“Did your Dad hit you too, Sophie?”

“No. Only Blaine. My Dad was all verbal abuse, years and years of it. Not that it makes it any better.”

Cara leans over and hugs me tightly. “Sophie, I’m so sorry. You’re worth so much more than the way they treated you. You have to believe that.”

“I’d like to believe I’m worthy of someone’s love, Cara. But the two guys I’ve looked up to both let me down. My Dad never loved me and made it very clear he didn’t want me. Blaine was only pretending to be in love with me in order to get what he wanted physically. And once he did, he turned into a monster. I never saw it coming either, so it hurt even more. Especially after he knew what I was dealing with at home.”

“He’s an ass, Sophie. I hate him. Why would he do that to you?”

“I have no idea, but maybe that’s why he picked me. He knew how fucked up I already was.”

“How did it end?”

I manically laugh. “Gymnastics of all places. It’s saved my life on so many levels. My coach noticed bruises on my arms and legs. There’s not much you can hide in a leotard. But all it took was one call to the authorities and it was over. One call, Cara, that I didn’t have the nerve to make myself.”

“None of it is your fault, Sophie. Please believe that. You’re a survivor, a fighter.”

“Pizza time, ladies!” Drew announces before he’s even fully into the room. “Oh, did I interrupt?”

Cara releases me from her embrace, winking at me while doing so. She’s up to something.

“You did, but we’re willing to let you in on it if you shut the door,” she playfully tells him. His eyes gleam with excitement. He leans against the door, shutting it with his body instead of his hands. His eyes haven’t strayed from Cara’s once. “Good boy.”

Drew shakes his head yes and waits for his next command. “Kiss me, Drew.” Without a second thought, he walks over to her and picks her up. She straddles his waist with her legs and spins around to pin her up against the closet door. As much as I’m wondering how long she’s going to let this charade play out, I clear my throat to remind them I’m still sitting here. Cara giggles and lets her legs fall from his waist to the floor. “I’m sorry, Sophie. How could we leave you out? Drew, I want you to kiss Sophie now.”

Frozen in place, he hesitates to move. Briefly, he looks at me before turning his attention back to Cara. It takes all I have not to bust out laughing. Cara cuddles up to his side and runs her hands under his shirt. “Don’t you want to make us both happy, Drew?”

“Um. Uh. But doesn’t she have Kipton? I mean I don’t want to get my ass kicked. He already found me with you, Cara. What if he shows up and sees the three of us?”

“So you don’t want to play?” Cara whines like a spoiled child who isn’t about to get her way. She’s a fabulous actress. I’ll give her that.

“I was just hoping for pizza, but I’m down with whatever will make you happy.”

Cara can’t hold a straight face any longer and snorts. “Good answer.” She jumps into his arms again and kisses him senseless. He responds with a deep moan to which I ignore and grab my purse.

I clutch the straps in my hand and smack it against Drew’s back to hurry them along. “Let’s get some pizza, guys. You can have your tryst afterwards.”

Drew looks somewhat disappointed although relieved. “You two are evil. But if you can promise I won’t get my ass beat, I’m still game.”

“We’ll keep that in mind for a rainy day,” I assure him.

“Hell yeah!” It doesn’t take much to excite him.

“Go grab an elevator, babe. We’ll catch up, okay?” Cara kisses him one last time and sends him on his way while I lock up. She waits until I’m finished before speaking. “I want you to know you’re not fucked up, Sophie. You’re the most beautiful, selfless person I’ve ever met. I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but I mean it. You were dealt a shitty hand so far, but it can only get better. Give my brother a real shot. Let love in, Sophie. I promise you won’t regret it this time.”

I give her a hug, appreciative of her heartfelt words. “I’ll try my best, Cara. Thanks for listening. I didn’t mean to drown you with all the heavy stuff today.”

“You drown me any day of the week. I’m here. Always.”

“Thanks, Cara.”

I’d love to believe Kipton is different because I’m not sure I can handle it if he’s not. Casual with him will work. It’s the serious I’m afraid of because I won’t survive another failure. My heart can only be broken so many times before it turns to dust.

I ARRIVE AT JOHNSON HALL early, hoping the talk with Drew is quick so I don’t have to waste any more time before seeing Sophie. Not even bothering to wait the few seconds for the elevator, I take the stairs to the third floor. As I exit the stairwell, I catch a glimpse of Sophie walking toward her room. Cara and Drew playfully punch each other as they walk in the opposite direction toward his room. Hopefully they’ll be fully clothed by the time I get there. After the walk by sexing, I don’t think I can handle much more.

Before I can catch up to Sophie, she stops in the bathroom. Knowing I won’t be able to concentrate on a word Drew says if I don’t see her first, I anxiously wait for her in the hallway. I take out my phone, going through some texts but only bothering to respond to the important ones. A few more minutes pass before I hear the sound of someone gagging painfully. Worried it’s Sophie, I sneak inside to check on her. Knocking on the door softly so I don’t scare her, I wait for her to speak. But she doesn’t. “Sophie, are you okay?”

There’s no response other than another round of gagging and vomiting. “Sophie? Can you answer me so I know you’re okay.”

Through labored breaths, she finally responds to me. “Leave me alone. I’m okay”

Her tone is harsher than normal, but there’s still no way I’m leaving her. “Open the door, beautiful.”

“Can you go wait for me in my room, please? Here.” Without bothering to wait for my response, her keys sail over the top of the stall door landing on the tile floor instead of in my hand. When I bend down to pick them up, I spot her crouched in the corner by the toilet. Her right hand’s dangling by her side, trembling ever so slightly. The left is cradling her forehead.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Something’s wrong and I don’t like it.

I hear her sniffle and I can’t fucking take it. Placing my hand on top of the metal stall door, I yank it open in one swift motion, dislodging the small silver lock from its anchor. In shock, Sophie screams and covers her head with her hands. “Kipton! I said I’m fine. You can’t be in here!”

I crouch down to her level. “You don’t look fine, Sophie. You’re shaking.”

“It’s just my stomach. I promise it’s not a big deal.”

“Did you eat dinner?” I rub my thumb back and forth over the top of her hand.

She nods her head, yes. “We went for pizza.”

“Come on, I’ll walk you to your room. Unless you want me to take you to see a doctor.” I stand up, reaching out my hand for her to take, but she doesn’t move from her crouched position.

“I’m fine. Please go. I don’t want you see me like this. Don’t you have a meeting with Drew?”

“Sophie, I don’t want to leave you by yourself. Drew can wait.” She flushes the toilet and brushes past me. As she’s washing her hands, I walk up behind her pushing her silky hair away from the back of her neck. I lean down to place a small kiss behind her ear, but she tenses up and shrugs away from my touch. “Sophie. Don’t do this.”

“Do what? Wash my hands?” She reaches over and tears a paper towel from the roll. Drying her hands quickly, she tosses the paper in the trash before walking out on me.