Page 57 of Glad You Exist

“It’s not your fault Kim. I don’t even know what possessed Hunter to do that. He’s always been nothing but friendly to me. Maybe it was my fault. I chose to ignore his texts and come-ons instead of just flat out telling him I’m not interested. I made him think there was a chance that I was.”

My stomach starts to churn, like a cocktail of jealousy, fury, and the strong need to protect my person. Because that’s what she is.

My person.

But even if she isn’t and she decides she doesn’t feel the same way, it still doesn’t matter. No one has the fucking right to touch her—or any other person—like that without her consent.

I’m pulsing with a combination of all three. She clearly thinks she’s at fault for what that piece of shit did.

I rub my forehead as I share a look with Kyle. He looks just as disturbed as I am about that.

We are both unsure about who should be the one to say it and I shake my head saying I can’t.

I clench my teeth trying to keep from unleashing another barrage of repressed emotions.

Kyle doesn’t need to be told twice, he gets up and crosses the room to Liz.

Sitting on the table in front of us, he hinges forward, hands clasped in front of him.

“Lizzy. No one has the right to touch you without your consent. And I'm being generous with my wording right now. I’m pissed as hell. Don't ever think for a fucking second that getting harassed and assaulted is your fault. Am I clear?"

Liz looks taken aback.

I don't blame her. Kyle is lighthearted, always a joke on hand. As tall and imposing in build as he is, he never takes on a stern tone even when technically he is the oldest out of the four of us. He usually lets things roll off his back.

That draws Kim closer to us and she bends and whispers to him, "That was hot."

He spares her a sideways glance and a wink. "Later." He says that like a promise.

I choke back my laughter. Leave it to these two to break the tension.

He turns back to Liz, "Will you do me a favor?"

Liz nods but I can already see the tension seeping out of her.

"If he even so much as looks at you.Tell”—he cocks his head at me—“us.”

Liz’s eyes widen in shock, "I don't want to cause any trouble."

Kyle's expression turns almost violent.

Because of how easygoing he typically is, I tend to forget how commanding his presence can be.

"He should have thought about that before committing a crime. You do know that's what he did to you right?"

Liz looks to me, pleading for help with her eyes. I shake my head.

"I agree, El. I should have called the cops last night."

That thought has been smashing around my head since last night and I curse under my breath. Last night, all my focus was on getting Liz out of there. What I should have done was pull my phone out and call 911. Then watch as they hauled his ass out of my house.

Kim reaches over and brushes Liz’s hair out of her eyes, "They're absolutely right Lizzy. Admittedly, we were all running on fumes last night but one of us should have called."

She pats Kyle's shoulder. "Tell her babe."

Kyle looks at me for a beat and I nod.

He takes a deep breath. "I called Coach this morning and told him."

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