Brenna

Three weeks later, and we reached the end of the spring semester. I felt like I’d been living my life on autopilot. I hung out with Christine. I laughed at her jokes. I did all the normal things that filled my life before Gunn walked back into it. But none of it was the same and no amount of pretending on my part could hide it.

Christine stood in the doorway holding the last of her boxes. This would be our last day living in the dorms. My living arrangements were up in the air for my senior year. Christine was leaving for her semester abroad in Prague.

“Can’t believe it,” she said. “Three years. It’s the end of an era, Brenn.” There were tears in her eyes. That was rare for her.

I went to her and threw my arms around her. “Don’t start. Better yet, don’t get me started.”

“What are you going to do without me?” She sniffled.

“Sleep well without your snoring. Have a clean bathroom. Any number of things.”

She laughed. “Bullshit. I hate to break it to you, but you’re the one who snores. I’m surprised your new man hasn’t thrown you over for it.”

The smile left my face. Christine never missed an opportunity to try and pump me for information about Gunn. Since I left the Wolf Den, we hadn’t seen each other. We texted, but I knew what Gunn was doing. He was keeping me at arm’s length. Whatever was going on with the club, it had heated up and he wouldn’t let me in.

“Come on,” I said. “I’ll help you carry your last box down to the car. You’ve got a long drive.”

“I wish you could figure out a way to come with me,” she said. “You know there’s still time for a late application.”

“I can’t afford it and you know it,” I said. “But don’t worry about me. I’ll still be here when you get back in January. We’ll figure it all out then.”

Christine’s father had rented a BMW for her to drive home. It was gorgeous with all the latest features, but it was damn impractical for hauling her boxes. I managed to cram the last one into her trunk and slammed it shut.

She was crying again when I rounded the car. I put my arms out and we hugged each other. “Take care of yourself,” I said. “Post lots of pictures. Fall in love with some dark and handsome Czech and come back with amazing stories.”

I envied her and I didn’t like that about myself. I more than anyone knew money wasn’t everything. Scotty had left me with enough to get my degree, but I would have given it all back in a second if I could have him back. Still, it was so easy for Christine. She was going to Prague because she wanted to. Finances weren’t even a blip in her mind. She was going to have the opportunity of a lifetime.

“That is the plan.” She popped the button on her car lock, making it beep. “I expect to hear all your amazing stories when I come back too. Just be careful. I’ve heard some rumors about things going down in town.”

“Oh?” This was the first time she’d even remotely mentioned anything specific about the club. The drive-by at Gunn’s bike shop made the local news. No one was talking, but you could feel the tension if you paid attention downtown. People were on edge. There’d been an editorial in the local paper two days ago about the last time the Great Wolves M.C. went to war in the early nineties.

“Don’t play dumb, Brenna. Just ... be careful. I don’t want to see you with a broken heart.”

“I’m fine,” I said. “Now get going. If I can swing it, I’ll try to get down to Cupertino at least once before you fly out.”

Her face brightened. “You have to. I mean it. We’ll have a blast. And it’ll give me one last chance to try and hide you in my suitcase. Oh, Brenna, we would own Prague! Will you please think about it? I’ve told you a million times, I’m pretty sure my dad can pull some strings.”

I put a hand up to silence her. She was right. We had been over this a million times. It was just out of the question. Assuming I could sort things out with my parents, I’d have just enough money left from Scotty’s insurance to cover my last year of tuition. Even then, the reality was I’d probably have to live at home to save enough money for after graduation. I couldn’t think much farther than that.

“Go,” I said. “Text me when you get home. No promises.”

“Good enough,” she said, hugging me one last time. I waved as Christine pulled away from the curb, scraping her tire rims as she did it. I cringed but kept my smile. Then it was time for me to load the last of my boxes and drive back home.

My mother was waiting in the kitchen for me when I got there. She had her usual wistful smile on her face as she sipped a glass of lemonade. Her gardening gloves rested on the table beside her. The instant she saw me, her face changed.

“You’re early,” she said. “I didn’t think I’d see you until this weekend.” There was something off about her tone. Her eyes flicked toward the screen door to the backyard.

“No,” I said. “I told you my last exam was Tuesday.”

“Oh. I swore I thought I had a couple more days. Your room’s not ready. If you want to maybe run to the store and grab something for us for dinner, I’ll get in there and clear out my crafting stuff.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “I’ll help you sort it. I got rid of a bunch of things last summer. It shouldn’t take long.”

“It would be easier if I did it. I’ll give you some money. I’ve got a list. I just need an hour.”

I was about to ask her why she was trying so hard to get rid of me when the answer cast a shadow across the back door. My father stood there with his hands on his hips. My mother rose and stumbled backward as he came inside. It put her in the direct glare of sunlight slanting in from the open window. I hadn’t picked up on it as she sat half in shadow, but now I could see the problem plainly. My mother had a fresh bruise on her cheek. She’d tried to cover it up with her heavy pancake makeup, but I knew those marks so well. She got them when my father backhanded her.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” I said, keeping my voice cool.

