Page 38 of Closing the Distance

Ty looks back at me to make sure I’m really okay with this, and then steps out in the hall. “I’ll just be right out here.”

Danae closes the door and then moves to sit on the edge of the bathtub. She looks around the room that’s bigger than my bathroom and walk-in closet combined and offers me a smile. “I still can’t get over the fancy bathrooms these guys have. It’s a far cry from what I grew up with.”

I let out an uncomfortable laugh. “Same here.”

She nibbles her lip for a second. “Feel free to tell me to mind my own business, but I feel like we might be kindred spirits.”

“How so?”

She closes her eyes and takes a deep inhale. When she opens them again, there’s a haunted expression in them I know all too well. “Do you ever feel like sometimes you see a person and just knowthey’ve been through some tough times?”

I nod, but can’t speak over the lump in my throat. I rarely see it in other adults, at least not the adults I’ve been around. But I’ve had a handful of students in the foster care system—or ones that ultimately ended up in the system due to being removed from their homes by CPS—during my time as a teacher and recognized it, whether in how they looked or how they behaved. Behavior was often a better indicator that things had gone bad for them.

She continues. “I’m not saying we’ve been through exactly the same thing because even if you go through the same event, everyone experiences trauma differently. But trauma recognizes trauma.”

“And you have trauma?”

She hesitates, and man, do I understand that hesitation better than any other part of this conversation so far. “I was in an abusive relationship,” she says, and I can’t imagine the amount of therapy she’s probably had to be able to say it as if it doesn’t haunt her every move.

“Foster care,” I whisper, but my shoulders feel lighter as I voice the truth.

She nods, and I appreciate that it’s not sympathy in her eyes, but solidarity. She’s not judging me; she’s recognizing a survivor.And that takes even more of the weight of this night off my shoulders.

“These people are some of the best I’ve ever met. I know you don’t really know me, but I’m hoping you’ll give them all a chance. They aren’t the type of people to judge you for where you came from, but to lift you up as much as they’re able. You’re safe here. You can be as open or as closed as you want, and we’ll accept you. The truth is, you make Ty happy and that speaks volumes. You don’t have to do anything else to prove your worth to us, okay?”

“Okay.” Because what else do I say to that?

She stands up and walks toward the door, but stops before turning the handle, looking back and giving me a sincere smile. “I’m really glad you’re here tonight. See you out there.”

With that, she walks out, and Ty is immediately standing in the doorway, looking at me and then glancing at Danae’s back as she walks away.

“Everything okay?” he asks, the corners of his eyes etched with concern and his jaw tight.

I nod, meaning it this time, and feeling much lighter than I did before she came in here. I may not be ready to spill my whole life story, but for the first time tonight, I’m not terrified about sitting at the table and attempting conversation.

“I’m okay. Let’s go back out.”

“Are you sure? We can leave if you’d be more comfortable.”

The fact he even offers makes my feelings for him grow so much stronger. He’s not shaming me or making me feel bad for how I feel.

I step up to him, slide my hand around his neck, and kiss him softly. His arms instantly wrap around me as he falls into the kiss, moaning in objection when I pull back. He keeps my body pressed to his and his forehead on mine.

“What was that for?” he asks.

“For worrying about me, wanting to take care of me.”

He kisses my forehead, and my heart feels like it grows two sizes from the tender affection. “I’ll always take care of you, Lexi. I’m yours,” he murmurs.

“I’m yours too,” I whisper back. I’m his more than he could ever know, more than I’ve ever belonged to anyone.

“Come on.” He steps back, taking my hand in his. “You’ll tell me if it’s too much? I have no problem leaving whenever you want.”

And that’s why I need to stay. He’s willing to go to the ends of the earth to make me comfortable. The least I can do is try to get to know his friends.

“I’ll tell you, but I’d really like to stay.”

He nods, and together we head back out to the dining room where everyone is still chatting and eating. None of them stare at us as we take our seats, but they do bring us right into the conversation. Dom focuses on Ty. “Dude, remember that one time…”

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