Page 109 of Chasing Lynda

“This is why I said that they’re dead to me. They didn’t protect me. My mom couldn’t really help me, she was under my dad’s thumb just as much as I was. My dad expected me to be my ex’s wife but I couldn’t go back to him. Fuck, I couldn’t be in the same room as him. So I tried to disappear.”

I explain how I lived in hiding for almost one year, until I met them.

Dodge’s eyes shine with unshed tears. “Lynda, that’s—I have no fucking words. It must’ve been so hard.”

I nod. “It was. It was scary because he was looking for me everywhere, he wanted me back at all costs. He and my dad reported me missing. So I couldn’t stay in the same place for long, I couldn’t get a job. Shelters weren’t an option because I was almost caught once. I was always hungry and lonely. Until I met you guys on the beach.”

He touches his lips to mine and I didn’t realize how much I needed his kiss, until I feel it in every fiber of my being. For the first time in forever, I don’t feel alone.

“Lynda,” he says, looking at me as if I were the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. “What happened to you is awful. I’m so fucking sorry if I made you feel like what you want doesn’t matter. Because it fucking does.”

***

Dodge

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I KEEP HER IN MY ARMS.

I can’t even fucking imagine what she’s been through. If I thought Chrissie was the ex from hell, then I think Lynda’s ex is the devil himself.

I sure hope I never cross paths with him, or I’ll go to jail for murder. I mean, what kind of disgusting creep would ever drug a woman and abuse her.

She looks into my eyes and she must think that my furious and disgusted expression is for her.

“Dodge, I—I never told you because I want to forget that part of my past. I didn’t want you to look at me the way you are right now.”

She lowers her gaze and if I could punch myself in the face for being a fucking idiot, I absolutely would; as usual, I’m screwing this all up. “Hey sexy girl, no. Did you think I was disgusted with you? I never could be anything but attracted to you. I was just thinking of the shit I’d like to do to your ex if I ever laid hands on him. Shit mostly involving a hot iron and the part of his body he should’ve kept to himself when you said no.”

She relaxes a little in my arms, but it’s only marginal. “Lynda, I’m sorry, please believe me. I’ll talk to my parents and we’ll find another way to make sure that Mitch and my ex don’t see a cent of my family’s money. I don’t know what my Pop-Pop was thinking when he decided to put that clause in his will.”

She sighs, suddenly deep in thought. “Dodge, it isn’t that I don’t want to help you, I—”

I let go of her, hitting my forehead with the palm of my hand. “I’m such an idiot! You probably couldn’t even if you wanted to, right? You said you had to run away to get away from him and that your parents didn’t help you. You’re still legally his wife, aren’t you?”

She shakes her head. “I’m not sure.”

She explains about the obituary in the paper and how her family must think that she died in the hotel fire.

“I think that maybe I’m free. But I don’t know if they actually declared me dead. I’ve been too scared to find out, just in case somehow I gave myself away.”

I nod. That makes sense. “Look, I can have Mr. Fletcher look into it very discreetly. He’s bound to client’s confidentiality anyway, so whatever he finds out we’ll be the only ones to hear the news. He doesn’t even have to tell my parents.”

Lynda’s eyes fill with tears. “Dodge,” she whispers. “What have I ever done to deserve all the help you guys have given me from the day we met?”

The way she’s looking at me causes a pang in my chest; it isn’t painful but it’s like a realization.

There was a time when I thought I was in love with Chrissie; of course I wasn’t. At fifteen it’s hard to know what love even is. It isn’t impossible but it’s a big feeling for someone who’s just starting to grow up and live life.

I’m not saying that I’m in love with Lynda but I could definitely see myself falling for her, if she chose me.

“Ok,” I say, placing a kiss on her temple. “Let’s find out what your situation is and while I talk to Basil, I’ll ask him if there’s a way out of Mitch getting the money. At this point I don’t even care about getting it myself as long as he doesn’t.”

There’s a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes and for a second, I fear that I’ve said something wrong again. “Lynda, what’s up?” I ask her, tucking a strand of her silky dark hair behind her ear.

“I—I want to help you, Dodge. It’s just that ...”

My pulse quickens and I handle her real carefully. I seriously hate myself for making her feel like what she wants doesn’t matter and I’ll never make that mistake again; at least, not on purpose. “What?”

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