Page 150 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

“Yes, but I was in school when he did. I never saw him again. He found out we were staying at my mom’s friend’s house, and he broke in. Stole what he could. My mom’s friend kicked us out after that.

“After everything my dad had done, my mom stayed faithful to him. She withered away, pining for him. I never understood her.” I took a deep breath. “Until I met you.”

I faced Caleb. His eyes were intense, full of questions. “I never understood how loving someone can consume everything until I met you. You’ve shown me that, Caleb.

“But what I never understood was how she could still take him back after everything he’d done to her, to me, and I want you to know that I would never stay with someone like my dad.”

“I’m not like

him.”

“I know.” I smiled at him, touched his face. “God, I know. I’ve never met anyone like you, Caleb. Never.”

He lowered his head so his cheek rested against mine. I closed my eyes and felt the warmth of his skin, smelled the soap he had used this morning to shower. And the unmistakably wonderful scent that belonged only to Caleb.

“I love you, Caleb.”

“I love you more, my Red. I promise no one will hurt you ever again. And remember that you kicked the asses of those who tried to.” He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, caressed the side of my cheek. When I opened my eyes, he was smiling at me. “My strong, brave girl. You can face anything, and this time, I’m with you. I’m always with you, baby.”

I let out a deep breath, holding his hand as I faced the house again. “This was the house where I lived with them, Caleb. With my mom. And dad.”

He fell silent. I wanted to look at him, but I felt embarrassed. Ashamed.

“It’s ugly as sin,” he said after a moment.

A surprising laugh bubbled out of my throat.

“You know what I think about this place?” he asked.

“Why don’t you be honest and tell me how you really feel?”

He grinned at me, placing his hands in his front pockets as he started to walk away, whistling.

When he kept going, I frowned at his back. Was he going to just walk away? I guessed he’d shown me what he really thought about the house.

I rolled my eyes and was about to call out to him when he suddenly stopped. He looked down at the ground and bent to pick up something. When he turned around to face me, he was holding a huge rock half the size of a basketball.

“Watch me, Red,” he said cheekily, dimples flashing.

He grabbed the rock with both hands, raising his arms up as if to throw a shot.

“And three points for Lockhart! Boom.”

The sound of glass breaking felt like freedom as he flung the rock at the house.

I choked out something between a laugh and a cry.

“Phew! I’m still the MVP.” His smile was proud as he bent to pick up another rock. “Here. Your turn, Red.”

What the hell?

I snatched the rock from his hand, and taking aim, I heaved it as hard as I could. It smashed through a window, and the sound of glass breaking woke something inside me. Something dark and heavy and huge was stirring inside me, straining to let loose. Once I started, I didn’t want to stop. The more I threw rocks at that dilapidated house, the lighter I felt. I searched for more rocks and kept throwing them at the house until I was breathing hard. When I finally threw the last one, I felt a form of release so sweet, so light that it brought me peace. It was like a heavy burden had been lifted from my chest.

“That’s my girl.”

I smiled up at him, dusting off my hands. “Thank you.”

“It’s just a house, Red. It can’t hurt you. Your dad can’t either.”

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