Page 69 of Broken Silence
“Cole. I don’t want to know!”
His eyes slid over me like he was trying to figure me out. I hated to make him worry, but I couldn’t look at that stuff.
I took a breath.Don’t take it out on him.“I’m sorry. Hey.” He took my hand when I held it out. “I love that you care. You’re what’s keeping me sane, you always have been. I’ll try to keep myself in check.”
“No, don’t keep yourself in check. Shout and scream if you need to, but don’t hold back on me.”
“I don’t want to be a bitch to you.”
“If you’re going to be a bitch to anyone, I want it to be me.”
I almost laughed. “That’s ridiculous. Why would you want that?”
“I’m a masochist, and I want everything you have to give,” he replied, grinning.
“You should see someone about that.”
“Probably.”
“Fancy sharing a shower with me?”
His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “Fuck, yeah.”
I’d lost myself to Cole in the shower. He was very thorough in his bid to make me forget everything for a while. When we got out, my body had ditched the tension I’d been holding in my muscles.
But now it was time to face reality.
Mum, Jasper, Ali, and Lizzie were sitting on the sofa in Cole’s lounge when we made it downstairs. The temperature had dropped several thousand degrees.
How long had they been there? I’d not even heard their voices.
They all looked up at the same time, giving me the same forced smile.
“How are you holding up?” Mum asked, jiggling her foot.
I wrung my hands together, trying to squeeze out the nerves. “Okay. You?”
She nodded. “Okay. Nan and Granddad are meeting us there. They said to say hello and good luck.”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that… and neither did they, clearly. Did you wish someone who was about to face their abuser good luck? I wasn’t sure, but it made me smile to know that I had their support.
I wasn’t sure if Dad’s parents would be there or not. I’d understand if they didn’t come. No one wanted to hear what a monster their own child had turned out to be, but they weren’t responsible. They’d disowned him, but it still must be devastating.
We’d only heard from them a handful of times, and that was still more than we had before I had spoken up.
Ali stood and hugged me, her arms rigid. “My beautiful, brave niece. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Ali,” I rasped.
“Are we ready to go?” Jenna asked, sounding like she wanted to go anywhere else.
Cole held my hand to the car, opened the door for me, and took my hand again when he got in.
The drive was silent, apart from the muted hum of the radio. I was in the car with David, Jenna, and Cole. Mum, Ali, Lizzie, and Jasper were behind.
I watched out of the window, noticing landmarks that lead to the courthouse. Each one heightened my nerves.
David parked the car, and Cole squeezed my hand.
