Alone (Bone Secrets, #4)(57)

“Yes, I showered last night, but I can still smell it on me.”

“You got some clothes?”

“Yes, I dug these out of the very bottom of my dresser.” The doctor sniffed at a sleeve.

“I really like Dr. Rutledge,” said Trinity. “He likes you a lot, too. Are you dating?”

Did Dr. Peres just blush?

Trinity wasn’t certain about the blush, but the doctor dropped eye contact. Exactly what her friends did when they were slightly embarrassed or someone mentioned a guy they liked.

“I wouldn’t say we’re dating. We did at one point. He’s back in my life now after a very long absence, and we’re still feeling things out, trying to see where to go with this.”

“Well, he’s pretty clear about what he wants. Everyone last night could tell.”

Dr. Peres met her gaze. “What?”

“He likes you a lot. He puts out that protective vibe around you. It was weird to see it last night.”

Trinity’s phone vibrated in her pocket. Dr. Peres met her gaze and smiled. “Go ahead. I’m going to see if Katy’s up yet.”

Trinity nodded and pulled out her phone. Jason again.

DO U HAVE A CAR? COULD U COME GET ME?

She stared at the screen. Why her? R U OK?

There was a long pause after her text. She took a few bites of her scone, but it seemed to have lost its flavor. Why would Jason ask her for help? They barely knew each other.

AVOIDING SOMEONE. HE KNOWS ALL MY FRIENDS. NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Trinity’s mind spun. Who was he hiding from? His parents? Were they angry about the shooting? But were they mad in a concerned-parent way or a want-to-beat-on-him-*-parent way? She knew nothing of Jason’s family situation.

IS SOMEONE GOING TO HURT YOU? She cringed as she sent the text, but she needed to be frank. Would he answer truthfully?

A full minute went by. Had she offended him? Or was he laughing at her? Showing her text to his friends and laughing at what a dork she was for being concerned about him?

She finished her milk and strode to the fridge for a refill. Jason and his friends could go to hell for all she cared. He obviously hung with some idiots if one of them pulled out a gun at a memorial service. And the only reason he’d reached out to her was because he was interested in Brooke, and she was Brooke’s best friend. Everyone knew you made nice with the best friend if you wanted to get in—

Her phone vibrated on the kitchen table, and she nearly slopped the milk she was pouring. She set down the carton and grabbed the phone, mixed emotions rolling through her. What did she owe this guy? Nothing.

IT’S POSSIBLE. I DID SOMETHING I WAS TOLD NOT TO. THEY PUNISH.

She swallowed hard. They? His parents? Did “punish” mean taking away his phone or using a belt on him? Part of her was cautious; he could be lying about everything.

I’M SORRY. I CAN’T HELP U. PLZ LET ME KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

She hit Send and sighed. Some people might think she was a crappy friend for not helping him out, but what could she do? She’d have to ask permission to use Katy’s old second car and then explain why she needed it. And she hardly knew Jason. Surely there was someone else he could ask.

“Katy is sound asleep.” Dr. Peres padded into the kitchen. She did a double take at Trinity’s expression. “Are you okay?”

“I think so. I have a friend who asked for something, but I really don’t know him that well… not at all, actually. I’d like to help if I could, but…” She didn’t know how to describe it.

The doctor studied her face. “You don’t know him? But he chose you to ask? Why you?”

Trinity squirmed. “I think he’s avoiding his parents. And the parents don’t know me.”

“You just answered your own question.” Dr. Peres topped off her coffee. “A friend doesn’t ask you to help him avoid his parents. He needs to face his parents.”

“But what if his parents are wrong? What if they’re mean?”

The doctor sat down, wrapped both hands around her mug, and her brown eyes softened as she held Trinity’s gaze. “Most parents have their kids’ best interests at heart. I’m sure it hasn’t always been that way for you, but you’ve seen the exceptions instead of the majority.”

“But… what if he’s truly scared they might hurt him?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Did your friend say that?”

“Not exactly.” Trinity looked away. Jason had been deliberately vague. Possibly he was trying to manipulate her. For all she knew, he just wanted a ride to the mall to meet his friends.

“What did he say?”

“He said they punish.”

Dr. Peres was silent for a long moment. “If he fears he is going to be hurt, he needs to go to the police. Or a school counselor. It’s wrong of him to ask you for help. It was probably the easiest of his choices of where to ask for help, but the least effective.”

Trinity studied the tabletop. She’d been scared of her real mother. But she’d never hit her or hurt her. Not physically. Emotionally and mentally, she’d been battered by both her mother and grandmother.

They’d neglected every aspect of raising a child. Even the most basic. Trinity qualified for the free lunch program at the school, but her mother never registered her. She had good friends who shared their lunches, believing they were sneaking it behind the teacher’s back. Sharing food wasn’t allowed.