I pull up a chair and sit down beside her. “I don’t think they’ll care. You’re here for your nose.”
She turns to the side. “Do you still think it’s not broken?”
I stand and assess the damage again. I broke my nose once in middle school and there was an immediate bump in the bridge. Even once they set it the bump never quite went away. But Thea’s nose is still perfectly straight. “I think you’re good, but it’s still best to get it checked out.”
She nods, still swinging her legs. She shivers and rubs her hands up and down her arms. It is freezing in here, but since it’s hot as balls outside I don’t have a jacket to offer her. There is a blanket sitting on another chair and I grab it and drape it around her shoulders.
“Thanks.” She gives me a grateful smile.
There’s a knock on the door and I turn around to see our friends.
Rae pokes her head in. “They said we could come back.”
I nod and motion them inside.
With the four of them there’s not much room left in the small space, but I can see Thea relax, happy that they’re here.
“So,” Jace begins, “would anyone care to tell me what the fuck is going on?”
I look at Cade and see his shoulders tense. Rae wraps her arms around him and whispers something in his ear.
Cade takes a deep breath and the room fills with tension. “My father abused me as a child, but the abuse never really stopped. It’s continued even now. He was aiming for me today and got Thea instead.” He sweeps his fingers toward his little sister and winces. “You shouldn’t have gotten in the way, Thea.”
She raises her chin defiantly. “He shouldn’t have been hitting you in the first place.”
Cade sighs. “True, but it is what it is.”
Thea snaps. “No, no, no. Don’t say that. It’s not, ‘it is what it is’. Don’t excuse his actions. He doesn’t deserve that. He’s not a good dad. He’s a bad person and he should’ve never laid a hand on you.” She begins to cry anew. “It should have never been normal for you.”
Cade wets his lips. “How’d you know? You had to know or you wouldn’t have followed us.”
Thea swallows thickly and tells him the same thing she told me in the car about coming home early and witnessing Cade getting hit by their father.
Everyone in the room grows solemn. Abuse is one of those things you know about, but don’t really think about until you’re confronted face to face with it and it’s scary to think that someone that should protect them, their father, hurt them both so deeply. Cade with fists, Thea with words. I can’t imagine having a child and ever hurting him or her. It seems impossible to feel so darkly toward a child.
“I didn’t want him to hurt you again.” Thea’s voice cracks. “I wanted this to be the last time.”
My gaze swings to Cade, standing at the foot of the bed with his back against the wall, and I watch as he breaks down. He covers his face and a sound escapes his throat that’s half-tortured, half-relieved. Rae rubs his back as he cries, hiding his face from us. I don’t think I’ve seen Cade cry ever, and it’s weird to see him breaking down to this degree, but we all know he needs it so we say nothing and give him this moment.
I feel Thea’s hand on my stomach and I reach down, placing my hand on hers. She looks at me with sad but hopeful eyes.
“Fuck,” Jace says after a while and once Cade has composed himself. “I never even imagined.” He presses his lips together and then asks the question I think we’ve all been wondering. “Why didn’t you hit him back? At least, once you got older? I mean, you’re a big guy, you could’ve taken him.”
Cade looks to the ceiling and Rae squeezes his hand. He sighs heavily and says, “I’d come to expect it and feel like I deserved it, and then, in recent years, I’ve …” He paused. “Hitting him back felt like stooping to his level and I didn’t want to do that.”
Rae leans her head against his arm and whispers something.
Cade whispers to Thea, “I can’t believe you knew. I thought I was protecting you by not saying anything. I never wanted him to go after you.”
She gives him a sad smile. “He might not have gone after me with fists but he went after me in other ways. I hope Mom will finally leave him,” she whispers the last part. “We’ve all spent too much of our lives being scared of him and he shouldn’t get to rob the rest of our years. I want to wash my hands of him and pretend he doesn’t exist.”
