Page 17 of The Moment Promised

He steps into the water beside me, “Sometimes you can’t help it. Accidents happen.”

I wish Jason would see it that way.

I squeeze my fists. The truth sticks to my tongue. I’m not supposed to tell anyone what happens in our house. My mom told me it would be very bad if anyone found out. Carrying this secret with me everywhere I go has gotten so heavy, I fear it will crush me whole. Before I can help it, the words are falling from my mouth. “The last time I got hurt he blamed it on my mom. He was so mad he slammed her face against the wall.”

Finn chokes on his own breath. His eyes widen as he realizes I was serious. “He hits her?”

I should say no. I should laugh and pretend I was making a sick twisted joke. “Yeah.” I look down, my blood colors the water surrounding it.

“Why is she still with him?”

I’ve wondered this too lately. They are opposites in every possible way. He’s like a storm crowding her sunshine.

No.

A hurricane.

“I don’t know. I sometimes wish my mom would break up with him,” I admit, feeling guilty for wishing such a terrible thing.

“Like…divorce?” he asks.

I nod. They aren’t happy like Finn’s parents. Jason doesn’t look at my mom and smile like Burt does when he sees Jill. Instead, he tells her everything she is doing wrong, even if it’s right. I mean, I’m pretty sure hehatesher.

He faces me fully, there’s a tremble in his voice when he asks, “Adeline, does he—” He winces, and swallows like he’s stalling. Like he’s afraid to even ask. “D-does he hit you?”

I answer too fast, like I’m supposed to be standing up for my dad instead of telling his secrets. “No.” It’s the truth. He’d neverlaid a hand on me… Not even for a hug. But his words throw punches at my chest until my heart bleeds, and I can’t breathe.

“Do you like your mom better than your dad?”

“Yes.” I don’t have to think twice about my answer.

Finn’s eyes flash with sorrow. I feel regret in the pit of my stomach, but it’s the truth.

“What about you? Do you like your mom or dad better?” I ask.

“I can’t decide. I love them both.” He kicks a piece of washed-up coral.

Something sharp stabs my stomach. Jealousy. I want that life. The one where deciding which parent gained more of your love seems impossible.

“Please don’t tell anyone,” I whisper.

Finn looks like he’s grinding his teeth, like he wishes I never asked this of him. “But, Adeline?—”

“Finn, I’ll have to move away,” I plead. My skin burns and my hands tremble and a bead of sweat drips down my back. I shouldn’t have told him. I’ve heard stories of what happens to families when someone tells. The kids get taken away and only once in a blue moon do they go somewhere kind. Somewhere safe. Somewhere loving.No.

No.

“You can’t say anything. Please, Finn. Not to your mom and dad. Not to anyone. They will take me away. They could put me with a family thatdoeshit me.Please, Finn.” I don’t even realize I’m crying until a soft fingertip brushes over the wetness coating my cheek.

And I watch it happen. Right through his eyes I see a crack forming in his soul under the weight of the truth. Truth too heavy for anyone to carry. And yet I so easily placed a million tons onto his back and ask him to never set it down.

I hate myself.

“Okay,” he says, then he does the craziest thing.

My skin raises in goosebumps as he splashes me.

I laugh, and forget about Jason, divorce, and the rest of my life. When I’m with Finn, none of it exists.

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