“No,” he said, sliding the door closed behind him. “You’re not supposed to be here until Saturday.”

“I live here, you don’t. And have you forgotten again that there’s a restraining order against you? If you just turn around and get out now, I won’t call the cops this time.”

My father’s cold smile turned my stomach.

“Tim, maybe you should go take a walk,” Mom said. “I’ll explain everything to Brenna.”

“Explain what?” It was useless to even ask the question. I knew the answer already. I’d heard this song so many times I could almost project my mother’s answers as if I were a ventriloquist.

“Tell her, Susie,” my father said. “Do it right in front of me. That way I can answer all her questions.”

“I don’t believe this,” I said, turning to my mother. “You had it revoked, didn’t you? You actually went to court and withdrew your order?”

“Now, that’s my business, honey. You don’t …”

I went to her. I was gentle with her, but I put a hand on her arm. “You have a bruise! I can see it. Don’t tell me you fell or that you walked into a door. I know how you get those.”

“This is my house.” My father’s voice roared through the kitchen. My mother flinched and backed away. She turned and busied herself opening cupboard doors and making lunch of some sort.

“It’s not your house,” I said. “You haven’t made a mortgage payment in years. They would have foreclosed on Mom a long time ago if Scotty hadn’t caught her up.” He’d done so much more than that. Scotty’s half-a-million-dollar life insurance policy had been enough to pay off the note, put me through college, and give my mother a healthy monthly stipend to live from.

“Your mother’s never been good with money,” Dad said. “But that’s not your business.”

“It’s my business when you mess with my tuition. Unbelievable. I cannot keep having this same argument with you. You need to leave. Right now. It doesn’t matter whether Mom did anything with that court order. The cops around here know you well enough to run you off. Now get your shit if you brought anything here, and get out.”

My father had never touched me. No. He saved that honor for Scotty and my mother. I always wondered what might have happened if Scotty hadn’t defended me. My dad was scared of him. He was scared of the club. But none of them were here right now. It was just us. I saw the change go through his eyes as he understood the same thing.

He was bigger than me. Stronger. He could hurt me if he wanted. It didn’t mean I wouldn’t put up a fight.

“You’ve got a smart mouth,” he said. “Your mother’s spoiled you your whole damn life. That ends now.”

“I’m twenty-one years old,” I said. “Not some little kid you can ground or intimidate. I’m not afraid of you. I’m not afraid of bullies. Mom, get your purse. If he won’t leave, you are. I’m not letting you stay in this house with him.”

“Brenna …”

My father took a step toward me. “You’re right. You’re not some little girl. But your free ride is over. I warned you.”

I laughed. He was out of his mind. Tim Rose had no power over me but with his fists if he chose to use them. Scotty may not be here anymore, but even now, he was taking care of me.

“You think you’re fancy with your college education? Well, forget it. Not another dime of my money goes to that.”

“Your money? What the hell are you talking about?”

“She’s come to her senses,” my father said.

“Brenna.” My mother tried to come between us. One hard look from my father and she froze. Just that one word. My name. Everything fell horrifyingly into place.

“You didn’t,” I whispered. “You couldn’t have. Scotty made sure …”

“It’s just simple paperwork,” my father said. “Susie knows she’s terrible with money. So she went to my lawyer and named me trustee. I control the purse strings now, sweetheart.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I was in the twilight zone. He was insane to think that money threats would keep me in line. I could get a loan. I could get a job. I could get a scholarship. But none of that was the point. It felt like he was pissing on my brother’s grave.

“No more,” I said. “I don’t know how you wormed your way back into Mom’s head. But it stops now.”

“You don’t know how?” my mother said. “Brenna ... you’re not thinking clearly. Daddy saw you. Half the people in town have told me about it. You won’t listen to me. You’re keeping company with that thug. You need help, honey.”

I stumbled backward. This wasn’t happening. My parents were both out of their minds.

“I’m done,” I screamed. “I cannot deal with this. Mom. He’s going to hurt you. He’s going to keep on hurting you. Scotty would be sick if he knew.”

“Scotty would be alive if he hadn’t joined in with that club!” Mom screamed.

I couldn’t hear it. Tears sprang to my eyes. I grabbed my purse off the table. I had no idea where I’d go, but it had to be far away from here.

My father was quicker. He grabbed my car keys before I could. Then he had a hold of my arm.

“You’ll show some respect for your mother and me,” he said. “You’re not too old to learn the hard way if that’s what it takes. Did wonders on your brother.”

He raised a hand. I flinched. My mother screamed at him to stop. I don’t know if he would have. I don’t know if he was just trying to scare me. But thunder came down and burst into the kitchen.

I hadn’t even heard the front door open. He’d moved so quickly and with the force of an avalanche. Gunn grabbed my father by the shoulders and shoved him back hard against the table. He stood between my father and me, nostrils flaring, fists clenched.

“You lay a hand on Brenna again, you won’t draw another breath.”

My father fell back, his eyes wild with fear. My mother started to cry. Gunn turned to me.

“Come on,” he said. “I’m getting you out of here. For good.”