“Yep. I guess after a year of not dodging her fists, I forgot how she likes to lash out when I least expect it.”
“I’ll get some ice.”
“It’s fine. I can handle it.”
“Don’t be a prick. I’ll get you some ice.”
“So much for being a nice big brother.”
“I am being a nice big brother. I’m getting you some ice so you can stem the bruising. It already looks like it’s going to leave a nice shiner on your face.” Callum’s voice faded. “You’re going to have to call the cops.”
“And tell them what? I’m sorry I couldn’t take care of myself, I got punched by a girl?”
“This isn’t high school, Drew. Anyone else, you’d tell them to report her ass to the cops. It’s time you took this matter seriously. She’s back and I guess with the punched eye, you’re not going to get an easy divorce.”
“She wants me to get rid of Callie. If I don’t, she’s going to claim I’m the one who hurt her and she only defended herself. Then she’ll take Meghan from me.”
“You have to report her,” he said.
“Callum, what good would it do?”
“I don’t give a fuck. I’m not hearing this shit anymore.”
“Who got her here?” Drew asked.
“What?”
“Tilly, she’s been gone an entire year. Why now? Why would she turn up when I was moving on? She already knew about Callie. She came here with a mission. She already knew what she was going to do. How did she know that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Someone told her.”
“Who do you think?” Callum asked.
“Was it you?” Drew asked.
“Fuck no. I hated that bitch. I was the one who had to deal with the fallout whenever her temper flared. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
“No, but maybe my mom would,” he said.
“No. Mom wouldn’t do this.”
“She asked Callie what she’d do if Tilly returned and I did the right thing.”
“Come on, our parents?”
“Not our parents. Mom. She did this. I know she did.”
“I…” His brother couldn’t deny it. “Look, we’ll deal with that in a moment. For now, I’m calling Michael.”
“Why?”
“You’re going to report your eye, and then we’ll deal with it from there.”
Drew pressed the bag of frozen peas to his eye and tried not to panic. Talking to anyone about this upset him. This wasn’t what he wanted to do, and he didn’t want to let anyone know.
Callum hung up. “Michael is on his way.”
“Yay.”
“Drew, seriously, I’m here, okay.”
Tears filled Drew’s eyes. “You’re here. If you were here, you’d tell Michael not to bother coming.”
“There’s no shame right now.”
“Callum, stop.”
His brother took his hand, squeezing it tight. “I’m here for you. You have done enough. You have paid enough. Meghan is a beautiful girl. Tilly isn’t part of that. You are. You don’t have to keep on fighting and I for one am not letting her come in here and ruin your life. You’re not going to have to pick between Callie or Tilly. This isn’t a choice you’re going to have to make.”
“I got hit by a girl. Do you know how it sounds?” He couldn’t … he didn’t want … he wasn’t this kind of person. “I’m not afraid of Tilly.”
“I know. You didn’t get hit by a girl, Drew. You’ve been physically abused by Tilly for years. You have been attacked, hurt, and you don’t have to suffer this anymore.”
“But I’m no better than her. I hurt Callie.”
“Did you ever hit Callie? Ever attack her with a skillet? With an iron? Did you ever make her curl up in a corner, rocking? I saw you after she hit you with the iron, Drew. You sat in the nursery as Meghan slept. You didn’t think I saw you but I did. You rocked and you sobbed, and I couldn’t help you. You’re not a monster. You were a teenage asshole, but not anymore. You don’t have to suffer like this. Not now, not ever again. You’re going to be whole again. I promise.”
There was a knock at the door.
“I won’t leave your side after I open that door.”
Callum left and he heard Michael. He’d dealt with the sheriff a few times. He’d never been in trouble by him though.
Michael entered the room. “Hello, Drew.”
He lowered the peas.
“Callum’s given me the rundown. I think it’s time you started to talk and I don’t want you to leave anything out.”
“Even though it makes me sound like a pussy?”
“You’re not a pussy, son. Start from the beginning and don’t leave anything out.”
Callum sat next to him. His brother’s presence provided him with the strength he needed. Gritting his teeth, the tears fell, he opened his lips, and he started to talk about the hell his life had been prior to this past year.
****
“It’s a good thing Callum hasn’t come back yet, right?” Callie asked.
She sat with Leah, nursing a cup of steaming hot chocolate as Leah sipped at her wine.