“Me too,” Cade echoes. “I’ll tell Mom if she needs a place to stay she can crash with us. It’s not like this one sleeps in his bed anymore.” He points at me. I laugh and lower my head to Thea’s, hiding my smile behind her hair.
Another knock sounds on the door and it opens, revealing the doctor and a nurse.
“Oh,” the doctor says, reeling back in shock at the amount of people. “Um …”
“We’ll be in the waiting room,” Cade says, leading Rae out.
Jace and Nova follow, both giving Thea reassuring smiles.
Once the door closes behind them, the doctor introduces himself and looks Thea over. Like I thought, her nose isn’t broken, but it’s going to be sore and she’s going to have one wicked bruise on her face.
Before we leave the room, Thea heads down the hall to wash her face and I wait in the room for her.
Today has been insane, which feels like the understatement of the century.
Between the tubing thing, my mom going ape-shit about the marriage, and then this with Thea’s dad, I’m exhausted.
But I know the battle is only beginning.
We’ve opened up a massive black hole where everything’s being sucked inside, and I really fucking hope we’re not next.
I wake up the next morning with Xander’s arms wrapped around me and Prue by my legs. It might be a sweet moment if it weren’t for the throbbing of my face. I feel like shit.
I maneuver my way out of his hold and manage to get by Prue without kicking her.
I stumble into the bathroom, the throbbing in my head making the short walk seem impossible.
I get into the bathroom and grasp the counter, holding myself steady as my head spins. It’s so bad I think I might throw up. I reach for the switch and turn the light on. I slowly lift my head and get a look at my reflection.
I squeak in fright. “Oh, my God what is that?”
Me. It’s me.
My hair is a mess, basically a wild and untamable beast, but my face? It looks I stuck it in a blender and tried to puree it. The skin around my nose and left cheek is a mixture of red, purple, green, and yellow, and if I stare closely enough I can see where it looks like blood vessels have popped. I look like a cartoonish monster from a kid’s book.
I take a deep breath and turn the faucet, running warm water. I splash some on my face, wishing it would wipe away the disgusting swirl of colors there, but unfortunately, they stay.
Ugh.
Shower. A shower is a must if I’m going to at least have my hair under control.
I turn the water on and make sure it’s steaming hot. I plan on staying in there as long as I can.
After my shower, I wrap a towel around my body and blow-dry my hair, then slather the makeup on to hide the hideous bruise. I pad into my room and over to the closet. I grab a pair of black scallop shorts with a gray t-shirt.
I drop my towel in the hamper and Xander gives a sleepy yawn. “Hey,” he says, his voice thick.
“Morning.” I walk over to the bed and sit down, stretching my legs out.
He leans over and presses a quick kiss to my lips. He smiles crookedly but quickly sobers. “How are you feeling?”
“My face feels like I took a meat mallet to it, but other than that, I’m fantastic.” I smile.
He chuckles. “You’re hysterical.”
“I try.” I laugh and he grabs my hips, pulling me closer. My laughter intensifies and I end up in his lap, straddling him. I place my hands on his firm chest, and his skin is so warm it nearly burns my palm.<
br />
“I’m sorry you’re hurt,” he whispers, touching his fingers delicately to my tender skin. I did a good job of covering it up with foundation and concealer but some spots were impossible to hide completely.
“It’ll heal,” I whisper back, entwining my fingers behind his neck and leaning my forehead against his.
He presses his palm to my chest, right over my heart. “Will this heal?”
I nod. “Eventually.” I press my lips together and then admit, “I hope I never have to see him again. I know it’s wrong to say this, but I hate him. I hate him for what he did to Cade, to me, to my mom, and I hate him even more for the act he put on to everyone else like he was this great guy when it was nothing but a lie. He was a monster hiding in plain sight, and it’s scary to think about how many others are out there like that.”
Xander nods, rubbing his hands up and down my arms. “Yeah, it is scary,” he agrees.
