Secrets Unknown

Chapter 8

I walk into their house. It's like a mansion! Dang. Are these people rich? Miles must've seen my expression, because he smirks at me. "We are not rich. My mom's mom died, and we inherited her house."

I feel the heat in my cheeks rise. Idiot., "Oh, I'm sorry...and how did you know I was thinking that?"

Miles clears his throat, unable to look at me. "Um..your facial expression said it all."

I nod, kinda weirded out by his weird behavior.

Sawyer comes up to me, smiling. "I'll show you your new room if you'll follow me."

"Okay, thanks!"

He points to the staircase and gestures me to go first. As I am heading up the stairs, I can hear Sawyer and Miles faintly whispering.

"You can't just pop out on her like that." reprimands Sawyer.

"But, it was obviously clear that she thought that. What else was I supposed to do? Laugh? I'd still have to explain why I was laughing. I don't see what a difference it would make!"

I hear Sawyer sigh, "Okay. Sorry man. I'm just not used to this. I want her to feel welcome, you know? She's been through a lot, and I'd hate to complicate things here."

"I understand. Go up there. Show her to her room." Miles replies.

Uh-oh. If I don't move then he is sure to see me when he heads up the stairs. I hear him take his first step, and I'm frozen as he meets my gaze and stops in front of me.

"You alright?"

Act. Natural. "Uh, yeah! I was just waiting for you."

He smiles at me, "Nice save. I know you heard everything."

I smile, "In my defense, eavesdropping is my best quality. How do you think I survived my parents throughout all of these years without being dead right now?"

He narrows his eyes slightly, "What do you mean by that?"

I advert my gaze as I continue the story, "Whenever my parents were arguing or something, I could always hear how they were feeling and if they would bring it out on my brother and I."

"Oh. I'm very sorry. You have a brother?"

I smile, "Yep! Wesley. He's 17."

"Ah, okay. Soo.. Mason's age."

"Sure."

"Well, we are here to make your stay enjoyable. So, if you ever need anything, my room is down the hall to the right, Mason's room is down the hall next to mine on the right, Miles and Niall's is on the other side of the hall to the left."

I nod, knowing I can remember all of this. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Get settled in. Dinner is in an hour."

"Okay."

Sawyer turns to leave, but I grab his wrist. "Wait!"

He turns around and looks at me, concern is latching through his beautiful features. Tan skin. Beautiful blue eyes. Brown hair. Wait. What the heck am I saying? "What's wrong?"

I really do not want to be alone. I hate to admit this, but I'm scared of being alone. I've always had Wesley by my side. I know that if I go in my room alone, then I will be reminded of my dad's anger and rage, and my mom throwing a knife at me. I shudder, tears start to fall, I let go of Sawyer's wrist, and collapse onto the floor, crying my eyes out.

Sawyer kneels down beside me, and I can feel his arms wrap around me, tightly, making sure I was secure. He puts his chin on my head and whispers, "Shhhhh, I'm so sorry. We're here to protect you in every way we can. We won't let them hurt you. I promise. I won't let them hurt you."

I sniff, and lean into his embrace. "I'm so scared right now."

"I know you are... but we're here for you now. You don't have to do this alone. You and your brother don't have to do this alone. We've got your back."

"Why are you doing this?"

Sawyer sighs, "Because I don't like when selfish parents abuse their children like that and threaten to kill them. You have many scars and bruises from them, and it makes me want to hurt someone."

"But, you hardly even know me."

"I don't care. I will get to know you anyways."

I look at him and smile, I could get used to living here. We stand up, he wipes the tears off of my face. "You alright?"

I nod. He continues to speak, "Let's go eat. I'm sure you're starving."

I smile, "You read my mind."

He takes my hand and leads me down the staircase. I could get used to living here.