I hadn’t gained consciousness until we reached the hospital. Everything was pretty much a blur. If it wasn’t for our phone call to the police, Emily might have been looking at dangerous driving charges.

  Mum and Dad turned up as the police were questioning me, but I had been so high on pain meds, I don’t remember much of it. I do remember arguing with my dad about staying in, but I didn’t want to be there. I couldn’t. Hospitals hold too many bad memories for me and I just wanted to get out of there. He tried to compromise and demand I stay with him and Mum, but after arguing for what felt like hours, I agreed to let my mum stay the night with me. I just couldn’t leave Katnip on her own. The vicious fur ball might not like me much, but I love her like a child, whether she likes it or not.

  “She would have been all alone,” I sob out as I hear keys clanging together. “Just like Emily will be now Betty is gone.”

  We walk inside, and he steers to the right, heading into the living room. He places me gently down on the grey, plush sofa.

  “No. You know whoever was in it managed to get out. They are looking at neighbouring towns to see if they can pick up anything on their CCTV. And I’ve got no idea who the fuck Betty is.”

  “Stop being mad,” I demand, running my thumb over the crease on the bridge of his nose. I giggle when his frown deepens. “So moody.”

  Mum sniffles and steps back. “I’m going to make you a drink and something to eat.”

  “I’m not hungry,” I groan, the room spinning around me.

  Dad takes a seat next to me, covering me with the blanket. “I’m so angry with you right now. You should have told us about the notes and about going there today.”

  “I didn’t know we were going to be chased. And I told Mum on Monday.”

  He turns to my mum, who pauses at the door. “I didn’t know about this note.”

  He sighs, turning back to me. “You’re taking years off my life, Charlie.”

  I burst into tears. “I’m sorry, Dad. I really am. I just wanted to make it better.”

  “Make what better?”

  “All of it. I wanted to prove I’m not a disappointment, that I could handle myself,” I explain, ducking my head. I can’t say what I want to without giving so much away. But Drew is the reason I want justice. He made me see that what happened wasn’t normal or okay. It wasn’t just a bad case of sex with Scott.

  Sex with Drew really changed my life. My eyes widen as a smile spreads across my face.

  It was really good sex.

  “Charlotte, you are never a disappointment. We aren’t disappointed or angry. You’re a grown woman who is capable of making her own choices. We were angry on your behalf, devastated that this happened to our loving, caring daughter.”

  “I’m scared that he’s out there and none of us know where. We don’t even know if Scott’s his real name.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us this?” he asks, his voice gentle.

  I’m not sure why I’m telling them now. “Because I didn’t want you to worry.”

  I already told them about our visit with April and about her sister. I even told them about Marlene. They aren’t happy I kept it from them at all.

  Mum sniffles as she walks back inside, dropping a sandwich and a drink on the table. “I told you not to go today. I said it was a bad idea.”

  “We were visiting a friend. I know you want to protect me but none of us could have predicted what happened.”

  “I’m sorry,” Mum whispers. “I was just so scared when we received the phone call.”

  I force a smile. “It’s okay.”

  Before Dad can go into it again, there’s banging at the front door. Dad gets up. “From that bang, it can only be one person.”

  I nod, cuddling into the fluffy pink pillow Mum hands me. I beam wide, stretching the bruise across my cheek. Ouch. “It’s my favourite person. Landon.”

  Mum comes to sit on the edge of the table in front of me. “You need to try and eat something.”

  “I think we should go out and eat.”

  “Honey, you need to rest. Eat the sandwich.”

  I pout. “I think I feel sick.”

  She chuckles as she tucks the blanket around me. “At least try.”

  Landon barges into the front room, sweat beading at his forehead. I wave, giving him a lopsided grin. “Did you run here?”

  “Why did you not say anything?” he asks, pacing back and forth. “You knew I was looking for him.”

  “I wasn’t looking for him,” I reply, getting dizzy. “We don’t even know this was him.”

  “Of course it was him,” he yells, causing my temples to pulse. He grimaces at my wince. “Sorry.”

  Hayden walks in and following behind is pretty much my entire family, including my brother. Jacob’s eyes widen at the sight of me. “Fucking hell.”

  “Language,” Mum scolds.

  “You guys,” I cry out. “I love you guys.”

  Hayden eyes her brother. “You better not be giving her shit,” she warns.

  He spins to face her, glaring. “This fucking sicko has been hurting her and you expect me to wish her well and a speedy recovery? Fuck that shit!”

  I giggle, turning to Mum. “He swore.”

  Hayden, used to this, rolls her eyes. “And what are you going to achieve by acting like this? Do you think you’ll find him quicker if you treat her like shit?”

  “He’s not treating me like shit,” I interrupt. “He’s taking me to Disneyland.”

  “Not now,” they both warn me.

  Hayden pauses, eyeing her brother. “You’re taking her to Disneyland? Is that wise after what happened the last time?”

  “I’m not taking her to fucking Disneyland,” he argues. “And what do you suggest I do? I’ve been searching everywhere for any leads on this guy and have found none and now she’s hurt yet again because of him.”

