Page 7 of Easton

Of course you should have.

I can’t do this right now, El.

I try and close my eyes, but my head aches too much for me to sleep. I’m not sure how much time has passed before I hear, “Get up, Swift.”

“No.” If he wants me up, someone is here. I should have known not to call Morgan, should have known to just leave italone, but then what would I have done about Pretty Girl? She shouldn’t have to suffer because of my issues.

Archer. You could have called Archer.

But I’ve never been the one to call him. He doesn’t even know Pretty Girl. At least Morgan does.

“Your family got up in the middle of the night to try and help you. The least you can do is show some appreciation.”

He’s right, of course he is, so I stand up, ignoring the pain in my face. The officer handcuffs me, then leads me to a small room.

The second I walk in, the first person I see is my dad. I don’t even know why I call him that. He’s not a father to me. He doesn’t want me. Never has. Immediately, I feel myself shrinking.

“Jesus Christ. Has he seen a doctor?” Morgan snaps.

“He refused,” the officer replies.

“I don’t give a fuck if he refused. He’s seeing a doctor,” Morgan argues, voice sounding like he’s barely hanging on.

The officer walks me over and seats me.

Why? Why does it sound like Morgan cares?

Because he does,El tells me.

“Yes. He is,” Rhett orders, and he’s like my dad in that when he says something, people listen. I don’t have to look at the officer to know he’s going to make it happen, and all that does is piss me off. I didn’t need this.

The door shuts behind me, and I know the officer left.

I turn to my middle brother. “Fuck you, Morgan. I asked for your help with Pretty Girl, not this.” I’m so tired of them trying to fix me, to make me into exactly what they want me to be so I don’t make them look bad.

“I called Rhett. I didn’t know he was at Dad’s.” Morgan kneels in front of me. When he reaches out and tries to touch my face, I pull away. “Christ, East. What happened?”

“Are you going to see my dog tomorrow?”

“Yes. And if we can’t make it, Cass will. We’ll take care of her. I promise. Right now, I’m more worried about you.”

I’m not worth it. One day you’ll see.

Yes, you are.

Stop it, Ella.

“What happened?” Rhett asks, his tone making it clear he thinks it’s my fault. It makes my skin feel too tight.

“I attacked someone. That’s what they told you, right?” It doesn’t matter what I say. It never does.

Dusty says, “We’re not asking what they told us. We’re askingyouwhat happened because we trust and believe in you.” And he does. I don’t get why, but Dusty loves all of us. He’s been put through a lot because of it, and the last thing I want is to make that worse. The sooner he realizes I’m beyond help, the better, so I don’t reply.

Rhett tries again. “Easton, you have to give me something to work with here. Tell me what happened.”

Ah, because he’s going to be my lawyer. Of course he is. Gotta try and fix this for Dad.

“Him,” our father interrupts my thoughts. “He’s what happened. He always happens.”