“Do you think we want your stupid business?” I yell. “We never wanted it. All we wanted was a father that showed us some love after we lost our mother.”

“I’ve done the best I can.”

“No you haven’t,” I’m screaming so loud my voice hurts. “You didn’t even try. I used to cry myself to sleep and I would hear you walk past, but you didn’t even stop. You couldn’t show me any comfort. Money and work is all you’ve ever cared about and all you ever will care about. Take it all, I don’t want it. I don’t want any of it.”

I turn and run out of the room, shoving past anyone that gets in my way. The moment I reach my car, I get in, tears streaming down my face as I screech off down the driveway. The gate opens for me, that doesn’t surprise me. He doesn’t want me here, he never did. I’ve never been more than an easy way for him to set up his business.

“I wish you were here, momma,” I croak. “I miss you.”

I drive straight to the studio, needing the only people I have left. I get out of the car and run inside. Maggie is standing at the lockers, pulling out her shoes for todays lesson. She hears the door slam and turns to me, her face becoming immediately worried.

“Avery, honey,” she says, dropping the shoes and walking over. “What’s wrong?”

“I made a mistake,” I sob, crumbling to my knees. “It’s all ruined, Maggie. All ruined.”

“Hush now, child. Tell me what’s got you so broken?”

I hiccup. I can’t tell her about Nate, I can’t face her if she tells me how disappointed she is in me. I understand it. I know what kind of person I am. I don’t need a reminder of that.

“My father just disowned me,” I whisper instead, my body shaking with emotion.

“Oh honey, no,” she soothes, stroking my hair.

“I’ve got nothing left.”

“No,” she says, holding me closer. “You do have something, you have us, Avery.”

Is that enough?

~*~*~*~

NATE

“Just tell me how she is,” I growl.

“Fuck off, Nate. You shouldn’t be here and you know it,” Kelly says, glaring at me.

“I’m not here with her, I just want to know. Fuckin’ hell, Kelly. Just tell me.”

“She’s fucked up,” he barks, stepping forward and shoving my chest. “All because you’re a selfish son-of-a-bitch and you don’t fuckin’ deserve her.”

“Push me again,” I hiss. “See what happens.”

He shoves my chest hard and I lose it. I charge forward, raising my fist and bringing it down over his jaw. He bellows in pain, taking two steps backwards. His eyes grow wild and he lunges at me, knocking me backwards down the stairs. His fist connects with my eye, and pain radiates through my head. I roll on top of him, lifting my fist and bringing it down over and over, slamming into his face.

“Whoa, fuck.”

Suddenly I’m being jerked off him. I feel strong arms around my shoulders and I know it’s my brother.

“What the hell is goin’ on?” he barks.

“That fucker,” Kelly growls, getting to his knees, “is fucking Avery.”

“Was,” I bark. “I fuckin’ was.”

“You’re married,” Keanu says, his voice low and deadly.

“I fuckin’ know, now let me go.”

He lets me go and I spin around, glaring at him. He takes me in, letting his eyes travel over me.

“You’re drunk.”

No shit.

“Fuck you, Keanu.”

“You deserve everything you get,” Kelly yells, clenching his fists. He’s got blood running from his lip. His eyes are darkening with bruises and he’s got droplets of blood coming from his nose.

“You don’t think I know that?” I roar. “I love her, Kelly. It wasn’t just some cheap, easy fuck. I fuckin’ love her.”

His body jerks at this and he growls out, “She ain’t yours to love. You have a wife. Go love her.”

“Fuck you,” I bark.

“Enough!” Keanu growls. “Kelly, go inside.”

Kelly gets to his feet and scowls at me before turning and storming inside. Keanu turns to me and his eyes are hard.

“You fucked up, little bro.”

If only he knew just how much.

CHAPTER 30

AVERY

“What happened to your face?” I gasp, staring at Kelly.

“Nate happened.”

Just the mention of Nate’s voice has my entire body coiling into itself with agony. My heart hurts all day, every day. There is no break. No time for me to just forget. I don’t know if I’ll ever forget.

“N-N-Nate did that?”

“It doesn’t matter, Av,” he says, reaching out and touching my cheek. “It’s not for you to worry about.”

I look away.

“You haven’t eaten,” he says, moving his hand to my shoulder. “Shit, Avery, how long has it been?”

“About three days.”

“Fuck, sit down. You need to eat.”

I shake my head. “I’m trying, Kelly, but I can’t keep it down.”

“You’ll kill yourself.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Suddenly his hands are pressed against my face and his expression is frantic. “Don’t you say that. Don’t you ever fuckin’ say that.”