“I don’t know. It’s all gone. Garbage. I’m so stupid. I should never have left it behind, but I thought it was safe here. I didn’t even lock the door. He could just walk right in.”
“You’re not stupid. There is no way you could have predicted this would happen.”
She buries her face in my shirt and continues to cry. Words are not enough right now.
Fishing my phone out of my pocket, I pull up my text thread with Carson.
I need help
Carson
What? Not even a hello?
I’m serious
I have a situation at the trailer
Carson
What’s going on?
Braden has been here, and ransacked the place.
Carson
Oh shit. Is Beck okay?
No
Carson
Getting in the truck now. Be there in five
Tucking my phone away, I say, “Come on. Let’s go outside.”
Sitting back, she says, “I need to clean up this mess. I can’t leave it like this.” Her lip trembles as she takes in the small space.
“We will. Let’s go outside for a minute to clear our heads and make a plan.” I place a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Reluctantly, she climbs off my lap, and we stand. Bending, she picks up and smooths out a crumpled photo of herself sitting on the deck at Hannah’s cabin, surrounded by all her girlfriends. She lets it slip through her fingers, and it floats to the floor.
“Come on.” I reach for her hand. She hiccups and wipes her red, swollen eyes with the back of her arm before taking mine and follows me outside.
“Do you want to sit in the truck and keep warm while we wait?”
Her forehead crinkles. “Wait for what?”
“Reinforcements.”
Biting her lower lip, she shakes her head. “No, I’m okay.” I pull my beanie out of my coat pocket and pull it over her head,tucking the loose strands behind her ears. If she is catching a cold, at least I can try to keep her warm.
Moments later, Carson arrives, but he’s not alone. Logan and Hannah are right behind him in her Jeep, followed by Riot, Claire, and Megan.
“What’s going on?” Still chewing her bottom lip, she glances at me as everyone gets out of their vehicles.
“I told Carson you needed help. He must have called in the cavalry.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I can clean it up by myself.” Her chin quivers as she dips her head.
