“You did what?”His face floods with color.His words are a rush of panic.“Are you kidding?”
“I needed to protect you,” I explain urgently.
“You went by yourself?”His eyes flit over my body, like he’s expecting to find an injury.
“Someone had to.”I cup his cheek.“You’re worth protecting.”
The shock dissipates, and his eyes glisten with emotion.“I’m not ready to hear the details.But you went there to protect me…” He blinks, redirecting his gaze to the ceiling, to rein in the vulnerability he rarely reveals.When he turns his attention to me again, I only see love.“That was brave.”
“Or reckless,” I mutter.He lets out a chuckle.I’m still trembling.“You can never go back there.”It’s more a plea than a statement.
“I know,” he replies, brushing his knuckles over my cheek.“I don’t plan to, not while he’s alive.”
“I won’t let him hurt you.”I bury my face in his chest.“Never again.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
I’m silent when I leave for school.Not a word to my mother, who looks more worried than upset.Or to my dad, who may be more shocked this morning than by anything I said last night.
I don’t say anything to those who stare.Or to the teachers who question my antics.I’m not called to the principal’s office.Iamphotographed by the school paper.But I refuse the interview.Everything I have to say is written on me.
Shut Up!is scrawled in silver marker across the black duct tape sealing my mouth—for every call for help that’s silenced.
Danika and Jonathan gave me permission to be their voices.
Bruises shade my jaw and wrap around my neck in the shape of finger marks.I SEE YOUscreams in bold black paint across my fitted white shirt.Be(A)warebleeds red along the hem.
When I turn to walk away, the message in blue lingers:Abuse(rs) may be standing right next to you.
And suddenly, everyone is looking at everyone else.But they still don’t see what’s happening behind closed doors.Right next door.
Or right before their eyes.
Chapter Forty
Sadie.Wake up.”
I open my eyes.My mother hovers over me, a hand on my shoulder.“Hey, you’re okay.You’re safe.”
I scan my room, transported back.I’m unable to speak, still lost to the nightmare.
“It’s been a long time since you had a nightmare,” she says, smoothing my hair.“You okay?”
My voice finds me.“Yeah.”I push myself up to sit and swipe the sweaty strands from my face.“I’m okay.”Except my shaking hands don’t know that.
“You’re coming today, right?”I ask her, afraid something last minute came up and she’ll need to cancel, especially with it being the middle of the week.It’s rare that she has time for me.Dad always makes time, especially when Mom can’t.But I don’t want him with us today.
Today’s Senior Skip Day.It’s the last school tradition we spend with our families before graduation next month.
“Of course I’m coming.I planned a basket especially for the day.Jane and Samantha helped.And I bought extra-protective sunscreen, so you don’t have tan lines for prom tomorrow.”She tucks my tangled hair over my shoulder.“You should probably start getting ready.The boys will be here soon.”
Stretching, I finally feel awake.“I’ll be down in a bit.”I pull my blankets back and disappear into the bathroom.
What are you doing here?”
“I live here,” Gavin says, chomping on a piece of bacon.“Got home last night.Here for the summer.”He wraps me in a hug and proceeds to give me a noogie.“You missed me—I know it.”
I slap at his chest to get out of his hold.
