Page 104 of Dean

“Okay, well, I think it’s that I got drunk one night and told Nick that I used to steal…things.”

Dean’s eyebrows rise, but he says nothing, so I continue.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds. I had to, you know? My parents were shit and my sister needed me to pay for things, so I did what I had to do. It started small. Just petty theft, snacks from convenience stores, taking extra food from my friends’ houses. And when I got a little older, like seventeen, it got slightly more out of control—clothes from the department store and a bit of cash kids’ parents would leave around the house. It was for her, for Amanda, and sometimes for me. I know it was wrong though. And I’ve stopped. I don’t do that anymore. I promise.”

“So you were a thief?”

I wince. “I mean, technically, yes, but for good reason. I swear. It was always about helping my sister. I mean, my parents didn’t buy her shit. And I had a job, but that all went to having a car and a phone so I could work and go to school. And I never made enough. But I was just being a dumb kid. I know that now.”

Dean runs a hand across his face and then sighs. “Yeah, I guess I get why you did it.” His eyes flash to mine and regret seeps through them. Oh fuck, I know what he’s going to ask. “But hey, no judgment…did you take the money from Nick? Is he telling the truth?”

My heart hammers in my chest and I feel my face pale. He doesn’t believe me. He thinks I did it. After everything, he thinks I did it.

“I didn’t,” I whisper, feeling my eyes start to well up. “I didn’t take it.”

“But you knew it was there.”

“I did. He bragged about it, but I didn’t want his money, nor did I need it. I know I joke about not making enough with you, but I do. I promise, I do.”

Dean looks unsure and this, right here, is what almost makes me break down. I know I haven’t been an angel. I know I’ve made choices in life that will come back to bite me in the ass, but at the same time, the fact his faith in me has wavered is making me physically ill. What if he thinks that I’ve been stealing from the company, too? What if he fires me?

I swipe at my eyes and sniffle. “It makes me sad you don’t believe me. Fuck, this is so embarrassing…I’m gonna…” I pull away from him entirely and make my way toward my room.

Dean follows, his footsteps resonating behind me.

“Avery…”

I peer over at him and he looks upset.

“You’re crying.”

“I’m not. I am just…leaking a little.”

But he knows better because my cheeks are wet as I grab my keys from my bed side table and head toward the front door. As I go, Dean follows, his hands reaching out for me, but I need some space.

I need a minute. I need to give him a minute.

So, I step out the door and into the cool evening air, shivering slightly.

“You don’t need to leave. We could talk about it some more,” he murmurs, but it’s too late. My mind is made up.

“I know. I just need some space. Let me go.”

“Will you come back?” he asks, looking slightly broken.

I nod and lean forward, brushing a kiss against his cheek. “Yeah, I’ll be back. I just need a minute to think and I can’t do that when you’re right here.”

My fingers fumble with my car keys, peering over my shoulder to see that Dean is standing out on the porch, watching me go. What if when I’m gone, he goes through everything I’ve ever touched to make sure things aren’t missing, that I haven’t taken something from him as well?

Don’t think that. He’s given you no indication he’d do that.

I swipe at my eyes. Fuck. I messed up. I shouldn’t have ever told him what I used to do. I should have lied.

This is all so messed up. And when I can still feel him inside of me too. It almost makes all of it more painful.

I slip into the car and turn the ignition on, then pull my phone out and scroll, wondering who I can call. My eyes land on Beau’s name and I tap on it. I know I could have messaged Kit, but I just spent all day with him and would rather have an unbiased opinion on my current situation. Kit seems unwavering in his support of me. He’d probably offer to murder Dean and that’s not what I want.

I just want good advice and that one night, Beau had some great advice for me. Maybe he has something for me now.

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