Page 107 of Anything To Be With You

I nod.

"Did you ever speak with someone about what you went through?"

I twist the end of the blanket around my hand. "I did. Mason was three when I started speaking with a therapist. I was in a dark place that I couldn't get out of, no matter how hard I tried." I rub the faint pink line down my left wrist. "I tried to end my life. Mom found me and I was rushed to the hospital, where I got proper treatment."

"Have you thought about speaking with someone again?"

I shrug. "Sometimes."

Luke pulls out his phone. "I can look into a therapist for you, if you'd like. Or, you can speak with Elle."

"Is Elle a therapist?"

"She is, however, she specializes in helping children and teens deal with trauma due to abuse. She may be able to help you find a therapist with expertise in domestic violence when you're ready."

I bite the side of my thumb. I've only met Elle three times, I don't know how comfortable I would be speaking to her about my private life.

Luke stands from the bed. "Think about it and if you decide to give her a call, let me know."

Music To My Ears

Dani

I check in with Mom, telling her everything that happened. If I understood her correctly, between her sobs and anger, she told me she's taking me to the police station to report what had happened. She is not letting Josh get away with this again. The first time he broke my nose, we went to report it and were brushed off the minute I said Josh Whitlock did it. Found out years later that John had half the force on his payroll.

I climb out of bed and head to the bathroom, I need a shower. I turn on the water and climb in, whimpering as the water hits the raw skin on my body. I wash myself off the best I can and step out, wrapping myself in a towel, applying the ointment to the stitches I can reach and walk out of the bathroom and into the main apartment.

"Archer?" I call.

"Office."

A small smile pulls at my lips. "Of course you're in the office."

I step into the room and he turns to face me. "How you feeling?"

"Better now that I've showered." I hold up the tube of ointment. "Could you help me?"

Luke takes the tube as he stands. "Of course."

I turn, parting the hair that falls over the spot they shaved to stitch up the laceration. I flinch as he lightly applies the cold ointment.

"Thank you."

"Anything for you, Sweetheart." Luke hands back the ointment.

I glance down at my bare feet. "If the offer still stands, I'd like to call Elle."

Luke unlocks his phone and hands it over. "Her number is under Eleanor. I'll be in here to give you some privacy and if the phone locks before you make the call, the password is the office address."

I wrap my fingers around the phone and look up into his eyes. "Thank you, Luke. For everything." I stretch up, grab his shoulder and kiss his cheek.

He graces me with a sweet smile that pops out those dimples I love so much. "You're very welcome, Dani. You can grab a clean shirt from the second drawer of the dresser if you'd like. " He tells me. "Also, feel free to wash your dirty clothes. I didn't pack you anything for your stay."

"Thank you." I return the smile and step out of his office and back into his room. Opening the drawer, I’m shocked at what I find. Band shirts. All of them. Not one solid colour in sight. I grab a well-worn Misfits shirt and put it on. It touches mid-thigh and covers everything else.

I sit in the middle of the bed, crossed legged and place the phone in front of me. I search for Elle's name and hit call and the speaker button.

"Hey, Luke!" Elle's friendly voice comes through the speaker.

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