Page 35 of Breakaway

Exhaling, she nods. “There’s a cigarette burn that my stepfather did to him when he was nine or ten, behind his ear lobe on the left side. H-he also has a perpendicular tattoo on his groin that goes up toward his belly button of the words, Big Boner.”

“Cat?”

She curls into my chest and whispers, “He showed me on my fourteenth birthday.”

I’m glad he’s dead, or I’d have to kill him myself. I understand the rage fathers feel when their little girls are abused by strangers. How they could want their own justice.

Looking over her head as I hold her in my arms, I quietly ask, “Dad can you call Barb. See if she can meet us at my place?”

He nods.

“Honey, we’re taking you home.” With my arm wrapped around her I get her into the back seat and Dad drives.

Halfway home, still not looking at me, she asks, “Who’s Barb?”

“A friend of my family. She plays bridge with my mom once a week. She’s a retired trauma therapist. You’ll like her.”

“I don’t have any money.”

“Family doesn’t need money. We just need you to be well.

Barb is waiting when we get to my apartment, and we ride up the elevator together. After she and Cat are settled in the living room she shoos me and dad out, saying she’ll text when she needs us.

“Let’s go down to the gym. They’ll be fine and you need to work off some steam.”

An hour and a half later Barb texts and we go back. She meets us at the door. “Cat’s sleeping. Let her. Stay close in case she needs you. She’s strong, Turk, let her lean when she needs to, but mainly just be there for her.

“She told me she’s got a game in three days. She’s worried about letting the team down. I’m sure you can help her with that, too. A little ice time might be therapeutic. I’ll be back in four days, sooner if you need me.”

After she leaves, I turn to my father. “Dad, I…”

“Go watch over her. I’ve got everything else, son.”

I just need to be close to her if she needs me. I start out sitting beside her on the chair. Then lying next to her without touching. Before long it’s as if her body knows I’m there and will keep her safe, she curls into me.

That primal trust brings a knot to my chest. I swear, I’ll always be there for her.

CHAPTER 18

Caitlyn (Cat)

My eyes pop open and I stare into the darkness. Where am I?

I know where I’m not. I’m not in the apartment above Nonno’s Diner. The bed is too soft, the pillow too fluffy, the heat at my back too warm. I inhale a shaky breath, and a comforting scent engulfs me.

Turk.

Vague memories of him holding me while I cried. Soothing me in warm baths, feeding me when I didn’t want to eat. Cuddling me when the memories became too much. More talking and crying with a woman I don’t know. And hours and hours cuddled in Turks reassuring embrace, just listening to the solid thumping of his heartbeat. His hand is clasped in mine.

“Turk’s bed,” I whisper just to see if my voice works, and this is real and not a dream.

“Our bed, sweetheart.”

“So, I am really here.”

“Yes.”

“And it’s really over. Slack is… is gone.”

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