Page 83 of Catalyst
He also confessed to having his PI look into my background, and it’s only because of him that Adam knew Junior had attacked me again. At first, I was a little miffed that he tried to get my information from someone else, but then I realized how much my background could’ve impacted him and his business. Not to mention how heated he got when he talked about needing to know who hurt me without forcing me to relive the moment again. It made me sick to think about all the women Junior had hurt over the years. I was horrified and simultaneously felt a little less alone in my pain.
“They’re all in an uproar because they don’t have the full story. Without the details, they’ve got room to speculate and form opinions on what happened. It makes the story more exciting,” Adam explains.
“Is there anything we can do? Put out a statement or something?” I just want this whole nightmare to be over and to get our lives back.
“Matthew and I are talking with Jessica about our options. They asked to meet us this afternoon if you’re up for it.”
“Yes, I am. I’m ready to move on.”
Adam kisses me on the top of my head again before he sits up to grab his phone. I’m assuming he’s sending a text to Matthew and Jessica, letting them know they can come over.
“Okay, we’re set to meet Jessica at four, but Matthew asked if he can come over earlier. He said he’d like to see that you’re okay with his own eyes.”
I shake my head and laugh. I haven’t seen any of my friends in person since I got to Adam’s. I called Katie and Sue to let them know I’m okay, but I haven’t felt up to visitors. My emotions were too close to the surface, and I needed some time to process what happened. “That’s fine. Maybe ask him to give me an hour to shower.”
“Done.” Adam sets his phone on the coffee table.
I stand up and grab his hand. “Come help me wash my hair.”
He grins at me. “Happily.”
* * *
“So… here’s the deal,” Adam says as he walks into his bathroom. I spit the toothpaste out of my mouth and rinse my teeth. It’s amazing how much better a shower and clean teeth can make you feel.
My gaze meets Adam’s in the mirror, and I raise my eyebrows at his obvious nerves.
“Matthew let it slip to our parents that he was coming over to see you, which they took as an invitation to also come over. All three of them are downstairs right now.” He grimaces. Before I can respond, Adam backtracks. “I’ll just tell them to leave. They shouldn’t have come over without asking first.”
I grab his arm before he can walk out of the bathroom. “Hey, it’s okay. I don’t mind that they’re here.” It actually makes me feel incredibly loved, but there’s no way I could say that out loud without getting choked up.
His shoulders relax, and a soft smile curls the corners of his mouth. “Be prepared for them to be over the top. I think I saw my mom bring in about five bags of food.”
I nod my head and follow him downstairs. Commotion in the kitchen reaches me before we walk into the room. A smile stretches across my face at the scene in front of me.
“Do you think you went a little overboard on the food, Mom?” Matthew asks.
“No, I do not. That girl deserves some comfort food more than anyone else right now, and I wanted her to have options.”
“She’s going to have options for a year.”
“Oh, stop it.”
“There is a lot of food here, my love.” Steven runs a loving hand down Cindy’s back. I take in the six casserole dishes on the counter, and I have to agree with him. She made a lot of stuff.
“I did too much, didn’t I? I don’t want to overwhelm the poor girl.” Cindy wrings her hands as she glances at Steven.
Adam looks at me, his eyes wide as if to sayI told you so.I squeeze his hand and step into the kitchen. “Hey, everyone.”
Cindy races around the island and cups my cheeks in her hands. “Oh, beautiful girl. You’re so brave. You’re healing okay? Is Adam taking good care of you?”
My eyes tear up at the display of affection. “I’m okay. Adam has been wonderful.”
“Good. I’ll happily kick him in the pants if he’s not. Just let me know.” She winks.
Steven steps up next to her and gently pats my uninjured shoulder. “Glad you’re okay, kiddo.”
“All right, you two. Give her some space,” Matthew says. He pushes in front of his mom and wraps me in a hug.
