Page 210 of Fighting Chance
“Sheis the abuser. The pain she caused you and others lies fully in her hands.” His lips part, but I cut him off. “You were abused for years, Kieran. That’s a hard thing to shake and stand up to. Most people never confront their abusers, and they shouldn’t have to. The school, other parents—the adults in your life should have seen the signs and helped.”
Leaning forward, I kiss him, my heart aching and needing to soothe his pain. I lay my forehead on his, whispering, “All that matters is what you do moving forward and what’s best for you. Whether that’s talking to someone or not.”
“It would be the right thing to tell someone, though.”
I’m quiet for a moment, not wanting to push him, but I can’tnotthink of those children, of how many others she has hurt over the years and is no doubt still hurting. I imagine she’s older now, but words and emotional manipulation can harm just as strongly, if not more, than physical abuse.
Physical abuse bears the scars; you can see them and watch them heal. But with mental abuse, some of the scars are buried so deep and ingrained so thoroughly in your mind you’ll never find them.
“What’s the worst that could happen if you report her?” I ask.
He chews on his lip. “The foster home would be shut down.”
“Would it, though? Isn’t the state required to replace her?”
“I’m not sure.” Rubbing a hand down his face, he whispers, “Can we maybe take a break from this? I feel…raw.”
“Of course!” Leaning over, I grab the TV remote, instinctively binging upGilmore Girls. “All on your own time, Kieran.I’ll never force you to do or speak about anything.” The intro fills the living room as I snuggle into his side.
A kiss lands on top of my head. “I have no idea what I did to deserve you.”
“You simply exist, Kieran, and that’s more than enough.”
“Speaking of being more than enough.” Turning my head to the side as he pauses, once our gazes lock and hold he continues. “Have you given anymore thought to Bella illustrating one of your children books?”
“Nice change of subject,” I say pointedly.
“Nice deflection.”
Pursing my lips at the stubborn gleam in his eye, I know without a shadow of a doubt he won’t drop the subject.
I turn back to the TV with a shrug. “Writing children’s books are a dream, one so far off I?—”
“But it’s not far off, it’s within your grasp Layla.”
“Ooh you called me by my first name, this must mean serious business.”
His fingers tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. “Your dreams are serious. I just don’t know why you don’t consider it.”
Biting my bottom lip I relent. “I will, okay?”
“Are you saying that just to shut me up?”
Peering at him out of the corner of my eye I can’t help but smile. “Maybe?”
Kieran’s sigh is weary as he wraps an arm behind me. “One thing about me that you should know by now sunshine, especially after how many unanswered text messages I sent you, is that once I get an idea in my head I’m like a dog with a bone.”
“Hmm.” I hum. “So I was right when I first met you, you are no better than a dog.”
Kieran leans forward with a smile, his lips brushing mine as his fingers find my waist and begin to tickle. “You’re going to pay for that sunshine,” he teases.
He muffles my cries with his tongue as he keeps up his relentless tickling,Gilmore Girlslong forgotten.
Chapter 46
Kieran
BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER
