Read Online To Hell and Back by Leigha Taylor - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Leigha Taylor
Ads: Link
ignoring her, I mean, how dare he be with his daughter, right? I actually find that I’m grateful for her since she’s likely the one keeping Hank off my back.
Claire says that the whole town is talking about what happened to me. People are talking about being more careful to lock their doors, talking about how “lucky” I am to have survived. They’ve been talking about me all week. But no one has come to visit. No one knows what really happened, and anyone who suspects anything doesn’t want to come see it in person. No one wants to know about it when there is a problem. No one wants to think about bad things. I don’t get that choice. I’ve done nothing but think about this. I still don’t know what I’m going to do. The thought of going home to Hank terrifies me. I never want to set foot in that house again.
It’s lunchtime and since my clear liquid diet has ended, I’m receiving real food. If you can call cafeteria beef stew real food. I pick at the bits of the stuff they’re calling beef and just end up doodling on my napkin. I hear the doorknob turn, but I don’t even bother to look up. So many nurses, doctors, cafeteria workers and other hospital staff have been in here that it’s practically a revolving door, anyway.
My hand stills when a small gasp from the doorway gets my attention. I stare at my visitor as he stares back at me, and for what seems like forever neither of us moves or says anything. Finally, Carson lets the door close behind him. He walks over to sit in the chair at my bedside and there are tears in his eyes. It should be sweet, but instead I just feel confused. My heart is pounding at his presence and, despite its current state, my body seems to remember him. I move my hair so it partially covers my face. I’m so embarrassed for him to see me here, like this.
“Brielle.” He breathes my name and it just hangs in the air between us. I’m not sure what to say but it seems like one of us should say something, so I try for humor.
“I guess you missed me, huh? Welcome to my luxurious suite at the beautiful H. R. Marshall Memorial Hospital. The view isn’t great and the food is worse but at least the staff is attentive.”
“Oh, Brie,” Carson breathes again. “Is this my fault? Please tell me. I heard that you’re going to be okay and I’m thanking God that I can be here with you right now, but I have to know. Did this happen because of me?”
“No, Carson. This happened because Hank is a monster. It isn’t my fault and it certainly isn’t yours. It is Hank’s fault and his alone.”
“Dammit!” he swears, standing up and starting to pace. “I knew that asshole was behind this. I’ll fucking kill him myself, Brie. Please tell me that he has been locked up. Edith said she heard it was a home invasion, that they’re looking for a thief to pin this on. Please tell me she got the story wrong and that Hank is being punished for this.” It’s scary how fast he went from sad to angry. The rage in his eyes is a little unsettling and I dread telling him the truth.
“Of course he isn’t, Carson. My father is an ex-cop with a lot of old buddies to count on. The official story is that we were robbed and I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Please just leave it alone. I am not about to let it happen again, so please just let it go.”
“Just how do you plan to stop him, Brielle? You have to make him pay for this!” Carson continues pacing back and forth in the small room, raking his hand through his hair in frustration. “Brie, he won’t stop, he…”
“Carson, I have no intention of going home with him again. I had a plan and it didn’t work; it didn’t keep me safe. So I will come up with a new plan. But maybe now you see what my life is like. I can’t afford distractions and I can’t afford to bring other people into my misery. I’m not sure what I’ll do from here on out, but I will
Claire says that the whole town is talking about what happened to me. People are talking about being more careful to lock their doors, talking about how “lucky” I am to have survived. They’ve been talking about me all week. But no one has come to visit. No one knows what really happened, and anyone who suspects anything doesn’t want to come see it in person. No one wants to know about it when there is a problem. No one wants to think about bad things. I don’t get that choice. I’ve done nothing but think about this. I still don’t know what I’m going to do. The thought of going home to Hank terrifies me. I never want to set foot in that house again.
It’s lunchtime and since my clear liquid diet has ended, I’m receiving real food. If you can call cafeteria beef stew real food. I pick at the bits of the stuff they’re calling beef and just end up doodling on my napkin. I hear the doorknob turn, but I don’t even bother to look up. So many nurses, doctors, cafeteria workers and other hospital staff have been in here that it’s practically a revolving door, anyway.
My hand stills when a small gasp from the doorway gets my attention. I stare at my visitor as he stares back at me, and for what seems like forever neither of us moves or says anything. Finally, Carson lets the door close behind him. He walks over to sit in the chair at my bedside and there are tears in his eyes. It should be sweet, but instead I just feel confused. My heart is pounding at his presence and, despite its current state, my body seems to remember him. I move my hair so it partially covers my face. I’m so embarrassed for him to see me here, like this.
“Brielle.” He breathes my name and it just hangs in the air between us. I’m not sure what to say but it seems like one of us should say something, so I try for humor.
“I guess you missed me, huh? Welcome to my luxurious suite at the beautiful H. R. Marshall Memorial Hospital. The view isn’t great and the food is worse but at least the staff is attentive.”
“Oh, Brie,” Carson breathes again. “Is this my fault? Please tell me. I heard that you’re going to be okay and I’m thanking God that I can be here with you right now, but I have to know. Did this happen because of me?”
“No, Carson. This happened because Hank is a monster. It isn’t my fault and it certainly isn’t yours. It is Hank’s fault and his alone.”
“Dammit!” he swears, standing up and starting to pace. “I knew that asshole was behind this. I’ll fucking kill him myself, Brie. Please tell me that he has been locked up. Edith said she heard it was a home invasion, that they’re looking for a thief to pin this on. Please tell me she got the story wrong and that Hank is being punished for this.” It’s scary how fast he went from sad to angry. The rage in his eyes is a little unsettling and I dread telling him the truth.
“Of course he isn’t, Carson. My father is an ex-cop with a lot of old buddies to count on. The official story is that we were robbed and I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Please just leave it alone. I am not about to let it happen again, so please just let it go.”
“Just how do you plan to stop him, Brielle? You have to make him pay for this!” Carson continues pacing back and forth in the small room, raking his hand through his hair in frustration. “Brie, he won’t stop, he…”
“Carson, I have no intention of going home with him again. I had a plan and it didn’t work; it didn’t keep me safe. So I will come up with a new plan. But maybe now you see what my life is like. I can’t afford distractions and I can’t afford to bring other people into my misery. I’m not sure what I’ll do from here on out, but I will
Similar Books
