Page 45 of Coming Unraveled
“I only want you to tell me what you would like to tell me, even if that means nothing at all. I’ll never feel differently about you, sweetheart.”
A sarcastic puff of air expels between her parted lips just as she says, “You will.”
“Your brother thought it may be a good idea to issue a statement of your own, about your side of the story. And if your past is what I think it is, you may be able to help others in that situation.”
“Sounds like Ryker. Too bad I was too dumb and naïve to help myself when I was a teenager.”
Brooks moves from in front of the bookshelves and crosses to kneel before Everleigh, taking the hand resting on her knee and placing it between his two larger ones.
“I think giving a statement will be beneficial. And you can wait to tell us all at one time if you want. I can even have Charleston send someone today to get a press release issued.”
She nods but says nothing more, her practically lifeless body curling into itself as her gaze stays locked on the view beyond her window.
“I don’t want to put you through anything more, Brooks. I’m sorry that you’re getting dragged through the mud with my bad choices. I’m going to leave tonight to go away for a while as this all blows over.”
“I’ll come with you,” he interjects with desperation clawing through him.
But she ignores him and carries on, “When I get back I don’t want to see you anymore. I think we can take this as a sign that we aren’t meant to be together.”
A sharp knife twists through his heart at the thought of her not being in his life. Brooks knows she is only lashing out due to the article, but it doesn’t hurt any less. He can feel her love for him in every touch, in every kiss. Stupid lies made by an imbecile won’t erase that love. It can’t. What they have is strong, impenetrable; she just needs to accept it.
“You don’t mean that, Everleigh.”
Surprising him, her eyes flick over to his, determination flaring in the golden swirls of her irises.
“I meant every word.”
Brooks bobs his head once and steps back.
“I’ll call your family and Charleston to set up the interview. I’m sure they all want to see you.”
The venom shoots from his throat too easily, far too easily and it terrifies him. He doesn’t’ want to be angry at her for pushing him away, he understands how her life feels out of control at the moment, but his broken heart steers his emotions instead of his head.
Brooks closes his mouth quickly and stomps towards the stairwell leading him to the entrance of the house, but not before he turns his head to see her once more. To see the beautiful woman crying silently in the corner in an oversized armchair, the only bit of comfort she’ll allow herself. He hesitates at the top of the stairs and listens to his pounding heart for a moment, hearing it’s cry of attention.
His feet move before he realizes what he’s doing and he comes to stand beside her once more. As much as her words eagerly push him away her eyes trail up to him with only a sliver of hope peeking through the darkness.
Leaning down he places a gentle kiss on the top of her head, his hands cradling her face.
“I’ll be back, sweetheart.”
An hour later, Brooks arrives back at Everleigh’s house with her family in tow, her parents clinging to each other in worry for their daughter as they all crowd into the living room. Behind her family, a young man stands with a voice recorder and pen and pad in hand on a directive from Charleston. He is the top reporter from Asheville and will be sending Charleston the article tonight with her intention of spreading it to all major networks. She feels terrible for Everleigh and promises him that she will right this wrong.
Everyone piles into the living room, every open space taken up by siblings, significant others, and babies. The group is standing as a cohesive face for the daughter that gives more than she ever asks for in return.
“Let me go see if I can find her. Please help yourself to any drinks or food. I’ll make sure to restock later,” Brooks commands, but the people in the room look at him blankly, their eyes barely blinking.
Quickly taking the steps two at a time, Brooks makes his way back up to the library to find Everleigh still coiled in the chair, her body in the same position he left her in. She turns her gaze towards him as he steps into the room and he holds back his gasp at her puffy red eyes, the dried tears crusted on her cheeks, and the glistening under her nose. To most, she may look alarming, dreadful even, but to Brooks, she still looks like the beautiful woman he fell in love with. And he swears to himself that he will make this better for her. He will avenge his sweet wife that has only ever wanted to feel loved.
They don’t speak, their eyes giving enough away without the need for words. He leans over her body, tucking his arms around her back and under her legs, and then he stands swiftly. At first, he expects that she’ll swing her legs down to walk on her own, hoping that the feisty woman she had once been will come barreling through. Instead, she rests her head against his chest and closes her eyes, looking so much more like a lost child at that moment than the resilient twenty-six-year-old that she is.
Brooks carries her down the steps slowly, trying his best not to jostle her too much, and stops just outside the living room.
“Are you sure you want to do this? I can take you back upstairs and ask them all to leave.”
The only response he receives is a slow nod of her head. He hasn’t been worried until this moment; he now fears that he may not be able to handle what she is going to tell them all. But he knows he needs to be strong for her. Because whatever she is going to say, he needs to make sure she understands that no matter what, he loves her.
Carrying her into the room everyone’s eyes widen at the sight of Everleigh tucked into his arms. Her father quickly moves from his position on the couch, opening up a spot for Brooks to sit with Everleigh in his lap. He had no plans to let her sit by herself. If she is going to confess her deepest secrets then she is going to do it while in his arms. If not for herself, for him, because he isn’t sure he’s ready to hear what lies resting deep in her soul.
