you see now?” I whisper, leaning in closer.
Her eyes look up to mine, the dark brown irises of hers meeting mine. Roxie has a light ring of gold around the dark brown while mine are completely dark. No light to be seen.
“Ty,” she whispers, and I can see the brokenness within.
My god, cariño.Let me help you, let me keep you.
She swallows a lump in her throat, and I wait on bated breath—hoping, bleeding, praying, that she doesn’t use this to run.
I watch her, not letting a moment pass by. Not letting an emotion pass her face unrecognized or uncategorized.
Roxie nods slowly, as if each moment she takes to actually look at me, makes her feel more secure here. With me.
“I see it now,” she echoes my words and the rope of fear around my heart loosens slightly.
She might stay.
“Please, let me help you.”
Out of the corner of my eye I see Asher standing like a creeper in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest like he’s pissed off he wasn’t included in the conversation, but he’ll get over it. I shrug aggressively and gesture with my head, telling him to get in here if he’s going to fucking pout about it.
He steps forward, arms dropping to his side as he rests his arm–carefully–over her.
“Letushelp you.”
