Hetch (Men OF S.W.A.T #1)(32)

“Yeah, well, this kid got you hurt, almost killed.” It’s an exaggeration. We all know it, but I don’t call him on it.

“Listen, I know you’re worried. I get it. Yes, I was hurt. But so was he. He’s as much a victim as I am. I couldn’t walk away from him.”

“You’re getting too close to this kid, Liberty.” My dad doesn’t give in, and I don’t have anything else to say so I keep quiet. The silence grows heavier the longer we stare each other down.

“We just want you to know we’re concerned.” Mom is the first to break the silence.

“And I understand and appreciate your concern. I do. But I need you to know, I’m not walking away from him or from my responsibility at Boys Haven.” My eyes don’t leave my father's, needing him to know this is my passion, and I won’t step back.

“We’re not telling you to walk away. I’m telling you to think smart, darling. You need to stay safe. You can’t help these kids if you’re not here.” My gaze cuts back to my mom, at the unsteadiness of her voice, and I watch her lose her steely composure, revealing her fears.

“You’re right, Mom. I’m sorry. I’m not thinking about you guys. I promise. I’ll be more careful.” I step toward her.

“That’s all we ask.” She takes me in her arms, wrapping me up in her comfort.

“You’re still our baby.” My dad steps behind me, circling both of us in his arms. “So don’t ever keep something like this from us again.” I cringe at my father’s tone, letting the shame wash over me. I really should have called and filled them in before sneaking off to Fee’s for two days.

“I understand.” I let their love surround me, giving them the peace they need. I know they mean well, always have. They just aren’t as invested as I am.

“Okay, rein it in everyone. You’re gonna make me sick,” my brother calls from the door, breaking our moment.

Why the hell is he here? The last time he joined us for family dinner, was months ago.

“Ohh, you’re here. Excellent.” Mom releases me from her vise grip, gives my brother a quick hug, and then moves past him to the front door.

“Bertie.” Jett offers me his arms, and reluctantly, I step in for a quick embrace.

“Wasn’t expecting you here tonight.” I try to whisper into his ear, but even up on my toes, I barely reach his jaw. Just like my father, he’s freakishly tall.

“Knocked off work in time.” He pulls back, unable to give me his eyes. Ever since it came out about his affair with his skanky whore, he’s never been able to look me in the eye.

Probably knows he can’t bullshit me with his bullshit.

“Aunt B.” Arabella barrels through the door, past my mother and father, and into my arms. “Daddy droves us in his car.” It takes a second for me to breathe through the ache she jolted out of me.

“He did, did he?” I inhale through my nose, masking my discomfort.

“Yep.” She nods up and down. “What happened to your face, Aunt B?” She steps back when she notices the small bandage concealing the graze on my cheekbone.

“I have a nasty boo boo,” I tell her as her small hand reaches out and gently touches me.

“Mommy, Aunt B is hurt!” she yells out, like somehow her mother, my best friend, can fix me.

“Is she?” Payton steps into the house, her eyes scanning over my face and assessing the damage. I haven’t spoken to Payton since our breakfast the other day. I’m not sure how tonight is going to go.

“What the hell happened?” Her eyes grow wide as she takes me in.

“I just–” I’m not sure what to say, so I don’t say anything else. Mom, sensing the tension, ushers Arabella out of the room and into the kitchen. Leaving Dad, Jett and Payton all staring at me.

“Come on, son, come help me outside for second.” My dad picks up on the stiffness between us, opting for a quick escape.

Well, this should be interesting.

“What happened?” She drops her bag down on the sofa and takes a seat.

“I ran into some trouble with The Disciples.”

“Jesus, Lib, how do you get yourself into these situations.” She drops her stony stare and scolds me.

“Don’t you start on me, too. It’s bad enough I’m getting it from Mom and Dad. I need my friend. Can I have her?” It’s all she needs to hear to scoot forward and wrap me up in her arms.

“I’m sorry, girl. I shouldn’t have left the way I did the other day.” Her hold on me is strong, and a little painful, but I don’t let her know. It feels good to have her talking to me again.

“I shouldn’t have said what I did,” I admit, not sure if I really mean it.

“No, you brought up valid points, Lib. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you. You’re right, and maybe it’s why I left. I couldn’t handle it. Maybe I am holding on out of guilt with Arabella. Maybe I was afraid to lose you, lose this.” She motions around my parents’ house. The same house we grew up in. “It’s so hard to know what to do.” To me, it sounds like she’s made her decision.

So why did she come with Jett tonight? Like a family?

“I went home, thought hard, then spoke to Jett, and unless I make a decision, we can’t move on. So I made a decision.” I sit, waiting, still not sure exactly where she is going with this. “We’re going to give it a second chance. But one slip up, even just a little one, he’s done.” It’s almost too hard not to react the way she’s probably expecting me to react.