Page 4 of Everything After
I hated how sad she looked when she found out Mason and I aren’t friends anymore. I figured she wasn’t talking to me because of Mason, but I am thinking Mason hasn’t seen or heard from her in a while either. It’s been seven years since the fallout, and at least four since I last spoke to her. Every time I tried, she was short with me. I feel bad now because it was never about me.
The truth is, her brother fucked me over. Our family didn’t survive the fallout, and now everything is broken. I hate that this is the reality she is stepping back into, but I’ll still be here. She will still be in my home and in my bed. She will never get hurt by that bastard again, and I’ll make damn sure of it.
Sleep doesn’t come easily. In fact, it hardly comes at all. I keep looking down at Sierra, thankful she’s here. I’m angry that she's hurt. I’m dreading the call I need to make to her brother. All he’s going to see is his half-naked sister lying in my bed, and flip shit. I will still call, though, not for him, but for her. She is his favorite person, and that will never change.
Eventually, I do fall asleep. I wake hours later to the whimpers and cries of Sierra in her sleep. She is crying, clinging to me as her body trembles. She's having a nightmare. “Please don’t. I’m sorry,” she cries.
I wrap her in a hug and kiss her head. “You’re safe. I’ve got you,” I say softly. Her body relaxes, so I keep talking. “It’s Beckett. I’ve got you. You’re safe now, Sia.”
After a while, she settles again. Now, she has one leg slung over mine and her hand low on my belly. She’s so damn close to touching my cock that I have to grab her wrist to pull her hand up gently. Not that I don't want her touching me, but because this is not the time for that. She’s been traumatized by that bastard, and I won’t be the reason she hurts. I have wanted her for years. I can wait a little longer.
It's bad enough that, depending on who you ask, I fucked his girlfriend... or he fucked mine. Hell, I don't even know which version of the story either of us believes anymore. He will always be like a brother to me. Doesn't mean we can stand in the same room without trying to kill each other.
Still, I carefully reach over and grab my phone to text Mason.
Me:
Meet me at the shop in an hour
Mason:
Why the fuck would I do that, Bex?
Me:
Sierra is here.
Mason:
What?
Me:
She got out.
Mason:
What? Is she okay?
Me:
No.
Mason:
I’m coming to your house
Me:
No. When she wakes, I will ask her if she wants to go. I’m not forcing her to see anyone. She’s been through enough.
Mason:
…
Fine…
Me:
