Page 35 of Little Buried Secrets

He pushed himself to a standing position and backed against the wall of the home, leaning over, panting. “I should call the cops on you. You assaulted me.”

“And you assaulted Bronte. So, yeah, go for it. I’d love to explain to the police how you put your hands on a teenage girl, a girl who isn’t your daughter.”

“I didn’t hurt her. She’s fine.”

He wasn’t getting it.

“You have a temper,” I said. “Is this the first time you’ve put your hands on one of Rae’s daughters, or have you done it before?”

He rolled his eyes. “Stop. I’ve had enough of your questions. I would never do anything to hurt Margot or Bronte. We may not always see eye to eye, and I suppose part of the reason is because I’m not used to being around teenagers.”

He turned away from me, his breathing growing heavier by the moment.

“Even if you haven’t raised kids before, you understand right from wrong,” I said. “It was wrong to grab Bronte the way you did.”

One minute passed, then two, and his breathing steadied.

“I was just trying to talk some sense into Bronte, that’s all,” he said. “She can be a lot to handle. Rae doesn’t need any more stress in her life.”

I stood there, staring at him, wondering how honest he was being with me.

I needed to know more about this guy.

I needed to know everything.

“Rae’s been through a lot tonight,” I said.

“What’s happened?”

“I can’t talk about it yet. If I could, I’d tell you. Ask me tomorrow. Right now, Rae needs some time alone with her daughter.”

“It’s Rae’s decision to make.”

“Perhaps, but I’ve just made it for her. If you care for her as you say you do, give her some alone time tonight with her daughter. Go home and call her in the morning.”

“What about Sebastian? He’s still here.”

“Sebastian will be leaving too,” I said.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of car keys, using the same arm he’d alleged I’d broken. I marveled at his speedy recovery and almost laughed out loud as he looked at me, then his arm, and realized why I was smiling.

“I … ahh, I left my iPad at home and was going to go and get it anyway,” he said. “If I agree not to come back tonight, will you give Rae a message for me?”

“Sure.”

“Tell her I’m sorry, and I’m here if she needs me, no matter what the hour.”

An apology for Rae, but no apology for Bronte.

That, in and of itself, was telling.

CHAPTER 15

I reentered the house, and Rae and Bronte had their arms around each other in a tight embrace. Sebastian was sitting on the floor, his legs crossed, head slumped over—sniffling.

I gave Rae the short version of my conversation with Grant, and then I pulled Bronte to the side, asking her to give me a call if Grant showed up before morning. She agreed, and I walked over to Sebastian, tapping him on the shoulder.

“Come on,” I said. “I’ll walk you out.”

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