SCARRED - Part 4 (The SCARRED Series - Book 4) by Kylie Walker Page B

at the table and there was a few moments of awkward silence before Samantha finally spoke.
    “We would love to know more about you, Chloe. Anything you feel comfortable telling us. Derek told us that you grew up in New York. Do you still see your... parents?”
    Samantha seemed to have a hard time spitting out that word. Chloe thought about how hard it would be for her if she knew the truth.
    “No,” Chloe said, honestly. “I haven’t seen them in about six years.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” Samantha said.
    “It’s okay,” Chloe told her, “It’s better that way, trust me.”
    Trevor looked concerned right away and said, “Why is that, Chloe? Did you have a falling out with them?”
    She looked at Derek and she could almost visualize his protective instinct rising up as he said, “It’s not really something she likes to talk about.”
    Chloe’s heart warmed once again. She smiled at Derek and then to her parents she said, “Maybe someday I’ll feel more comfortable sharing it with you. But today is a good day. What I have to say about my adoptive parents and my childhood is not good. I was abused, but that’s all I’m really comfortable saying right now. I hope you don’t mind.”
    “Of course not,” Trevor and Samantha both said, almost simultaneously.
    Chloe could see the anger on Trevor’s face and the anguish in Samantha’s at only the suggestion of it. She was once again touched by how much they truly cared about her.
    “What about your life now, Chloe? We don’t know anything. What are your interests? What makes you happy?”
    “Honestly,” Chloe said, “I’m just beginning to figure all of that out. I do know that I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I loved school growing up, and I loved my classes more so where I had teachers who were enthusiastic about being there. That’s the kind of teacher I want to be. I want my kids to want to come to school and I want them to want to learn. I want to be the adult they can trust if it seems like they can’t trust anyone else.”
    She became passionate when she talked about it. It was something she had wanted to do for so long. Even when she was a little girl she’d wanted to teach. She always felt safe at school and she was sure that had a lot to do with it.
    “Derek told us that you live right on the beach. I’ll bet that’s lovely,” Samantha said.
    Chloe glanced at Trevor. He still looked angry but when he saw her look at him he smiled and tried to hide it.
    “Yes,” she said, “It’s really nice. My friend owns the condo. She rented it to me and my roommate, Lexi. It is literally on the beach. I never knew how much I loved the ocean and how calming it could be until recently. But, I have to admit that while I was out walking, I noticed the difference here. It’s peaceful and quiet. The beach is just peaceful...it’s rarely quiet.”
    “Yes, we enjoy the quiet out here,” Samantha said. “Trevor and I both grew up in the city, and we spend a lot of time there for work and social functions. It’s always nice to come back to our quiet little safe haven.”
    “Did you take dance classes or play any sports when you were younger?” Trevor asked her.
    “No, I didn’t really do anything when I was a kid, except go to school.”
    Again Trevor looked like he wanted to punch something. Samantha looked sad. She seemed to notice her husband’s building anger.
    “Trevor and I were invited to have drinks and appetizers this evening with the mayor and his wife in the city. There’s a really nice new restaurant. It’s a Mediterranean Bistro. We would really like it if the two of you would join us?”
    Chloe looked at Derek and he said, “It’s entirely up to you.”
    “I only hesitate because I’m not sure what I brought to wear,” Chloe said with a smile. “I was so nervous about all of this that I may have forgotten anything other than my jeans.”
    “Well, if you don’t have anything with you, I wouldn’t mind if you