Chapter 5: Chapter 5

REECE

Damn it. I hadn’t meant to say that. The timing was all wrong. I didn’t know what had come over me, but hearing her say she was too messed up to be loved was just ridiculous.

“You’re not messed up,” I said.

“Yes, I am, Reece. You don’t know what I’m dealing with. Right now, I can’t be in a relationship and maintain my mental health.”

“Why?” I asked.

Odette put the plates in the sink and turned around. I noticed the tears in her eyes.

“I need time to get over what Tyler did to me,” she admitted.

I brushed her hair out of the way and cupped her face.

“What did he do?” I asked. My words came out as a whisper.

“I don’t want to tell you,” she sobbed.

“I can’t help if I don’t know what’s hurting you,” I said gently, searching her face for clues.

“He was abusive. That’s why I’m here. I went to my boss when I found out about the position here and told him what was happening. I told him how I needed the transfer to get away, and he helped me leave.”

“I’ll fucking kill him,” I said, pulling her to me.

My heart ached watching her cry. Without thinking, I dipped my head down and placed my lips on hers. It surprised me when she started kissing back, but she quickly stepped back from me.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you,” she said before leaving me and walking out of the kitchen.

I stood still for a moment, unsure whether I should follow.

As I was leaving the kitchen, Winston stopped me in the hallway and pulled me to the side.

“What did you do to her?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I responded honestly.

“Nothing? She was crying when she walked out, and you were the only one in there with her,” he said accusingly.

I rubbed my face. “You promise not to punch me in the face?” I asked.

“Maybe,” Winston said.

“I told her I couldn’t stop thinking about her, and then I kissed her. But that’s not why she was crying. Before I tell you everything, you need to promise you won’t let her know I told you. I don’t want to betray her trust.”

“It depends on what it is. If she is putting her life in danger, then I’m going to step in,” he said.

“Fair enough,” I said with a sigh. “She left Maine because her boyfriend is a piece of shit who laid his hands on her.”

“Damn. She told me about staying but not about the abuse. Is she okay?” Winston asked, his tone filled with worry.

“Physically, yes. Mentally and emotionally, probably not. I’ll try and talk her into getting a restraining order. Guys like that usually come back around.”

“We’ve known you for a long time. Most of us watched you grow up, and we know you’re a good guy. I’m glad she has you in her corner. Keep in mind that if you hurt her, all five of us will beat the shit out of you, and I’ll do it twice,” Winston threatened.

“Understood. If it makes you feel any better, she turned down my advances,” I admitted.

“It does…a little bit,” he said with a smile.

Winston was always the laid-back one, but also probably the scariest because of his build—and I don’t want to be on his bad side.

“I’m going to go make sure my sister is okay. Keep an eye on her and let me know if anything happens.”

“I will,” I said.

Winston and I walked back to the bar area, and I took a seat next to Wren while Winston sat next to Etta.

“I think I’m going to break up with Sam,” Wren admitted casually without looking at me.

“What? Why?” I asked. His statement seemed a little out of the blue.

“I don’t think it’s going to last between us,” Wren seriously admitted.

I was surprised to hear this from him. I thought they were doing well.

“Did something happen?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“Kind of. There’s this girl at work that I can’t shake. I’m just drawn to her, and it made me realize that I’m not in love with Sam, and I shouldn’t string her along.”

“Welcome to the second half of adulthood,” I said, patting him on the back.

“Shut up. I feel horrible. Nothing has happened, but I still feel guilty.”

“It means you’re a person who understands right from wrong. Can I confess something to you?”

He nodded at me.

“I like your sister,” I admitted.

“Of course you do. Everyone does,” Wren said, not catching on to what I was saying.

“No. I mean, I like her,” I clarified.

“I thought you said nothing was going on?” he asked, a little confused.

“Nothing is going on, but it doesn’t mean it’s not going to.”

“Nope, you’re not allowed to. I’m not losing my best friend to my sister. I don’t want to think about my sister being with you. Don’t pursue her, please,” Wren begged. “If you date her, things will get messy between us, and I will be stuck between my sister and best friend. I’m not going to put up with that. Besides, Etta is going back to Maine after the wedding,” he added.

She needed to tell her family that she was staying. She needed to tell them about her boyfriend. I was in over my head with her family, and I needed to tread carefully.