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to talk about it?”
    Taking a deep breath, I tried to pull myself together so that Cam didn’t see me so unsettled. It always worried him when I freaked out because of a memory. I hated the thought of constantly dragging him down because of my relapses. How much longer could he possibly be my life-guard?
    I opened the door and met his concerned eyes. “I’m fine, Cam. I just needed a minute. I’m sure Aunt Terryn is already on damage control, telling everyone that I have my period or something to explain why I left…other than the truth. God forbid anyone actually knew the truth!”
    “Want to get out of here?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
    I glanced at the clock on the wall of the church basement, noting that the service wouldn’t be over for another twenty minutes. There was no way in hell that I could go back in there.
    Smiling, I nodded.
    “Good. We’re both going to get into so much trouble, but I don’t give a fuck.”
    I placed my hand over my chest in faux shock. “Cameron Michael Bowen,” I said in my playful gentile voice, “how dare you say the word fuck in a house of God! I do declare.” I batted my eyelashes at him and my heart warmed at the smile on his face. I knew that no matter what I was going through, I could get through it as long as I could look at Cam and see him smile.
    “Come on, Mar. Let’s go break a few rules. Go big or go home! And I’m pretty sure you don’t want to go home. Am I right?”
    I nodded once more and before I knew it, Cam was hauling me out of the church basement, the potluck organizer glowering at us in disgust because we were ditching early. Cam must have noticed her displeasure and he turned around quickly. “Oh, Mrs. Dumond?”
    I looked over his shoulder at her smug grin.
    “I do hope you enjoy your Sunday potluck, but Marley and I are unable to attend. You see, Marley was molested and abused nearly every night for three years right after she turned eight, and certain sounds set her off. So, if you feel the need to spread lies and rumors about why we left, think about how you would feel if that were your daughter.” There was a brief pause as her jaw dropped open in shock. “Brush that under the fucking rug, if you will.”
    He spun around and grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the church and toward his Wrangler. After opening the door and helping me in, he ran around to his side and started the engine, looking at me with a grin of satisfaction on his face. “I’m breaking all the rules today, Marley Jane. No matter what, we’re going to get in trouble so let’s make it worth it. What do you want to do?”
    My eyes beamed with excitement. “Want to go on a road trip?”
    He put his car in first and drove out of the church parking lot. “You bet. But, first, we need to make a few quick stops to stock up on provisions.” He winked and I could finally shed the person I was forced to be for the last half-hour while I sat within those four walls of judgment.

C HAPTER T EN
L IFE

    “A RE WE ACTUALLY GOING to do something, or are we just going to drive around town all day?” Marley huffed.
    I looked into my rearview mirror at the back seat of my Wrangler, Marley’s hand firmly enclosed in Doug’s, and shook my head. “Mar, patience. We’re leaving now.”
    She winked at me and reached into the front seat, grabbing Brianna’s arm. “I’m so glad you were able to get out of the house.”
    Brianna smiled nervously. “Anything to escape for a minute.”
    “Where are we going?” Doug asked.
    “Road trip.”
    “Go big or go home!” Marley exclaimed, repeating my words from earlier.
    “We’re going to Charleston. It’s our last Sunday before starting school. We may as well enjoy the lack of homework while we can!” I pulled onto the interstate and headed south, the wind rustling through the open-top of my Jeep.
    “How did you get away from church and everything today?!” Brianna shouted, glancing at Doug.
    I chuckled. “Doug’s Jewish.