Chapter Three

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I drive him to my parents' house and immediately take him to the bathroom Archer and I shared our entire lives. I run a washcloth under warm water before instructing him to sit on the toilet and I kneel in front of him, gently washing away the dried blood that had crusted around his nose and down his face. "I'm really sorry he hit you." I whisper, focusing on the task to avoid looking him in the eye.

"Why are you doing this?" He asks, ignoring my apology.

"Did you want to walk around for the rest of your day with blood covering your face?"

"I've missed that smart mouth of yours." He says with a wink.

"Somehow I doubt that."

"It's true. I did miss you Bentley."

"Then why did you let me leave? You, of all people, know the type of man your father is. Why was it so hard for you to believe me?"

"Because believing you meant that he was capable of doing something horrible. And if he's able to do that, what hope do I have for being a decent person?"

"The past couple of years aside, you've always been a decent person Ransom."

"You obviously haven't talked to Walt in a while."

"Can't say I have, thank God! And he's really not in any position to talk."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He asks.

"One of the last times I was at your grandpa's house I caught him in a rather compromising position with a maid."

"Not Fran!"

"No, god no! No! Ugh, now I have that in my head. Thanks. No, it was a younger one that Harlan had hired to assist Fran. Needless to say, I don't think she lasted too long after that."

"Oh my gosh! Gross! But also, I'm pretty sure you just made my afternoon." We were laughing, like the years hadn't pulled us further apart, when the bathroom door burst open revealing Archer.

"Seriously?" He asks.

"Fuck off Archer. Your particular brand of annoying is unwanted right now."

"How can you be helping him?"

"Because he shouldn't have to walk around with blood on his face for the rest of the day just because you can't control your temper."

"But he doesn't believe you. He's been horrible."

"Can you keep your voice down! The parental units don't know and I'd rather they not find out."

"Why not?" They ask in unison.

"Because dad is sick enough as it is. If I tell him that his oldest friend raped his daughter while he's fighting for his life, it might kill him quicker. Richard already took enough from me. I won't have him taking the last couple months I have left with my dad." They both huffed at this but let it drop and Archer left, leaving Ransom and I alone again.

"So where does that leave us?" I ask him.

"It leaves me owing you a rather large apology." I just sit there, wide-eyed, waiting for him to continue.

"I am so sorry Bentley. I should've believed you. Because you're right, besides the fact that I know you better than I know anyone including myself, I also know what kind of man he is. Can we please start over?"

"Start over how? You're right, we know each other too well to be able to start over as strangers."

"Will you let me take you on a date?" I sat and contemplated this. I love Ransom, I don't think I ever stopped. But this situation, my being home, wasn't permanent. As much as it hurt, eventually my dad was going to pass from this and I would have to go back to work, wherever that would lead me. Would I be able to let him go again?

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