Page 133 of Bad Wolf
He nods, eyes agape as take another step back.
“Can you take care of yourself?”
“That’s—”
“And can you just tell me what happened to Mom? Why she left.”
“I told you before…”
“No. I want the truth. Just this one thing. Just this once.”
He sighs and shakes his head, “She couldn’t take the lows with the highs, Birdy. Hopped into a truck at the diner one day and never looked back.”
I choke on a sob.
“But look who’s laughing now! Me and you.”
“Bye, Dad.”
Both he and Knox stand abruptly as I turn and bolt.
I can’t stop the flood of tears as I push open the hotel lobby doors and hit the pavement at a speed that has the rest of my body trying to catch up with my legs.
I don’t wait for the walk sign to change again as I sprint across the street with only four seconds on the countdown, and a taxi edging it’s way around the corner.
My lungs burn as I try to breathe through the sobs.
Even through the misery, I’m already worrying about him. Will he blow through all that money or will he use it to set himself right?
I fear I’ll never know.
My heart cracks at the thought of that being the last time I ever see him. I’m only twenty-four. I’m not ready to be parentless.
Anna lost both hers in a tragic accident. Troy and Theo lost their dad on 9/11. They carry that grief with them every day, and yet I’m willing to just cut him out of my life?
That thought builds a pressure in my head that’s almost unbearable, almost has me turning back and begging him to change, but then out of nowhere, two strong arms encircle me.
“Hey, it’s okay. You’re okay.”
The rich scent of sandalwood, amber and cedar fills my senses, and I collapse into Knox’s arms.
“I sent him away.” I cry and clutch at the material covering Knox’s chest. He holds me so tight I can hardly breathe, but I revel in it. I need him so much.
“I know. And he’s not coming back until he’s changed. I made sure of it.”
He pulls me out of the way of the people bustling by, and tucks me into the corner of the Whole Foods store not far from his apartment. I just ran ten blocks.
“I’m sorry I was right. I wanted so badly for things to have changed.”
“Really? But you hate him. You banished him from my life the minute he stepped foot in the apartment.”
“You’re right. I did do that. But because I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. If he’d have come to you a new man,” he grimaces, “Then eventually I would have tried to get on board.” he shakes his head again, “For your sake.”
“Thank you,” I hiccup. “You’re obviously a better judge of character than I give you credit for.”
“We can try again. Let some time pass and then maybe we can have my dad do some digging. Find out how he’s getting on.”
I nod feebly, shivers racking my body.
