Page 155 of Changing Rules

“We just saw Meg and Marco on their way to his car.” Apparently, Tom is here too.

“God,” Xander groans. “Theycalled me, asked where I was. I swear, I?—”

“Where is she?” Ben barks, making me wince.

An instant later, the door bursts open, and Ben and Tom stride inside. They both freeze and narrow their eyes at where Stacey and I are still holding hands. Tom is the first to come back to his senses. He darts to the other side of my bed, his eyes brimming with tears as he assesses me.

“My poor baby girl,” he murmurs, gently cupping my cheek.

Stacey releases me and quietly takes a step back. Ben takes her place, hovering over me, his chest heaving and his face red, like he’s barely holding himself together.

“How are you?” he rasps.

“I’ve been better.” I flash him a tiny smile. “But I’m okay. I promise.”

“Mom is beside herself. She’s on her way. Better prepare yourself. She won’t leave you alone.” Ben covers my hand and gives me a weak smile. “You scared the shit out of me, Bella.”

“I know,” I whisper, my voice hoarse.

With a kiss to my cheek, he murmurs, “I love you, my favorite cousin.”

November

Everyone is watchingme like they’re waiting for me to break down.

The first thing I did when Xander brought me home was an emergency virtual session with Dr. Khan. She, at least, wasn’t surprised by how calm I was. She expected it, said it’s typical of victims of abuse.

Before Xander, abuse was my norm. It began with my mother’s neglect, her insults and her threats. Kevin added a physical aspect—strangling, beating, sexually assaulting me until I stopped resisting. I had never understood what a healthy, happy environment looked like. I didn’t know love wasn’t supposed to be accompanied by hurt and humiliation, that it wasn’t the same as sex.

And that’s why what Jake put me through was no surprise. He was one more person in a line of many who tried to convince me—by force, if necessary—that control was the same thing as love.

Only when I met Xander did I realize I didn’t deserve the things they’d put me through. When I finally acknowledged it, I was able to talk about my childhood without shame or guilt.

Xander is my savior, my light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. His presence guides me to a new, freer way of life.

The front door opens, bringing me back to reality, and Xander steps in, smiling at me. “How was your day?”

“It was fine.” I scratch Milo’s head. “Congratulations on your win.”

He shuffles across the room and sits next to me on the couch we had delivered yesterday, eyeing the dark television. “You’re supposed to be avoiding screens.”

“I was listening.”

He snakes his hands around me and gently pulls me to his chest.

“I needed something to occupy my mind, and listening to the game served that purpose well.”

“I wasn’t sure you’d be up for it.” He nuzzles my neck. “And I hated that you were alone today.”

“It’s okay. You heard what Dr. Khan said.”

“I did, and it worries me. I’ll never fully understand what you went through, how abuse became your norm. It’s been five days, and I’m still shaken up. I still wake up at night to make sure you’re in bed with me, and I’m worried sick when I have to be away from you for a few hours, while you take it all in stride.”

“It’s more productive to focus my attention on something else.”

“On the trial,” he comments. “Leaving here is rough, and going to the stadium is nerve-racking. The media are like vultures—with everyone, not just me.Why didn’t anyone notice Jake’s behavior?Why didn’t anyone realize he was stalking Alexander and Isabella?After the game today, Coach had the team rep do postgame, told the rest of us not to talk to the press.”

“Why?” Unease sloshes in my stomach. Based on how aggravated Xander is, I expect the worst.

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