Page 237 of Five Brothers
I pull out one more thing from the pocket of my skirt and step forward.
“And I promise you, you’ll get everything you pay for,” I tell him, placing the key on the table. “On one more condition.”
Jerome reaches out to pick it up. “And what’s that?”
I slide it away from him. “Not you.” And I push it toward Garrett Ames instead. “You.”
He picks it up and turns it over, examining it. “And what’s this a key to, little girl?”
I leave quickly, worried they’ll try to make me stay. I know the stories, heard about the sharing that goes on among the adults.
I never asked my mother and will not ask Clay if she thinks her parents took part in any of it. I don’t want to know.
I don’t want anything to do with it.
The adults …
Like I’m not one of them now.
My plan worked perfectly tonight. Everything went in my favor. The tears well in my eyes in spite of the wins.
He left. So quickly. Left me in there. With those men. In that room. Inthatroom. God …
I walk down the drive, toward my Rover, barely noticing the people on the green. “Krisjen!” I hear someone call.
I look right as a crowd of night golfers congregates a hundred yards away, one person waving their golf club in the air. I think it’s Clay. Did Liv join her?
I came dressed to play for their biannual fundraising event—ifnothing else, as an excuse to get out of the meeting if Jerome tried to keep me—but I just want to go home. I need to think.
I know I did the right thing. Right? This is what’s right. It sucks, but it’s right. He’ll be safe now.
But then he’s there.
In front of me. Walking to me as I stop at my car.
“Does he have enough money for you?” Macon asks, climbing the incline of the driveway, up to me.
He didn’t leave. I don’t blink, but I feel the tears in my chest.He stayed.
“You look good,” I whisper.
He does. The bags are still there but getting lighter. He’s sleeping.
As soon as I drove up and saw the bikes parked along the edge of the driveway, I got nervous, but I was also happy to see him riding. With his family.
He stops when he reaches me, his body pressing into mine as he gazes down at me. “How many square feet did he promise?”
God, I love his eyes. Everyone notices the green eyes on his brothers, but Macon’s make me feel like I’m tucked away in a cabin, deep in the forest, under a quilt, and it’s raining. It feels like a memory, but it’s not. I’ve never been to a cabin.
“You’re all riding,” I say, unable not to smile a little. I’m glad he’s getting out. He looks strong.
“Does he have brothers, too?” he says.
My chin trembles. He looks so good. “I don’t know,” I admit.
“But he won’t want anyone else touching me. At least for a while. At least until …”
He touches his forehead to mine.