Page 81 of The Catalyst

That’s what I get for believing that bullshit.

CHAPTER 33

BETH

“Ineed to leave Grove Hill,” I explain as we sit on the bed in what has to be a spare bedroom. His eyes narrow in confusion.

“Why? Did something happen?”

I nod. “Yeah, a lot of something.” I roll my eyes. “Nigel knows about what happened between us,” I admit.

Still, the confusion doesn’t lift from his face. “Okay, but that doesn’t explain why you need to leave.” He places his hand over mine, squeezing my fingers with barely any pressure. “You can tell me. You know I’m good at keeping secrets.”

Yeah, I’ve seen that.

Trying to get the words out is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.

“Nigel isn’t as good of a guy as you think he is.”

His eyes widen and his fingers tighten.

“What did he do?”

I take a deep breath before I speak, “After that first fight I was at, Nigel was pissed. I tried to leave before he got back to the house. He was making me stay at his house, pretty much controlling every aspect of my life. He caught me trying to leave and dragged me back in the house. He forced me into his room and then…” I trail off before harnessing every ounce of courage in my body. After a minute, I say the words I’ve avoided, ignored, and pushed down as far as I could. “He raped me.”

Saying the words give them power, power over my truth, power over myself.

“They let him get away with doing that to you?” Martin’s voice is affected as he moves closer and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest. I bury my face against his shirt as my heart races.

“They don’t know and I don’t want them to. If they find out…” I can’t even say it. I’m one of the few people who know what they do to the people who break the rules. They keep it a secret for good reason. “I don’t want anyone to know.” There’s a shame associated with what Nigel did, like maybe it really was my fault. “You’re the first person I’ve told.”

Since my conversation with Oliver in the kitchen, I knew Martin was a kindred spirit, someone who hid their pain from the world. Now, it’s more than that. We’ve bonded in the short time that I’ve been here. It’s small, but it’s there.

“Thank you,” he whispers in my ear, his voice full of tension.

“For what?” I ask as I look up at him. His eyes are truly beautiful, like looking at the Carribean waves crashing against the shore.

“For trusting me with that. I’m honored to be the first person you told. I can’t promise that I won’t hurt him the next time I see him though.”

A laugh falls from my lips as I slowly pull away.

He smirks. “Feel better?”

I shrug. “A little.” It’s the truth. Sometimes laughter is truly the best medicine.

“Good.” Then, he frowns. “Where are you planning to go?”

“Probably back to Hempstead. My mom didn’t sell the house just in case moving to Grove Hill was a bad move. I bet that would be the last place Nigel would look for me.”

Nigel knew I had nothing left for me in Hempstead. His first assumption would probably be that I’d run to Washington where Teigan and Delaney are. Hempstead is just a pit stop until everything cools down. Once I’m sure he won’t be looking for me anymore, I’ll go there. Right now, I just need a place with a roof over my head to hide.

I definitely wouldn’t ask Martin to hide me here.

“Can you give me a ride?” I ask, uneasy about asking anyone for help. I’m so used to doing everything myself. I wouldn’t ask if I had another option.

“Sure. Let’s go.”

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