Erin wasn’t sixteen anymore. She was a grown woman, and she was strong, and she wouldn’t cower and let herself be hurt even if she would be rejected by the man she loved in the end. She yanked herself free, sending Bel sprawling on her knees. “I said let go of me,” she said with remarkable calm. “And don’t ever speak to me that way again.”
Blake appeared in the doorway. “What the hell did she say?”
As Erin looked from Bel on the floor to Blake and Jeb standing in the doorway, shocked, she couldn’t even speak. It was too awful. She was too much the outsider here. Too much like Bel had described. Young and pretty, only good for a fuck.
She started to leave, pushing past Blake.
He caught her wrist, and she winced, cradling her arm close.
His eyes widened. “Did she hurt you?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said, her voice too wobbly to be believed. “I just want to go. I need to… I need to leave. Don’t worry about me.”
“How dare you.” He practically roared at his mother. “How dare you put your hands on her. How dare you even speak to her.”
His mother didn’t stand up, barely even looked up. Wouldn’t meet his eyes. “She’s a little tramp, Blake. Everyone can see it. It’s embarrassing, you bringing her here.”
“She doesn’t exist to you. Not anymore. And neither do I.” Blake turned to her, his expression like stone. “Go upstairs and pack. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”
He was going to continue defending her, and judging by the dark look in his eyes, it was going to be awful. Awful enough to ruin any chance of reconciliation between him and his parents. Even if he didn’t mind that thought now, he might eventually. She wouldn’t be responsible for that. She couldn’t.
“Please,” she begged. “Come with me. Take me away from here.”
Jeb stepped forward, his eyes somber. “Take care of her. She’s the most important. Your mother and I will have words. Don’t make the same mistakes I did.”
Blake looked torn. He gently pushed a piece of hair out of Erin’s eyes. “She can’t treat you that way. We should call the cops. Press charges.”
“I didn’t let her,” Erin said. Her voice grew stronger. “I stood up for myself, but now I just want to leave. There’s nothing for me here. The cops can’t help me now.”
He took her in his arms, careful as if he knew she might be sore. And she was, though more in her heart, than from anywhere his mother had touched. “My beautiful, brave girl. Let’s go. Let’s get you out of here.”
Blake
Blake drove without any idea where he was going.
Their original plan had been to spend one more night at his parents’ house. Then they’d head to Erin’s mother’s house in the morning. Instead they’d hastily packed their bags and tossed them in the trunk. It was nine o’clock at night, and he was barreling down the highway without a plan.
It occurred to him that he might not be in a good frame of mind to drive. He saw the road, but it was mostly a blur. A dark blur. Well, he wasn’t about to ask Erin to drive—not after she’d been berated and insulted. Not after she’d been fucking assaulted.
God, he still couldn’t believe his mother had gone that far.
It was despicable. It was unforgivable. It was a wonder Erin had even gotten in a car with him after what he’d subjected her to, but then again, it had been the fastest way out of that house. Had he lost her now? Had he really managed to fuck up the best thing in his life with one small, final act of loyalty to a family that didn’t deserve it? He should never have brought her for a visit.
He found himself pulling off on a familiar exit. He’d driven this way so many times that it felt like second nature, even though it had been years now. The manicured plots and bright storefronts quickly gave way to a dark, tree-lined road. It might even be spooky if he didn’t know how cheery the dappled black concrete and yellow stripes looked in the daylight.
He had no idea what Erin thought about this turn of events. She hadn’t spoken much since they’d left, just a few nods and murmurs when required.
“Away,” had been her answer, when he’d asked her where she wanted to go.
He didn’t like the idea of driving to Sofia’s house tonight. For one thing, it would take a few hours, so they’d be exhausted by then. For another, Sofia wasn’t expecting them, so it might inconvenience her. And lastly, he didn’t want to force Erin to confront her mother when she seemed somehow fragile. He knew they were close—definitely nothing like his relationship with his parents—but this particular issue hit a little close to home.
And so, he found himself heading toward Lover’s Point, a plateau with a great view of the city. By day it was visited by hikers along a five-mile trail. By night it served as the premier make-out spot.
He had no plans to make out with her. Even though she’d never been more beautiful, more desirable to him, she also seemed somehow untouchable. Ephemeral in the moonlight coming through the window, her skin pale and eyes fathomless.
Plus he couldn’t trust himself to be gentle right now.
Not with his rage so close to the surface. Still, it would be a quiet place they could sit and talk. If Erin would even talk to him.