right. Randy didn’t deserve to have any power over me. I had to show him that I wouldn’t be weak. I would break him. I would be more than happy to see him behind bars. It was time he met the Lily I vowed to become, and Tanner had given me the inner strength I needed to become her.
I lifted my head, squared my shoulders, and uncoiled my hands from my lap.
When the doors opened and the bailiff led Randy in, I locked eyes with him. I refused to look away, even when his lip curled into an evil smile. Instead, I narrowed my eyes and offered a disgusted glare in return.
***
“I’m proud of you,” Bree whispered as she hugged me. We were standing just outside the courtroom after the hearing. It was hard getting up on that stand and describing my attack. At times my voiced cracked, but then I would look to Tanner for strength. He never looked away from me. He was there, offering me a nod every time I needed encouragement to continue.
I never knew just how important he had become in my life until today. The realization was both scary and enlightening. It terrified me because I knew Tanner was not the kind of guy who committed to just one person. And I wasn’t the kind of girl who was okay with sharing him with any other woman.
He stood back while everyone hugged me and told me how well I had done. After the last person stepped away, he grinned and stepped closer. “You were pretty badass in there,” he said. “I told you that you’re strong.”
“Your words helped,” I replied. “Thank you for that. I’m not sure I would have been able to get through today without them.”
“There you go doubting yourself again.” He took my hand in his and threaded our fingers together. “I just gave you a little push. You did the rest.”
Silence filled the air between us as I looked down at our hands.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
Closing my eyes tightly, I took in a deep breath. “I’ve missed you too,” I confessed.
I had missed our time together, our talks, and the fun we’d shared. A friendship had developed between us, and I had grown used to having him around.
As I stepped back from the hug, I realized hiding my feelings for Tanner was a mistake. He was so much more than I had ever thought he could be.
“Can we go somewhere?” he asked. “There’s something I would love to show you.” I looked up and met his hopeful gaze. “I haven’t shown anyone else because I wanted you to be the first person to see,” he explained
I nodded, and he led me toward the exit as we waved good-bye to everyone.
In the courtroom today, I learned information I hadn’t known. Randy was not only charged with aggravated assault and attempted rape, he had also been stalking another college student, who gave her testimony today. We would now both sleep better knowing we were free of him and the fear he instilled in us. I felt lighter, like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I could breathe again. It finally felt like things were going to be okay.
Hand in hand, Tanner led me to his Tahoe and helped me into the passenger seat. The smell of his cologne hung heavy in the air as he shut the door and walked around the front. I closed my eyes for a moment and appreciated his scent.
Our eyes met as he climbed up into the SUV and placed his key in the ignition. “You ready?” he asked.
I smiled, nodding in return. “Yes, I’m ready.”
Those words had another meaning to them. I was ready to move forward, to stop being afraid. I wanted to live again.
Chapter Fourteen
Tanner
Today was one of the hardest days I had ever experienced. Sitting calmly in that courtroom while Lily relived her nightmare was a test of my restraint. More times than I could count, I wanted to jump over the half wall that separated Randy and me and beat him senseless. I know I wasn’t the only one; each one of my brothers, even Zander, who in my eyes was my brother
I lifted my head, squared my shoulders, and uncoiled my hands from my lap.
When the doors opened and the bailiff led Randy in, I locked eyes with him. I refused to look away, even when his lip curled into an evil smile. Instead, I narrowed my eyes and offered a disgusted glare in return.
***
“I’m proud of you,” Bree whispered as she hugged me. We were standing just outside the courtroom after the hearing. It was hard getting up on that stand and describing my attack. At times my voiced cracked, but then I would look to Tanner for strength. He never looked away from me. He was there, offering me a nod every time I needed encouragement to continue.
I never knew just how important he had become in my life until today. The realization was both scary and enlightening. It terrified me because I knew Tanner was not the kind of guy who committed to just one person. And I wasn’t the kind of girl who was okay with sharing him with any other woman.
He stood back while everyone hugged me and told me how well I had done. After the last person stepped away, he grinned and stepped closer. “You were pretty badass in there,” he said. “I told you that you’re strong.”
“Your words helped,” I replied. “Thank you for that. I’m not sure I would have been able to get through today without them.”
“There you go doubting yourself again.” He took my hand in his and threaded our fingers together. “I just gave you a little push. You did the rest.”
Silence filled the air between us as I looked down at our hands.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
Closing my eyes tightly, I took in a deep breath. “I’ve missed you too,” I confessed.
I had missed our time together, our talks, and the fun we’d shared. A friendship had developed between us, and I had grown used to having him around.
As I stepped back from the hug, I realized hiding my feelings for Tanner was a mistake. He was so much more than I had ever thought he could be.
“Can we go somewhere?” he asked. “There’s something I would love to show you.” I looked up and met his hopeful gaze. “I haven’t shown anyone else because I wanted you to be the first person to see,” he explained
I nodded, and he led me toward the exit as we waved good-bye to everyone.
In the courtroom today, I learned information I hadn’t known. Randy was not only charged with aggravated assault and attempted rape, he had also been stalking another college student, who gave her testimony today. We would now both sleep better knowing we were free of him and the fear he instilled in us. I felt lighter, like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I could breathe again. It finally felt like things were going to be okay.
Hand in hand, Tanner led me to his Tahoe and helped me into the passenger seat. The smell of his cologne hung heavy in the air as he shut the door and walked around the front. I closed my eyes for a moment and appreciated his scent.
Our eyes met as he climbed up into the SUV and placed his key in the ignition. “You ready?” he asked.
I smiled, nodding in return. “Yes, I’m ready.”
Those words had another meaning to them. I was ready to move forward, to stop being afraid. I wanted to live again.
Chapter Fourteen
Tanner
Today was one of the hardest days I had ever experienced. Sitting calmly in that courtroom while Lily relived her nightmare was a test of my restraint. More times than I could count, I wanted to jump over the half wall that separated Randy and me and beat him senseless. I know I wasn’t the only one; each one of my brothers, even Zander, who in my eyes was my brother
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