That Day - Karen Deen (large ebook reader .TXT) 📗

She takes me into her arms for a hug that feels nice, but it’s nothing like the ones from Kurt.

In four years, not one person has touched me, yet now she finally reaches out.

I want to push her away, but the truth is, right now I could use a hug. Dropping my head on to her shoulder, I start to cry, and the flood gates open.

Her hand brushes on the back of my head, stroking me as I sob.

For the beautiful Warringtons whose love kept them together, till death did they part.

For the lives lost that night, including my life as I knew it, as Jenna.

For my parents who lost their only daughter that night when I was torn away from them.

And for Kurt when eventually I rip his heart out too, the day the marshals take me away to testify.

Life is so unfair, and I don’t know what I did to deserve the hand I was dealt.

“Shh, Asha, it’s okay. I’m here. I had no idea how lonely you were. You always seemed so happy here.” I can hear the sorrow in her voice, and I feel guilty for the way I acted this morning, but I needed to make a stand for myself.

Oh god, I sit up with a start and panic. “Scott?”

“Don’t worry, he’s not here. It’s just me.”

I sit back into my chair and pull myself together again. “Good, I don’t like him, he’s an arrogant prick.”

Davina laughs at me. “I gathered that this morning. Just know he is just trying to keep you safe,” Davina says, trying to sound all professional.

“Well, he can do that from a distance. I just want to talk to you, no one else. I trust you, but I don’t trust him. He creeps me out.” Wiping my face, I push my hair back off my wet cheeks.

“Why don’t you trust him?” she asks.

“I don’t know, there’s just something about him.” Looking back out to the ocean, I notice I must have been off in my flashback for a while. The sky is a little darker and the sun is starting to get lower in the sky.

We both sit silently for a while, just letting me find my balance again.

“Why are you here, Davina?” I can’t look at her because I’m afraid of the answer.

“To give you some news…”

“I’m not leaving!”

“You don’t have to, so just calm down.” Feeling her shifting in her seat, I stay looking forward and focused on Kurt’s house. Is he there waiting for me right now?

“We have decided that your relationship can continue with Kurt for the time being.” Her voice is soft.

“Wow, that’s very big of the department to allow me to have a boyfriend. Please give them my heartfelt thanks,” I snap, standing up and walking to the edge of the porch.

“It’s not like that at all, Asha, can you just listen?”

I turn quickly and look at her. “Then what’s it like? Do I need to make a phone call every time he wants to come to my house? If he is going to stay the night, do I need to get clearance?” I lean back against the beam that is holding me up and making me look stronger than I feel right now.

“You’re being a drama queen and you know it.” She rolls her eyes at me. “I have told Scott to back off, and we are not letting the agency know about Kurt at this stage, as I’m happy he isn’t a threat. But know this, Asha. We are watching him like a hawk. If he makes one wrong move, he is gone out of your life and you are being shipped out of here quicker than you can blink. Are we clear?”

I nod at her but deep inside I’m cheering and doing a happy dance. “Thank you,” is all I can say. I shouldn’t even have to go through this, but they have me backed into a corner. To keep me safe, I have to live by the rules.

“I know it’s hard, but it will be all worth it once we make them pay for what they did. This case is bigger than just you. We have to keep sight of that.”

“Some days are just harder than others.” Feeling sorry for the pain I know I’m putting her through by asking her to keep this secret, I take my place back on the seat next to her, placing my hand on hers and giving it a squeeze. “I do really appreciate this. I know you’re putting your neck on the line for me.”

“Just enjoy the good days, Asha. We don’t know how many we will get.”

She pushes herself back up to standing with her crutches and heads back to her car. She stops at the last minute and looks over her shoulder.

“And by the way, where the hell is my next chapter, woman? You can’t just leave me hanging like this. Tell Kurt all boyfriend privileges are revoked if it stops you from writing. I’m waiting!” She laughs as she keeps hobbling to the car and maneuvers herself in. I know Scott is somewhere watching right now and probably fuming at the whole situation. But I don’t care. As long as I don’t have to deal with him, then all is good in the world.

We didn’t set a time for me to arrive at Kurt’s, but he gave me his address this morning, and after Davina left, I couldn’t settle. I knew I needed to see him.

As I nervously walk up to the double doors, at least I know I’m at the right house. His truck is parked in the driveway, with his name all over it. Bit of a giveaway. The street has plenty of cars parked on it, so I just pulled into the driveway behind his.

Pushing the doorbell, I can hear it chiming in the house but there’s no noise of movement yet. Waiting for a few more minutes, I try again, but still nothing. Maybe