Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Panic set into my heart wondering what those words meant. There was no positive meaning. Not wanting to interrupt again, I simply gripped his hand and gave him my full attention.
“He said the only way to do it was to ruin me for any other man; to make it where I’d never want another man or anything else inside me again. So, he…” His chest heaved and he swallowed hard. “He got a broom, and…” His eyes filled with tears. “It hurt. I bled and cried…”
“Oh, Avery.” I scooped him into my arms again, holding him tightly against me. He didn't pull away. He buried his face into my neck and sobbed. A few tears escaped down my own cheeks as I imagined the terror and pain he experienced. But they dried quickly, as my sorrow morphed into anger. Nobody deserved what he’d been through, what that monster put him through, but to know that this sweet man whom I was quickly falling for had been hurt so deeply was making my blood boil.
I didn’t want to make Avery more upset, so I tried my best to keep my voice even when I asked, “What’s his name?” I also wanted an address so I could pay him a little visit. I’d rip his head off and shove it up his ass. It was better than he deserved.
Once his sobs slowed, Avery sniffed hard and answered, “Jack, but it doesn’t matter.” Before I could argue that it did to me, he added, “He’s in prison.”
I hoped, “For this?”
Avery nodded against my shoulder. “The next morning when he went to work, I told my mom about what happened. I thought she would help me, but she defended her husband. She told me that he was just doing what he felt was right, and it was my fault for making him act on it; that if I were straight to begin with, nothing ever would have happened.”
I had no words. How could a mother turn her back on her child that way? How could she defend such wicked actions?
“When I realized she wouldn’t protect me, I was terrified about what else Jack might do to me. I didn’t know where else to turn, so when I was supposed to be driving to school, I went to the police station instead. I told them everything, and Jack was arrested shortly after that. He didn’t deny a thing; the fucker thought he should get some kind of reward for his ‘good deed’. Eventually, he got locked up. He’s got eight more years to serve.”
It didn’t seem like nearly enough of a punishment, but I was glad he was somewhere far away from Avery. I could only hope the other prisoners were giving him a dose of ‘good deeds’ every damn day.
“My mom blamed me for taking her husband away, and she cut all ties with me. I haven’t heard from her in years and honestly, I don’t want to. I’ve tried to move on with my life and forget about both of them, but that last part has been impossible.
“After everything went down, Daniel pushed me away. My story was in the news and on every pair of lips in town, and he didn’t want to be brought into the middle of it. I wished he would have supported me, but I respected his wishes and never mentioned his name to anyone.
“I didn’t date for years. I couldn’t even think about it. But one day, I told myself I would never fully heal until I faced my fears head on. So, I signed up for a dating site and went out with the first guy I matched with, basically just to get it over with and prove to myself that I could do it.
“But I was wrong. The guy was looking for a hookup and wasn't shy about it. I held it together when he told me what he wanted to do to me, but when he actually touched me, I lost control. My mind went back to that night with Jack and I couldn't handle it. I got sick and passed out. When I woke up, I was in the back of an Uber.”
“He just sent you away?” I snapped angrily. Avery needed help, but the fucker got rid of him.
“I was just glad he didn't do worse to me while I was unconscious.” My heart shattered. That shouldn't have even been a worry on his mind. “But that experience showed me that I wasn't cut out for dating anymore. I'm no good for anyone. Just the thought of having a man inside me…” A shiver rocked through him and I squeezed him tighter.
I stroked his back until his crying stopped and his breathing calmed. “Avery, I hate what that asshole put you through; not only the pain and fear in the moment, but the doubts you're still feeling. But there is nothing wrong with you. You are smart, sweet, and gorgeous, and any man would be lucky to have you. You need a man to help support and understand you, not shame you.