Page 72 of Destroying Everleigh

“Just consider it, okay?” she asked, smiling softly at me.

I nodded, not ready to give her an answer just yet. It would only be temporary. Long enough for me to finish out the school year and get my LPN.

Voices sounded from upstairs, followed by the thudding of footsteps. Emma ran down first, her hair in disarray around her head as she squealed with Tate right on her heels.

“Give it back, Emma!” he yelled.

Emma was having too much fun, though. She practically ran right into me, not paying any attention to where she was headed. When she realized who she’d just stumbled into, her features brightened.

“Everleigh!” She dropped whatever she was holding, which looked like some kind of gaming device, and wrapped her arms around my hips in an attempt to hug me.

Warmth spread through my chest as I ran my fingers over the back of her head. Tate wasn’t as affectionate. He scooped the gaming device up off the floor and looked it over for damages before finally acknowledging my presence.

“You’re not taking us home, are you?” he asked skeptically. “I don’t want to go back there.”

A sharp pain slashed through my chest, followed by guilt. I never even thought to ask him about what he wanted. Ever since Mom died, I’ve been completely distant when they probably needed me the most.

“Tate…” I trailed off.

“No, Everleigh. I can’t go back there. Back to where me and Emma had to share a room. Back to watching Mom get sicker and sicker every single day in that house. Back to watching you work your butt off to make money and never being paid enough. Back to watching Briley start starving herself. I can’t do it. Please don’t make me.” Desperation was written all over his face and it made me feel even shittier. I’d done my best to shield them from everything, but I could only do so much.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “I’m not taking you back right now.”

His shoulders dropped with relief and he nodded firmly.

“Do you want to see our rooms?” Emma asked, looking up at me with excitement.

Grandma chimed in. “It’s not much,” she admitted. “I wasn’t sure how long they were staying, so I only got the basic necessities.”

“Sure.” I forced a small smile for their sake, even though I was crumbling on the inside.

Emma pulled away, threading her fingers with mine. I allowed them to lead me up the stairs and into a rather large room. I could tell immediately that this one was Tate’s. His bed was made up nicely with a set of dark blue sheets, comforter, and matching pillowcases. Against the left wall was a blue clothing hamper with a few outfits already resting at the bottom. The room was pretty plain, but I didn’t expect anything more. It was perfect for him. And if he got to stay here, Grandma would fix it up even more.

We made our way to Emma’s room next. Her bed was smaller and had a thick pink blanket tucked around the mattress. Her pillows also matched. The room was a spitting image of Tate’s, but pink.

“Wow.” I breathed. “You guys must like having your own rooms, huh?” I turned to look at them and they were both nodding.

My eyes fluttered closed as I tried to summon the strength to calm my aching chest. I’ve taken care of them for the last two years. I’ve tried my damn hardest to do right by them andalwaysput them first. But it was never enough. And if they stayed with me, they’d continue to suffer. I still didn’t know how I was going to pay rent. They deserved so much better than I could give them.

“Why don’t you guys go play while I talk to Grandma for a bit,” I suggested, trying my best to keep my tone neutral.

Tate eyed me suspiciously but grabbed onto Emma’s arm and pulled her down the stairs. I waited until I heard the back door open before turning to my grandma.

“I’ll let them stay for a year. But I’m keeping guardianship, and I get to see them whenever I want to.”

Grandma nodded. “Of course, dear. My goal here isn’t to take them from you. I just want to help.”

“Thank you. I’ll bring some of their stuff by in a few days.” My voice sounded robotic, even to my own ears.

We made our way back down the stairs and I glanced out the sliding glass door that sat in the kitchen, giving us the perfect view. Tate and Emma were running around, kicking a soccer ball back and forth, and they were laughing.

Reallylaughing.

Grandma put a hand on my shoulder, causing me to rip my gaze from my youngest siblings and direct my attention at her. “They’ll be okay here, Everleigh. You can come see them every single day if that’s what you want.” She laughed, but I could tell she meant that.

I turned so that I was facing her, and I pulled her into a hug. “Thank you.” She hugged me back, and for once…I felt content. Despite the burning in my chest from having to part with Emma and Tate, I was content knowing that there was still someone in my corner, someone who genuinely wanted to help me. And I would hold onto that to get me through the rest of this bullshit, even if I couldn’t tell her about it.

After work, I showered and started getting ready for bed. I slipped on one of the skimpy nightgowns Amber had gotten for me. This one was see-through and laced, rather than the silky ones I’d been wearing. But it was surprisingly just as comfortable. Briley still wasn’t home, so she was probably staying at her newboyfriend’shouse tonight. That thought was a bitter one. Would he do the same things to her he used to do to me? Would he make her feel just as special and loved?

---