Page 84 of Huge Games

"How are you feeling, Mom?"

"Like I got run over." She laughs lightly and then winces.

"I went to the police," I tell her. "I told them it was Dad."

"Why did you do that?" Her horror makes my skin crawl. Celine, who's still holding my other hand, gives it a squeeze.

"Because he needs to be stopped. He's not going to change. Maybe next time he'll kill you."

"No," she says, but it sounds weak.

I'm not going to argue with her about this. I decided when I went to the station that things would be different. She has to take a stand, or I'll cut them both off entirely. There's no middle ground anymore.

"Either you tell the police that he assaulted you, or I'm not gonna see you anymore, Mom. You have to decide now. I can't watch this happen to you over and over anymore. It's gone on for too long."

Her face twists like she's in pain.

"He showed up at my game the other day and started throwing his weight around. I don't want to see him anymore. I'm done. And you should be too."

"But Elias…"

I hold my hand up, and she shrinks against the pillow, worried I’ll hurt her like he does. That stings worse than anything. Her hair is matted, and her face is a patchwork of green, blue, and purple. She looks old before her time and so damned tired.

"There are no buts anymore, Mom. This is it."

Her lips thin as she presses them tightly together, and I know I was right. She's not going to say anything. Nothing's going to change. She can't live without him, and that's the disturbing truth. In my heart, I knew. It's why I went to the police first, so that she'd feel some extra pressure. I hoped it would be enough, but it's not.

"I'm happy you're awake. You're obviously recovering, and that's a good thing. But I'm not going to come and see you again. Not until he's out of your life for good."

I turn to Celine, and her pretty, green eyes are so soft when they focus on me; it's like she's stroking my face tenderly just by looking.

"Let's go," I say, and we do.

When we get to the car, Celine wraps her arms around me and holds me tightly. I encircle her with my arms, and we embrace for the longest time. "You're doing the right thing," she murmurs against my chest.

"I know."

"It's hard, and you have to stay strong. She'll come around."

"If he doesn't end her first."

She squeezes me tighter and then tips her face to mine. I don't even think about what it means to kiss her. I don't ask if it's okay. We're still walking this tightrope where neither of us has admitted to feelings or been honest about wanting more. I want her so badly, my palms itch with it. It's the same way I felt when I was a kid, hoping Santa would bring me something good. A yearning hopefulness that I keep praying won't be dashed.

When we part, I think about earlier. "Dornan wants to hang out tonight. Are you up for it?"

"Sure. Shall we go to Travis's?" It's like she read both our minds.

"You call Dornan. I'll drive."

So that's what we do.

And a difficult day turns into a perfect night, but still none of us are brave enough to say what's really in our hearts.

27

TRAVIS

Fake Date Group Chat.

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