The details were a hazy. Bliss’ confession, her loud sobs, her contractions, my feeling of hopelessness… I remembered driving toward my parents’ house when I spotted Tyler’s car in the parking lot. I remembered walking into the bar and seeing that nigga laughing with his friends, acting like he hadn’t put his hands on my sister. But everything else seemed jumbled.
I peered up at Lennox. “Really?” My voice sounded foreign to my own ears.
He searched my eyes, but there was something about his stare. I felt seen, almost like he understood me. “Yes.”
“I didn’t…?”
He shook his head. “You didn’t,” he confirmed.
The lump that had formed in my throat felt big, too big to swallow. I wanted to say something but couldn’t find the right words. I couldn’t articulate how grateful I was in that moment.
“Blake,” Jace said, approaching us. “You can go home.”
With wide eyes, I glanced at Jace. “Are you sure?” My eyes burned with unshed tears. I wouldn’t let them fall.
Jace shot me a sad smile. “You can give a statement tomorrow.” He pulled me into a warm embrace. “I’ll check on you later.” He kissed my brow. “Tell Bliss…I’m sorry.” Then, he walked out of the bar.
“I have to go,” I whispered to no one in particular.
Lennox squeezed my hand. “Not like this. Come on.”
Several minutes later, I was seated across from Lennox at a nearby café. We hadn’t spoken since we’d arrived. He merely deposited me at a booth, went to grab two cups of coffee, and returned with cream, sugar, honey, milk—everything a person might need to make a decent cup.
My mind wouldn’t stop running. I couldn’t get the image of Bliss out of my head; I couldn’t stop hearing her cry. I needed to go to her, but I also couldn’t move.
“Did you call your sister?” Lennox asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
Clearing my throat, I shook my head. “I’m going to text my other sister. She’s there with her. I just needed a moment.” I would’ve never left Bliss alone, no matter how angry I was. Dallas had arrived shortly before I’d left. I hadn’t told her anything—I’d just walked out.
Did Bliss tell her what happened with Tyler? If she had, all of my siblings and my parents were probably at my house right this minute. Luckily, Tyler had been arrested. I imagined my brothers would be trying to find him and wear his ass out. Duke especially.
“Bliss is the good one,” I said, my voice small. “She’s so sweet, giving, loving. He used her from the beginning.” I met Lennox’s gaze, noted the concern in his brown eyes. “I protected her. I tried…” I squeezed my eyes closed. “I wasn’t there. I’ve been so angry, so distant. She’d been calling all day, but I stayed away from my house because I needed time to myself. I needed ameday.”
We’d had a busy week. Several family members and friends had traveled to Michigan for Bliss’ baby shower last Saturday, so there was always a dinner, always a game night, always something to attend. Today was the first day I didn’t have to do family stuff. So I’d spent the day at the spa by myself. Instead of going home afterward, I’d gone to the movies, grabbed a bite to eat alone. Finally, I’d made it home, only to find my sister on the floor, bawling her eyes out. It had taken her a while to talk to me, but when she had, I couldn’t control my rage. Not just at Tyler, but at myself for being such a moody bitch. I’d made the decision to go on this Yak-less, dick-less journey. None of my family deserved the wrath I’d unleashed on them this past week. Now, all I felt was guilt. Because I could’ve been there.
“It’s not your fault,” Lennox said, placing his hand on mine.
Warmth spread from my hand up my arm and filled every space of my body. The simple touch, the innocent gesture, was more than him comforting me. For some reason, I couldn’t help but feel safe with him, almost like I could share anything. Which was ridiculous, since I barely knew him. I’d only seen him two other times that I could remember, and one of those times I’d been caught breaking into his house. He should’ve hated me. Hell, I would’ve hated his ass if the shoe was on the other foot, if he’d accused me of doing something damning. But he’d shown me grace under extraordinary circumstances.
“As much as we want to be the savior, as much as we want to fix it, sometimes we can’t be there,” he continued. “That doesn’t make you a bad person, it makes you human.”
I stared at him. His words…the intensity in his eyes told me he’d been there. I wanted to know more about it, more about him. “I didn’t expect to end up at that bar,” I confessed.
“We never do.” He smirked. “Sometimes the bar is where we need to be, though. Drinks, food…a good bar fight. Sounds like fun to me.”
I laughed. “Thank you.”
He sipped his coffee, eyeing me over the rim of his cup. “Glad I could make you laugh.”
I picked up my phone. Dallas had sent five texts, each one worse than the other. Not with bad news, but with her cussing my ass out for not responding. I fired off a text:I’ll be home soon.
A few seconds later, another message from Dallas popped up:I’m kicking your ass on sight.
Smirking, I stuffed my phone in my pocket. “I’d better get going.”
Lennox stood. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
On the short walk, we didn’t say much. Just small talk about potholes and cold weather. I needed the distraction from the loud thoughts that wanted to pervade. Pointing to my car, I said, “That’s me.” I reached out to open my door, but he moved faster, opening it for me.
