Page 84 of Single Mom's Bodyguards
“Oh, let’s see. Wesley the Wet Blanket. Wesley the Buzzkill. My personal favorite—Wesley, Please Shut Up Before I Throw You in a Lake.”
That earns another laugh. “Who said that one?”
“Huck. Last month. I was giving him safety instructions while he grilled burgers.”
She grins, shaking her head. “I can totally see that.”
“See? Everyone’s a critic.” I spread my hands dramatically. “But despite all that, I’m still here. Still asking. Because I care.”
Her smile falters, her face turning serious again. She looks down at her hands, fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. The silence stretches, heavy but not hostile. Finally, she whispers, “It’s about Eli.”
My chest tightens, but I keep my expression calm. “What about him?”
Her voice cracks. “I think…I think my dad pushed him.”
The words land like stones dropped in water, ripples spreading through me, dark and deep. I clench my jaw, fighting to keep the fury off my face. If I show too much, she’ll clam up. “What makes you think that?”
Her eyes shine again, but she doesn’t look away. “He was being mean about Eli not picking up fast enough. And then Eli fell, but it didn’t look like he just fell. It looked like—like Dad shoved him. And then later, when I asked about it, Dad got this scary look and told me not to bring it up again.”
I exhale slowly, steadying myself. My gut tells me she’s right. Eli’s cast, his nervous glances, the rehearsed story—it all fits. But I can’t let my rage scare her off. “I’m really sorry that happened.”
She nods, hugging her knees tighter. “That’s not all, though.”
“There’s more?”
Maeve hesitates, then blurts it out. “He was weird with me too. When I told him I started my period, he…he acted like I’d done something wrong. Like I was gross. He wouldn’t even look at me.”
My fists curl tight against my knees. I force them to relax before she sees. “You did nothing wrong,” I say firmly. “Nothing. Do you hear me, Maeve? That’s your body doing exactly what it’s supposed to. It’s not dirty. It’s not bad. And it sure as hell isn’t your fault.”
Her eyes widen. “You don’t think it’s…gross?”
“Not even close.” I shake my head, my chest heavy. “It’s just part of life. A part that means you’re healthy. Your dad was wrong to act like that.”
She stares at me, searching my face for any crack, any sign I’m lying. When she doesn’t find one, her shoulders sag in relief.
“Maeve, listen to me. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re smart, and strong, and stubborn in the best way. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”
Her mouth trembles, and for a moment I think she’ll cry again. But instead she nods quickly and wipes her eyes. “Thanks.”
I squeeze her knee once, then sit back. “Anytime, kid.”
Inside, though, I’m shaking with fury.
David didn’t just hurt Eli. He’s trying to break Maeve too.
She’s trying to look braver than she feels, but I see through it. I’ve seen soldiers wear that same mask, the one that saysdon’t ask, don’t press, because if you do, I’ll break.
Maeve’s just a kid. She shouldn’t need that mask.
I want to storm out right now, track David down, and make him answer for every single bruise, every twisted word, every time he looked at his daughter like she was dirty instead of human. Every time he put his hands on Eli. And Bailey.
My blood is pounding hot and heavy in my ears, the urge to destroy burning bright. But I can’t let her see that. Not now. She needs comfort, not rage. So I force myself to breathe, to unclench my jaw, to soften my voice. “You’re not alone, Maeve. You’ve got me, and Huck, and Sean, and your mom. We’ve got you, okay?”
She nods, biting her lip. “I just…I don’t want Eli to feel like it’s his fault.”
“He won’t, because we will make sure of it. We’re his team, right?”
Her eyes flick to mine, and something steadies there. She nods again, firmer this time.
