Page 26 of Finish Line

Nick, Peter, and Hannah stand behind my mom and Cin.

Like the family they are. One that doesn’t need you. Roger’s voice echoes in my head.

“Come on, everyone, let’s leave Shelby alone.” Hannah ushers them out the door.

I want to thank her, but instead, I stand there sobbing as they walk away.

They leave me alone for the rest of the day.

“Good morning, honey.” My door once again bangs open without my consent, startling me. My mom sweeps in unannounced. “I made your favorite, French toast. Why don’t you come out and have some breakfast with us?”

I sigh. “I’m not hungry. Maybe later.”

“Shelby, you need to eat. You’ve lost too much weight.”

I clench my hands into fists. “Later.”

“I would love some of your French toast, Patty,” Hannah calls from the hallway.

I catch Hannah’s eye and mouth, Thank you.

Not on my life did I ever expect Hannah to do anything to help me.

She leads my mom out of my room, Mom’s grumbles growing fainter as Hannah shuts the door, and they walk farther down the hall.

I throw off my bedsheet and climb out of bed. It still hurts to move, my body black and blue, though some of the bruises are starting to yellow.

My door opens, making me jump, and Cin walks in.

I glare at her. “Don’t you know how to knock?”

Cin jerks back. “I never knocked before. Nick’s talking to Cam, and Cam wants to talk to you. Paige has been calling me asking about you, too.”

I shake my head, guilty that Paige hasn’t crossed my mind. And now, Cam wants to talk to me.

I’m not ready. The guilt over everything that happened to him threatens to suck me under. Cam wouldn’t touch me if I asked him not to, and he doesn’t blame me for anything, but I can’t shake off the self-loathing.

Cin continues speaking, like she doesn’t see me shake my head, even though my hair whips back and forth. Even though she’s staring right at me. “Maybe we can watch our favorite movie?—”

“Cin, I said no!” I snap.

“Shit, Shelby, I’m just trying to help you,” she snaps back at me.

I want to cry. “You can help me by leaving me alone.”

Pushing her out of the room, I slam the door. I can’t take this anymore. I’m losing my mind.

I pick up my phone and dial.

“Shelby, how are you doing?” a deep voice asks from the speaker.

“Not good. I need your help.”

At almost three am, I sneak out of the house. Before I leave, I leave a note on the counter and head out to the SUV waiting for me.

Frank turns to me as I slide in. “Are you sure about this?”

I close the door to his SUV and count backward from five, calming myself. “Yes.”

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