I have had enough serious talk so I press a kiss to his lips and slip from the bed. “I’m going to grab some coffee. You want any?”
He shakes his head. “Not right now.”
I nod and head downstairs, fixing the coffee since no one else is up yet.
Prue comes down and gives a little whine so I put her leash on and take her down the street. On the way back, I grab the newspaper from the box and take a look at it as I walk back up the driveway. One article causes me to pause.
Local Football Hero Victim of Years of Physical Abuse
“Oh, shit,” I whisper. Then think to myself, how? How does the news know about this already? Then it clicks. “Stan,” I hiss.
Stanley Berk went to high school with Cade and then went off to college for journalism. I remember him working for the high school newspaper and he was always doing these revealing articles on his fellow classmates. The guy was a leach.
Sure enough, I search for the author of the article, and the name Stanley T. Berk stares back at me.
I head inside with Prue and let her off her leash, then sit down at the table so I can read the article.
Yesterday, on a beautiful July Fourth evening, it came to light that our local football hero, Cade Montgomery, has been living a secret hell. His father, a man we always assumed was a kind and supportive man, physically abuses him. On this night, his sister, Thea Montgomery, stepped in the way and got hurt, and was subsequently taken to the hospital. At this time, we do not have an update on her injury, but as I was a witness, I can attest to the fact that it was a bloody scene. After his sister was carried off, Cade Montgomery revealed to the group of us that his father has abused him since he was very young. For all of you that have wondered why Cade Montgomery didn’t go pro and follow the path we all thought was destined for him, I think we finally have our answer. I’m hoping to acquire an interview with Cade and his sister to follow up this article.
I sigh heavily. Fucking Stan.
If this is already in the newspaper it will soon be online everywhere and it will be a big deal with the star power Cade had on his college team. He only recently graduated. He still matters to so many people and they’ll be heartbroken and livid to find out their star player has been subjected to abuse his whole life.
I push the newspaper away. I can’t think about it right now.
I pour myself the cup of coffee I originally came down for and add enough cream and sugar to put an elephant in a coma.
I head upstairs and back into my room.
Prue is already on the bed again and Xander is sitting up, his hair a mess.
“I think we should stay in bed and watch TV all day,” he declares.
“Sounds good to me,” I agree, climbing in bed.
I giggle as he pulls me over and in-between his legs. “Charmed?” he asks. “We have one season left.”
I nod. “Let’s do it. Rip it off like a Band-Aid.” He chuckles. “Hey,” I defend, “it’s always sad ending a show we love.”
“Yeah, but we get to start a new one.”
“True,” I agree, and then laugh when Prue licks my toes. “That tickles.”
Xander grabs the remote and starts the show and soon I’m sucked into the mysterious world of the Halliwell sisters.
We’re halfway thru the second episode when Cade barges into the room. I’m not surprised to see the newspaper dangling from his fingertips.
“Did you see this?” He tosses the newspaper on the bed and Xander grabs it. “This is unbelievable.” Xander scans the article and hisses between his teeth. “An interview?” He puts his hands on his hips and paces my room. “Is he out of his mind? Like I’m going to talk to him?”
“Cade,” I say hesitantly, “I think you should talk. Maybe not to Stan, but to a journalist you respect. You speaking out could help a lot of kids.”
Cade winces. “Talking about it is difficult.”
“I know,” I say softly. “But think about when you were younger. If someone you had respected had come out that they were abused, maybe it would’ve helped.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose and mutters. “Fuck.”
I know I’ve finally gotten to him, so I continue. “I think you should see a therapist too.”
“Thea, I don’t need a fucking shrink. I’m not a crazy person. I’m not Dad.”
“I know that, but sometimes you need someone who’s not family or a friend to talk to. Someone with an unbiased opinion on the situation. Think about it,” I plead.
Cade sighs, his jaw clenched tight. “Yeah, I’ll think about it,” he agrees reluctantly. He claps his hands together and says, “Let’s go out for breakfast.”
