Page 50 of Hurricane Love

“You can set it up through the courts. Supervised visitation only. Get Denise involved.”

Denise was Brian’s mom, and while she wasn’t perfect, she didtry to curb the worst of Brian’s bad behavior, and she loved the shit out of Kayla. Hannah nodded like she was piecing it all together, which was encouraging to Wylie.

“I’m sorry,” she said, doing the rapid blinking thing that meant more tears were coming.

“For what? You didn’t do anything wrong here,” Wylie insisted. Whatever garbage Brian had put in her head in making her believe it was her fault, Wylie wanted to shut that shit down.

“I’m sorry for not leaving him sooner. And for letting it get this bad. For dragging you into my mess, again.”

Wylie shook his head, afraid to hope. “You gotta make this one stick, Hannah. It’s not going to get better. It can only get worse. He’s going to try everything he can to get you back, including making promises he won’t keep, and you’ve got to be strong.”

She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know. I won’t make excuses for him anymore. It was really scary, Wy. The way he came at me. His…hisrage.” She wrapped her arms around herself, wincing–either from the pain in her ribs or the memory, Wylie didn’t know.

He opened his arms again and she crawled into them, huddled up against him just as they used to as teens, whenever Wylie was missing his mom or when Hannah would get into a fight with her own mother. When she’d learned she was pregnant, Wylie was the first person she’d told. And when Wylie knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was gay, Hannah was the first person he’d come out to after his mom. They’d always been there for each other. Even with the distance, that fact wouldn’t change.

“Thank you for your help today. For all of this,” she said and glanced around the trailer.

“I just want what’s best for you, babes. I love you, you know?”

“Yeah, I know. I love you too.”

“We’ll get through it,” he said and squeezed her gently, hoping it was true.

She was safe and here with him. For now, that was enough.

CHAPTER 12

DIEGO

Diego had hatedthe look on Wylie’s face when he’d asked him not to put a label on their relationship. Like a kicked puppy. Anangry,kicked puppy. That look replayed over and over again in his mind as he worked the line that afternoon at the pit. Not that he didn’t deserve it. He fully understood that was the consequence of his actions. He only wished he’d been able to explain himself better, in a way that Wylie might understand.

While Diego brooded, he kept an eye out for Hannah’s shithead boyfriend, waiting for him to show his face. It didn’t take long. Brian blew right through the swinging doors that separated the kitchen from the front-of-house like he owned the place, red-faced and wild-eyed.

“Where is she?” the man slurred, clearly wasted, as his eyes roved all over the back as if she might be hiding somewhere.

“None of your business,” Diego said. He slowly laid down the carving knife he’d been using to slice meat, making sure it was out of Brian’s reach.

“Yes, it is my fucking business, she’s the mother of my kid. Where’s Kayla?”

Diego snapped off his gloves, tossing them in the trash as he rounded the stainless steel counter. He didn’t want to come toblows with Brian, but he was prepared to, if needed. “Neither of them are here, and you need to leave before I call the police.”

Brian’s bloodshot eyes locked onto Diego’s as if sensing the threat for the first time. “I heard you were on probation, bro. You sure that’s a good idea to involve the cops?” the man sneered.

“It’s probably a better idea than me beating your ass,” Diego reasoned.

Brian’s shoulders squared and he shifted his stance. Diego could smell the liquor on his breath, and he seriously doubted the man’s reflexes given his present condition. Even still, Diego kept his hands at his side. It’d be best if he could get Brian to just walk away.

“You fucking that cocksucking faggot, then?” Brian asked with a mean squint. “Swallows? Better wrap your shit twice, because I hear he’s a real slut for cock. Kind of like my whore-ass girlfriend.”

“I’m pulling out my phone,” Diego said and did so, then calmly unlocked the screen. “You have about ten seconds to turn around and leave before I call 9-1-1.”

“Tell me where the fuck Hannah and my kid are, and I’ll leave right now.”

“No,” Diego said. Firmly. Brian stared him down, violent intent brewing behind his eyes. The man wanted someone to fight, and it seemed Diego would suffice for now. Diego braced himself for whatever might come next because he’d sworn to himself he wasn’t going to land the first blow.

“What the hell is going on here?” Frank demanded, having blown in from the back and probably pissed to find Diego not busy at his station.

“This is Brian, Hannah’s boyfriend,” Diego said without taking his eyes off the man. The asshole had a reputation at the pit, and everyone but Hannah absolutely hated him.