Page 12 of Under Rusted Stars

“Because abusers know how to hit someone where it hurts the most,” he says. “They know what buttons to press and how far they can push you before you snap. They know when to gaslight you and backpedal to keep you feeling crazy.”

“You’d know all about that, huh?” I ask with a snarky tone. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that…”

“No, you’re right,” he says. “Olivia…”

“We don’t have to right now,” I say.

“No, we should,” he says. “Everyone here was around when I tormented you for years. It’s only fair they get to hear me out, too.”

“Alright,” I say. I turn on the wicker couch to face him with my feet tucked under me. He turns to face me more, and he looks nervous.

When Kate stands, I glare at her. “We are going to grab the pizza while you two talk,” Kate says.

“You don’t have to go, Kate,” I say.

“I know, and as much as I do want to hear an explanation, I think you will be more willing to talk to him if we aren’t here.”

“What happened to pizza?” I ask.

“Oh, I never ordered it,” she laughs.

“Just go,” I sigh.

“I love you,” she says sweetly.

“Love you, too, Kate,” I say as she leans down and hugs me. Luke does the same, but Rhett just grins at me like an idiot. “Do you want a hug, too, Rhett?” I ask, and he nods happily.

When he leans down to hug me, he laughs when I push him away. “You need a shower, my guy,” I laugh.

“Don’t like my natural cologne?” he asks.

“Gross. Go away,” I laugh. “Thank you, Rhett.”

“Anytime, Liv,” he says.

When they leave, I finally look back at Bodhi. “Bodhi,” I say.

“Olivia,” he says with a smirk.

“Can you put a shirt back on? You are very distracting,” I say, and he smiles.

“Yes,” he laughs. “Your air conditioning is shit, by the way.”

“Yeah. Daisy said she’d try to get someone out to look at it. I’ll remind her,” I say. Bodhi stands and steps into the cabin. He walks out, pulling his t-shirt on before sitting back with me. “So…”

“I don’t know where to even start,” he sighs.

“Maybe by explaining why the fuck you unzipped my dress?” I ask.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t know what my goal was, but I seriously didn’t mean to do that. I didn’t think it would drop like that. I figured you’d have something else under it. I just didn’t think, and it was a stupid thing to do. I got caught up in my own emotions and took that out on you.”

“Why?” I ask. “Why did you hate me so much?”

“I hated that you got a second chance at life when Sean and June adopted you,” he says. “I hated that you got a better life, and I was stuck with an abusive and drunk father. I hated that my mom died, and your mom loved you unconditionally. I was jealous because you got help and I didn’t.”

“I remember when your mom died,” I say.

“I am certain my dad killed her, but Dan never could prove it,” he tells me. “It’s not an excuse for how I treated you, but I just wanted you to know that it was never your fault. Not with me. Not with the assault after prom. Not with Jason.”