I lift my head and look at Xander. “We’re having a lazy day,” I say.
Cade snorts. “Every day is a lazy day for you two. You’re couch potatoes.”
“Hey,” I defend. “I went to the gym twice this summer.”
He gives me a look. “Yeah, twice.”
“I go every day.” Xander raises his hand. “Plus, practice.”
I glare at him. “Yeah, well, you’re an overachiever.”
“Breakfast,” Cade says again. “Let’s go. We all have to eat and you can have your lazy day later.”
“Ugh,” I groan. “You’re so annoying. Go pester your girlfriend.”
He heads for the door and hollers, “Breakfast!” before he closes the door.
“We need to move,” I tell Xander. “Stat.”
He chuckles. “About that …”
“What?” I look over my shoulder at him.
He brushes my hair over my shoulder. “With my paycheck I can afford for us to have our own place. I didn’t want to say anything, because I didn’t want to push you, but it’s a possibility. Think about it.”
I swallow thickly and push down the panic. I know what I just said, but I meant it jokingly.
“What about when I go back to school?” I ask.
“We can get something close to there.”
“But then you’ll have to commute,” I remind him.
He laughs. “If we get something in the city you’ll have to commute.”
I press my lips together. “I don’t even want to go back to school,” I admit. “I feel so lost there, like I don’t belong. I hate being this clueless on what I want to do.” I take a sip of coffee, irritated by how cold it already is.
“You’ll figure it out,” Xander assures me.
I sigh. “I hope so.”
It sucks not having any idea what I want to do with my life. Nothing makes me feel excited or warm and fuzzy inside. I don’t want to pick something and settle, and end up unhappy for the rest of my life. I want to do something I love and ultimately make a change in the world.
“Breakfast!” we hear yelled again.
I laugh and slide my legs to the side and off the bed. “Man, he’s determined.”
Xander shrugs and stretches his arms above his head. I might ogle his chest shamelessly as he does that, but with the show his muscles put on how can you blame me?
“He’s worried about
you,” he says, standing and oh Lord, the way his sweatpants sit low on his hips … Mmm, it’s safe to say I’m thinking all the dirty thoughts.
“Yeah, well he can just unworry,” I counter.
Xander snorts. “I don’t think unworry is a word, but nice try.”
“I like it,” I defend. “It makes it sound like there’s a switch you can flip on and off. Worry and unworry.”
He shakes his head at my antics. “I’m going to shower. Why don’t you head downstairs before your brother loses his mind?”
I sigh. “Sure thing, Captain.” He chuckles and closes the bathroom door behind him. “Come on, Prue.” I pat my hip, and she obediently jumps off the bed and follows me out of the room.
I find Cade in the family room, watching TV.
Before I can say anything, he yells, “Breakfast!” again.
I slap my hands over my ears. “Dude, chill out,” I groan. “I’m here and Xander will be down in a minute.”
Cade glances behind him, over the back of the couch, and grins sheepishly. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come down.”
“Obviously.” I rub my ear to try to stop the ringing. “Why is this breakfast so important?” I mimic his tone.
He shrugs and I take a seat beside him, drawing my legs up criss-cross.
“I don’t know,” he answers. “After yesterday, I think we should all be together.”
“That was insane,” I agree.
“Has Xander heard from his mom or dad?” he asks.
“Huh?” My brows furrow in confusion.
“You know, since his mom was so pissed.” He looks at me like I’ve completely lost my mind for not remembering, and I guess I have. In the aftermath, it slipped my mind.
“Shit,” I mutter, shoving my fingers through my hair roughly. “I forgot.”
The look on his mom’s face, that had hurt. I completely understand where she’s coming from, but that doesn’t make it suck any less. Especially for Xander.
“Maybe we should send her a gift basket of wines and cheese. Everyone loves wine, right?” I reason.
When Stars Collide (Light in the Dark #2) Page 18
