Page 105 of Play With Me
“Can I make that choice for you?” I ask as his eyes close entirely. “Baby, can I make that choice if we’re in it together?”
“You’ll take care of me, right? No matter what happens?” he murmurs, and I nod, swallowing back tears. He doesn’t see my response, but he’s asleep in seconds, his chest rising and falling softly.
I’m glad he’s sleeping, that he’s found the ability to rest through this. Because I know he says it’s not worth it, but I’ve decided to make that report. I’m going to tell the truth about this fucked-up family, and stick with Colton through all the fallout.
It’s been so long since someone cared about him, but now there is.
Me.
I’m the one who will be there for him. And I dare anyone to stop me.
Chapter Seventeen
The next day, Colton was happy to see my family, my mom especially. They hugged for so long I worried she was crushing him, but then I heard the sniffle and realized he was crying. His face was buried in her neck, and she cooed against him, letting him experience what a mother should be like, what family truly is.
Maya was not very present, clacking away on her computer as she put together what we needed. By the time he was discharged and it was time for us to leave, she assured me we had everything, that it was safe, and we could release it whenever we wanted.
I don’t tell Colton any of this until we’re in the car. I want him contained for some of the bombshells I’m going to drop on him.
My hand reaches out, and he slips his fingers through mine as we speed down the highway.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, and he shrugs, turning to look at me.
“As well as I can. Groggy, but okay.”
“Do you remember the conversation we had before you fell asleep last night?”
“Kinda.”
I swallow, my fingers flexing on the steering wheel. “I told you I’d take care of you, and I have.”
I can feel his eyes on me. “What did you do, Myles?”
Hesitating for a moment, I reply, “I made the police report.”
He inhales sharply. “That was a mistake.”
Anger wells up inside of me. “I don’t think so. I want a record of what happened, and I don’t want you in any kind of trouble.”
“They’ll just bury it.”
“Maya has proof. It’s not buried.”
“No one will believe us.”
“Fuck you, Colton. Fuck you for making this so hard. Just let me help you for once, goddammit!”
He blinks at me, and then his shoulders sag. “You’re right. I…fuck. I need to let you help me. I’m just not used to it. I don’t think anyone will believe me. No one has ever believed me before.”
“They will. This time they will,” I say and squeeze his hand reassuringly. He doesn’t believe me, doesn’t trust that my plan will work. A small part of me wonders if it will, but Maya has reassured me it will. So I have to believe for both of us.
He’s silent for a long time, mulling over it, and I know that I have to tell him the other thing. The one that may impact our futures.
My heart races as my mouth opens. “He has pictures of me. Of us.”
Colton stops breathing.
“Who?”
