Page 84 of Bleeding Hearts

“Whatever you say, macho man.” I laugh at him. “But he would never hurt me, Kaden. He’s a good guy.”

“I know he is.” He sighs. “Does he know?” he asks, and I look at him, confused. “About Alexander,” he clarifies, referring to our father.

“He knows I don’t speak to him or my mom.” I hesitate. “But not exactly why,” I admit. “I’ll tell him soon. There just hasn’t been a good time.”

“He won’t take it well,” he says.

“Why would you think that? Asher has been the most supportive person in my life for I don’t even know how long now. Me telling him that won’t change anything.” I argue.

“I didn’t mean like that, Dem. Of course, he’ll support you, and no, I don’t think it’ll change anything in that sort of way. I just mean that he’s protective of you. I can tell. He watches you the same way that I watch Logan. He’s going to hate knowing that the man who was supposed to be a parent to you was nothing but an abuser.”

I feel myself shrink at his words. I don’t like talking about my father or the abuse I went through at his hands. I don’t like the feelings that it stirs up in me, taking me back to nearly seven years ago now, being strangled against the wall of my childhood home.

Or a few years before that, being kicked so hard in the stomach, I ended up with two broken ribs. Or even earlier on when I wasaccidentallypushed down the stairs.

It also makes me think about how long it went on and how long it took me to get out. I realize now that I was a child and while I could’ve come forward, I had every right to be scared not to.

My father is a wealthy man with friends in high places, specifically the chief of police. The chances of him being arrested and then staying locked up were slim, and he would only be angrier at me if that ended up being the case.

At the time, telling someone about the abuse wouldn’t have stopped it. In fact, the only thing it would’ve done is made it that much worse.

I often go through this vicious cycle with myself when thinking about him. The what-ifs of every situation.

Was I weak for not coming forward when I had proof? Am I weak now for not owning it more? Am I a survivor? Am I a victim? Is my mom an accomplice for standing by? For spewing hate rather than help. Or is she simply a victim trapped in his tangle of lies, blinded by his false claims of love?

“I know.” I sigh, answering Kaden. “But there’s nothing we can do now. He’s out of our lives and that’s all that matters.” I try not to think about my mom, still stuck in his chain of abuse, but it’s hard not to.

I’ve tried so many times to get her out, to make her see what he’s doing to her, but you can’t help someone who’s not ready to be helped.

“He deserves to be in prison, Demi. He’s a sick motherfucker who preys on women and thinks he can get away with it. Maybe if you came for—”

“It wouldn’t matter,” I cut him off. “I haven’t seen him in almost seven years, Kaden. I have no proof and if you haven’t noticed, the justice system is rarely on the women’s side. It’s my word against his, and as much as I hate it, my mom will lie for him. She doesn’t know how not to.”

“It just doesn’t seem fair that he gets to walk around, living a life of luxury, as if nothing is wrong, probably still being abusive to your mom.”

“Well, life isn’t very fair sometimes.” I shrug. The thought of my father living freely is nothing new to me.

I won’t ever accept it, but I also don’t feel like I have the power to do anything about it.

Kaden accepts defeat after that, knowing not to push me any further in the conversation. We head back to the table, where it seems like Theo finally gave in and gave Logan her money.

Asher pulls my barstool toward him so my thighs brush up against his, keeping me close.

“Everything okay?” he whispers into my ear, and I nod.

“All good.” I press a kiss to his cheek. “Oh, but if you ever hurt me, Kaden says he’ll kill you.”

“I’d never hurt you. At least not intentionally. I know I can be an asshole sometimes, but never to you, Demi. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I do.” I smile softly at him.

“Okay, I officially feel like a fifth wheel.” Theo huffs. “Doomsday, come help me find a man, pretty please,” he whines, pouting at me. “Clearly, you have good taste.” He smirks at Asher.

“Of course I do,” I say proudly. At the same time, Asher laughs loudly.

I lean down quickly, placing a kiss on Asher’s lips before interlocking arms with Theo and accepting my role as wingwoman.

This moment, laughing, having fun with some of my best friends. Getting to spend time with the brother I longed for a relationship with all my life.

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