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My dad sets a hand on the side of my head and kisses my forehead. “I’ll do anything for you, my sweet girl. I’ll do whatever it takes, I promise.”

I pace my apartment most of the night, fighting the urge to go to Evan’s to check on Emma. I know where he lives. Weslyn isn’t a very big town, much like Hollis. It’s easy enough to find out where people live by asking about the town’s history and the homes that have stood for generations. The Mathews’ place being one of them. And not everyone is happy about out-of-towners living in one of their most historic houses.

Everyone has something to gripe about. Small-town gossip speculated about what happened to me—to my family—for years, and they never got it right. Not the reporters. Not the police. Not even the people closest to us. The truth burned away and is now buried with my father.

My phone ringing stops me in my tracks. I reach for it on the counter. “Hi. How are you?” My voice is more urgent than I intend.

“I’m okay,” Emma answers glumly.

“Are you sure? You didn’t look okay last night.” I can’t get her horrified expression out of my head.

“I will be.”

After a pause, I say, “I can’t believe she did that. I wanted to go after you, but Evan was already out the door, and she started screaming at me. Sorry. I should’ve gone anyway.”

“No. I understand.”

“Where are you now? At Sara’s?”

“No, I’m back home.” I can barely hear her.

“You are?” I can’t hide my shock. The sleeplessness is exposing all of my emotions. “Why?”

“Umm…” She hesitates before explaining. “Because she’s my mother, and I don’t think she should have to go through this alone anymore.”

“Emma, what she did was horrible. How—” I need to reel it in. I force myself to take a breath. The last thing she needs is more guilt. “I don’t understand how you can let it go like it wasn’t a big deal.”

“I’m not… exactly,” she says weakly. “I just think I understand better now, that’s all.”

I run a hand through my hair, fighting the fire blazing in my chest. “I couldn’t let her treat you like that. I had to end it. You understand, right?”

I don’t make excuses or try to soften it. It should’ve ended weeks ago, but I couldn’t leave Emma. I still can’t.

“I knew it was coming.” She sounds resigned. “I should get going.”

“Call me,” I tell her before she can end the call. “If you need anything, even just to say hi, okay? Just call me.” I want to take her out of that house, by force if I have to. A call seems like the weakest offering, but it’s a lifeline—a way to stay in her life.

“I will,” she promises, but I don’t know if I believe her. Not until later that night, when my phone rings at two forty-seven.

“Hi. Can’t sleep?”

Emma answers with a small laugh, like she’s relieved I’m up too. “No. You either?”

“Nope. What are you watching?”

Emma takes me up on calling and texting whenever she needs me. Which is practically nightly, when she’s woken by a nightmare. Sometimes she wakes me when I’m actually asleep, but I don’t let her know. I want to be here for her, no matter when.

The conversations seep deeper the more we talk. She updates me about Rachel, and I pretend that I care. I only act interested so I can be sure Rachel’s keeping her fangs to herself and hasn’t unleashed another venomous attack.

I keep my distance.

Thankfully we’re still a couple weeks out from our monthly team meeting, so Rachel has time to adjust to my absence. She texts, but I never respond. The only reason I haven’t blocked her is because of Emma. Just in case something happens.

Sorry you didn’t win the championship. It was a close game.”

“Yup.” She sighs.

“That foul was a bad call.”