Page 86 of Broken Skulls

He pats me lightly a few times before he settles back in his chair.

The four of us stare at the fire quietly for several minutes deep in thought.

“So, let’s hear about this guy who locked you in his basement,” Anthony says bluntly.

Danielle groans apologetically, making me laugh lightly. “I wasn’t locked in.”

“Do tell,” he says, ignoring his wife.

So I do. I tell them everything, beginning with Kelsie visiting me in the nursing home.

Tank listens quietly, with his big arms folded across his chest.

“Anyway, I don’t know why it took me so long to tell someone …”

“Maybe you finally felt safe,” Danielle suggests.

“It wasn’t that I didn’t feel safe with all of you.” What can I say? I can’t tell them about the baby.

Tank finally speaks up. “You don’t have to explain, Liz. Sometimes we’re just not ready to share parts of ourselves. You were scared. I think we all get that.”

Everyone nods in agreement.

I spend the next few hours listening to Danielle talk about her kids. She looks at her watch. “God, I’m sorry. I’ve talked your ear off.”

“I’ve loved every minute,” I tell her honestly. “A lot has happened in your life since we talked last. I don’t have much to share.”

Her mouth turns down. “I say this sincerely, Lizzie. Don’t waste any more time. Don’t let Mr. Baxter keep his hold on you.”

He’ll always have a hold on me.

“The auction must be over,” Tanks says. “I better go see if they need help loading stuff.” He stands, looking down at me. “Come on, let’s go find JD.”

I sit there staring up at him. Danielle stands and gently pulls me to my feet. “We have to get home, but I’ll be back, and we’ll talk more then.” She hugs me, and her husband does the same.

He whispers in my ear. “You found some good people here. Don’t fuck it up.”

Tank hugs Danielle before shaking Anthony’s hand. “Have a safe trip home.”

As they walk away, he snaps at me to follow him.

“You can’t just snap at me,” I tell him, staying exactly where I’m at, not budging.

He turns around laughing. “There she is.”

I narrow my eyes at him.

“Elizabeth, would you please join me in my search to find your man?”

“He’s not …”

He rolls his eyes. “He is. Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not jealous. I love Kelsie.”

“I know that.”

“Then?”

I glance around to make sure no one is listening. “I don’t know if I’m right for him.”

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