Page 100 of Guarding Bristol

Everleigh searched her eyes.“You want to talk about it?”

Her voice was so gentle, her expression so understanding, Bristol couldn’t say no.“Yeah.”She needed to rehash everything, get it off her chest.The waiting was killing her.

By the time she was done pouring out everything, the wine bottle was empty, she was tipsy, and crying in little jags that made her hiccup.Everleigh rubbed her back, offering silent sympathy and support.

Cassie was texting someone.

“Are you asking again?”Bristol asked.

“Yes.But you’re done for the night.Everleigh, please take her upstairs and put her to bed.”

Bristol frowned.“But what if someone calls—”

“If I hear anything about him, I’ll come tell you right away.Pinkie promise.”She looked at Everleigh.“Can you...”

“Sure.”Everleigh wrapped an arm around her.“Come on.Let’s get you upstairs.”

“Not tired,” she said, feeling like she was dying inside.This was torture, but that little flame of hope inside her refused to die.

“What about a nice warm bath?”

She stood and moved with her to the foot of the staircase, thinking about it.“I just had a shower.”

“A soak in a warm bubble bath might help you sleep after.”

She doubted it, but Cassie was on top of it, and Everleigh was so sweet for trying to help.“Okay.”

Everleigh drew a bath for her in the en suite.“I’ll leave you to it.Can I do anything else before I go?”

Bristol shook her head.

“You know where I am if you need me.”

“I know.Thank you.”

“Of course.”Everleigh hugged her again.“Hang in there,” she whispered.

Alone in the bathroom, Bristol took off her robe and slid into the hot water.She had no choice but to hang in there.Everything else had been stripped from her control.

She heard the front door shut as Everleigh left.Bristol leaned her head back against the rim of the tub and closed her eyes, trying to empty her mind.

The front door opened a few minutes later.She thought she heard voices outside.Faint.

She sat up, listening.“Cass?Is someone here?”Had her dad shown up after all?

What if it was someone here about TJ?

Heart pounding, she yanked the plug from the drain and stood up so fast the water sloshed onto the floor.Yanking her discarded robe over her wet skin, she rushed out of the bathroom, heading for the stairs.

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