Page 64 of Versions Of Us

“I don’t know how much longer I can live like this. I’m just so scared,” she cries. “I’m scared all the time and I hate it.”

“I know. It’s okay,” I reassure her. “It won’t be like this forever, okay?”

“But how do you really know that?” Mackenzie usually guards her heart, never letting her true emotions show, but right now she exudes a ferocity that no one I know has ever displayed.

No one except Kristen.

I’m not sure what else I can say to her to take her fears away because the truth is I don’t really know. Neither of us can predict the future.

“Did something happen, Mackenzie?” I ask, softer this time.

“I was down at the pier, and I saw this guy,” she snivels. “I thought it was him.”

An ice-cold shiver runs down my spine. “But it wasn’t, right?”

Every molecule of my being depends on her confirmation of this.

“No. It was just some guy with the same haircut. But it scared me.” A fresh tear rolls down her cheek and I reach out and brush it away. “And it just sucks. I mean, is this the way I’m going to have to live my life now? Always watching over my shoulder?”

“I know how hard this is but there are people in this town that will have your back,” I say. “If you let them.”

She gives me a knowing look, aware of exactly who I’m referring to. “What if they come looking for me? What if he already knows where I am?”

I sigh, knowing that I’m the only one that can offer her any form of comfort. I’m literally all she has right now.

I reach out for her, pulling her in close. She buries her face in my chest as I wrap my arms around her, resting my chin on her head.

“It’s okay. I’m here,” I tell her. “They have to get through me first.”

I’ve never felt more protective of anyone in my entire life.

I’ve also never been more terrified.

Chapter 28

KRISTEN

Chase’s cherry red jeep wrangler pulls up on the curb outside the Haven. This morning’s course session had been a gruelling one on the fundamentals of neuroscience and behaviour. My mind feels completely blown and the only thing I want to be doing is taking a hot bath and falling into bed for a long nap. But Carla had called asking if I could fill in for a couple of hours this afternoon because Harper – who as it turns out, is well and truly pregnant – had a midwife appointment to go to.

“Thanks for the lift, Chase. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“No problem. Same time tomorrow?” Chase throws the car in park and loops an arm around the passenger seat headrest.

“Yeah.” I wince. I had really hoped my car would be fixed by now but unfortunately Henley was right. The whole engine is shot and for the cost to replace it, I may as well buy a new car. “Sorry. I know I’m a pain.”

“Oh, you’re the worst,” he deadpans before breaking out into laughter. “Kidding. It’s fine. It’s not even out of my way.”

“I know. I just don’t want to be a burden,” I say.

“Are you kidding?” His brown eyes are sincere. “You could never be a burden to me, Kristen.”

I know he means what he says but I hate having to rely on other people for anything. I’ve always wanted to be completely independent, strong in the same way my mother is. Even as a single mum with a few hundred dollars to her name, she’d been able to build a life for us from next to nothing.

“Well, thank you. I really appreciate it.” I pause, my hand on the passenger door handle.

“Are you okay?” he asks. “You still haven’t seemed like yourself these past few days.”

“Yeah,” I say. “It’s just stuff with…”

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