My eyes widened in shock. Did she just call Ellie a whore? “What the fuck did you do to her?”
She glared at me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Her voice was slow. She was drunk out of her mind. I stood there as she went on. “That little whore was out all night sleeping around and then came back here to my house and caused a scene for the whole neighborhood to see. It was disgusting!”
I started for Ellie’s room, my mother following me.
“Shut up! What is wrong with you?” I shouted. “That’s your daughter you’re talking about. She’s leaving, Mom, and you’ll never see either one of us again. Do you understand me? That means no more money from me. No more help. My God, if I find out that you’ve been treating her this way the whole time I’ve been gone, you’ll be out on the streets! When I paid off this house, I made sure it was put in my name.”
Her eyes widened in fear.
“You’ll have nothing. Do you understand me? Nothing if you don’t get your goddamn shit together and sober up!”
I opened Ellie’s door and looked at Gunner and then Ellie. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, crying. Every ounce of air I had in my lungs rushed out in one breath. I hated that I had let this happen.
This was my fault.
Rushing over to her, I fell to my knees, and Ellie wrapped her arms around me. I saw Ari starting to pack up Ellie’s t
hings. When our eyes met, she simply gave me a weak smile and kept working on gathering Ellie’s things.
I got up and sat down next to Ellie on the bed. My heart felt like it had been ripped in half hearing my mother call Ellie names. “Shh, it’s going to be okay, honey. It’s all going to be okay.”
My eyes met Gunner’s, and I silently thanked him. He looked just as upset as I was. Thank God he was here with Ellie when she came home.
“Ellie, honey, you’ll stay at Ari’s house until we figure this all out. I need to run back and let them know I’m leaving, so Ari is going to take you to her house, okay?
I glanced over to Ari. She was holding Ellie’s suitcase and another small bag. She smiled at me, and my chest squeezed. I returned the smile and tried like hell to pull my eyes away from her.
Ellie’s voice pulled me out of my trance. “Um, sure, that’s fine, but can Gunner give me a ride to Ari’s? I need to talk to him.” Her eyes swung over to Gunner. “I mean, if that’s okay with you, Gunner?”
“Of course it’s all right, sweetheart. Anything for you.”
I stood and walked over to Ari while Gunner made his way over to Ellie. “Thank you, Ari.”
“Of course. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for Ellie.” She touched her lower lip before adding, “Or you.”
I swallowed hard. I knew she meant it. “The same goes for me, but you already know that.”
Her eyes lit up, and for a brief moment, I felt like something passed between us. Clearing my throat, I said, “I’ll go out first and talk to my mom while you and Gunner get her out of here.”
“O—okay,” she whispered.
I leaned down and kissed Ari on the cheek. “Thanks, Squirt.”
She pushed me lightly away and shook her head but wore the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen. My gaze fell to her lips, and I wanted nothing more than to kiss her.
Taking a step away, I nodded. “See ya later.”
I turned and walked out into the living room only to find my mother passed out on the sofa.
“Mom, what happened to you that made you like this?” I whispered as I took the blanket and put it over her. I quickly found a piece of paper and wrote her a note.
I took Ellie from the house. She doesn’t deserve to be treated this way. Mom, please get help. If you love me and Ellie at all, please get help.
Jeff
After shutting and locking the door, I made my way over to Gunner. He was waiting outside his truck, with Ellie already tucked safely in the passenger seat.