Page 68 of Britain

A moment later Britain comes back with the biggest tub of popcorn and the largest pops. She must see my wide-eyed expression. “I’m hungry.”

She settles in next to me and grabs a box of Skittles out of her pocket. I can only shake my head.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Britain

My knee bounces up and down as we pull into the driveway of my parents’ house. I see that Marcus and Keith are both here as well. I’m ready to let them all have it if I have to. For two days I’ve avoided calls and texts from my dad and Marcus. It’s the longest I’ve gone without talking to them.

I couldn’t stay mad at Keith because honestly he didn’t react badly, or as badly as Dad and Marcus did. Silas puts his hand on my thigh. “Baby, calm down. I thought playing this morning relaxed you.”

Silas could tell that I was struggling this morning and anxious, so he strapped me to the cross and spanked me with the paddle until I was coming and coming hard. It helped and I did feel super relaxed, but now…not so much.

I know it’s because I’m prepared for the worst. “Sorry, I just don’t know what we’re walking into.”

He laces his fingers through mine, bringing my hand up to his mouth and kissing the back of it. “Don’t apologize. Whatever happens, we’ve got each other, okay?”

I turn to face him. “I love you so much. Thank you for not giving up on me. I know you didn’t sign up for all of this drama.”

“You and me, we’re a team. This drama is my fault, not yours. We’ll get through this and any other obstacle that gets in our way.”

Silas hops out and comes around to my side and opens the door for me. He grabs my hand, lacing my fingers with his, and we make our way to the front door. Mom greets us with a smile.

“Hey, Mom.” I hug her tight and kiss her cheek.

“Hi, my beautiful girl. Everyone’s in the family room.” She hugs Silas and kisses his cheek as well.

The three of us head through the home I was raised in, and the moment we step into the family room, Dad is on me immediately, pulling me into his arms. “I’m so sorry, baby girl. I don’t understand what you’re in to. I honestly don’t want to think about it, but we jumped the gun and I’m sorry.”

The damn waterworks begin again and I cry against my dad’s chest as he hugs me tight. “No tears, Britain. Can you forgive me for being an asshole?”

I nod, because how can I not forgive him? They may have acted before thinking, but they did have the best intentions. “You better apologize to Silas for slamming him into the Porsche.”

“Silas and I had a good talk yesterday.”

I jerk back and look up at Dad and then at Silas. “Is that where you went yesterday?” He had gone out to “run errands” and was gone for a while.

He nods. “Yeah, baby. I didn’t want to tell you until it was done. Marcus and I talked too.”

“So you guys all had your little Hallmark moments behind my back.” I cross my arms and know I’m acting like a baby. “Ugh…I’m sorry.”

I turn to Marcus as I ask, “Can we go outside and talk?” He looks relieved when he gets up off of the couch.

We walk quietly out to the deck and sit down on the top steps. Neither of us speaks as we both stare out into the backyard.

“Your real mom didn’t like Keith and I around much when she and dad got married.” I turn to look at him, but he keeps staring out across the yard. “When you were born, we both fell in love with you immediately. Dad wanted us there a lot so we could bond with you. As you got older, you followed us everywhere. Over the years, they started fighting all of the time and Keith and I would take you outside when they got too loud.”

He reaches out, grabbing my hand. “I remember after it happened to you. Dad showed up at our apartment with you, and you were clinging to him like a spider monkey. You’d only go to Keith, so he handed you to him and then he and Mom disappeared down the hall to her bedroom. We got you a snack and however long later, Mom and Dad came out and she told us to pack our bags and that we were going to Dad’s house.”

“The first couple of months I would sit outside your room, listening to you cry, and Mom would sing to you until you’d fall asleep. I didn’t know until much later what actually happened to you. I just knew that whatever it was, it was bad.”

Marcus turns to look at me. “I’m so fucking sorry. That bitch was so convincing, and then she showed us that video, and all I saw was the scared little girl who clung to everyone. I know Silas wouldn’t hurt you, and I’m sorry I hit him. I’m sorry that I told everyone, unintentionally, what happened to you.”

I scoot close to Marcus and rest my head on his shoulder. He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I forgive you. I know you didn’t do it to hurt me. Are things okay with you and Heather?”

He laughs softly. “My girl has a temper on her—she let me have it after hurting Silas. After Silas and I talked, though, she quit ignoring me.”

“Good—someone who will keep you on your toes. I love her for you.”

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