  My lip trembles. “Why won’t anyone take me to Disneyland?”

  “Honey,” Mum soothes.

  What he said registers. “We don’t know this was Scott,” I declare.

  “Not now,” Jacob tells me. “I wouldn’t mind knowing why you didn’t call me.”

  I tap my chin. “There wasn’t enough room in the car for one, and I didn’t think you’d appreciate hanging out with four hot women.”

  He looks at me like I’ve pissed in his shoe. “I’m male. And I heard they are dancers. Why wouldn’t I want to hang out with them?”

  “Well, next time I have a girl’s night in, I’ll remember to invite you,” I offer, smiling. It’s been a long time since we hung out. “We could even give you a facemask. Men get them all the time.”

  Aiden snorts. “Dude!”

  Jacob doesn’t bother to hide his grimace. “Yeah, I’m good, but anything to do with this and I want to be there.”

  “You don’t want to hang out with me?”

  His mouth gapes open and he looks to the others. “Um, we’re hanging out now?”

  I lean up, patting his cheek. “Yes, yes we are.” When I notice everyone staring, I exhale. “I didn’t ask for this to happen.”

  “But you should have told us what was going on,” Landon yells.

  “Don’t yell at her,” Hayden snaps.

  “I’m going to fucking kill him,” he growls, stepping back. “I’m going to find the cupcakes that are meant to be the shit.”

  “They were so good,” Mum compliments.

  “So good,” I sing, leaning back against the cushions. “Maybe I should make more.”

  Mum gently pushes me back down. “Rest.”

  Max, who has been quiet until now, shoves his son into the door before racing out of the room.

  “My cupcakes,” he argues.

  Hayden sits down next to Mum while she fills in the rest of the family on what happened. I’m still surprised everyone fits into my small front room.

  “Next time, invite me. I’m your girl, remember. I’ve got you. And I’ll totally cut his dick off and feed it to him.”

  I force a timid smile. “You say the nicest things to me. I want to be more like you,” I gush.

  “Maybe keep being like you,” she warns. “Just less accidents.”

  “I nearly died,” I tell her, tears falling down my cheeks. “I have so much to do. So much.”

  “Like what?” Madison asks.

  “Go to a nudist beach for starters.”

  Madison ducks her head. “Maybe make a new list.”

  “Seriously though, who do we have to kill? I was speaking to Madison on the way over here and she said she doesn’t think the notes and flowers are from a man,” Hayden blurts out.

  I fiddle with the edge of the blanket. “I’m not so sure after the last note. Some things just point to him.” I quickly run by everything she’s missing or missed Mum explain to the others and by the time I’m finished, her eyes are wide as saucers.

  “I’ll fucking kill him.”

  “These are not fucking good,” Max cries, holding up my new batch of muffins. I made them yesterday, feeling in the mood, but they don’t have the same taste, so I tried to make the cupcakes again, but again, they aren’t the same. And came out burnt.

  Dad comes in cradling his stomach. “I feel a bit sick!”

  “Why eat them then?” Jacob asks, arching an eyebrow at Dad.

  Dad points to Uncle Max, who has collapsed by the door, breathing heavily. “Talk to that fucker who rammed a dozen in his trap.”

  I sniffle. “I’m sorry,” I cry. “Would Disneyland make it better because we can go.” I turn to Mum, my eyes widening. “Or we could go and see those swans we spotted on the way home.”

  “Maybe another day,” Mum whispers.

  Uncle Max turns to Mum, his eyes narrowed into slits. “Why did you lie to me, woman?”

  “I didn’t lie,” Mum tells him, but there’s no hiding the amusement in her tone.

  I glance behind Aiden, who’s standing in the doorway, trying to find Landon. When I don’t see him, I turn back to Hayden. “I think he’s mad at me. Do you think he’s mad at me? I mean, he could be mad at me.” My shoulders shake as silent sobs rake through my body. “I think Disneyland would make it better.”

  “He’s mad because he can’t control the situation, not because he’s mad at you.”

  “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

  “Stop crying. You know I don’t do crying,” she warns.

  I sniffle, my vision already blurred with tears. “I can’t help it. I’m just really sorry for worrying everyone.”

  “Fuck everyone else. Just do you,” she tells me. “And we know you didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

  “We’re just worried about you,” Lily explains, sitting down on the pouffe beside me. Her soft touch causes another wave of tears. “You’re so kind-hearted.”

  “And we want it to stay that way,” Mum explains softly. “You have a lot of people who love you, sweetie, and we want to protect you.”

  “I know,” I whisper brokenly, shoving the blanket away. “I need to speak with him.”

  “You need to rest. Your knee is badly bruised and I’m not going to comment on your ribs.”

  I sit up, ignoring her protests. “It’s just for a minute.”

  “Let her,” Dad tells Mum. “Maybe he can talk some sense into her staying with us until they find this guy.”

  “Dad,” I warn, holding onto him when he helps me to my feet. I grit my teeth, breathing through the pain in my leg and chest.

  He lifts me easily, carrying me out of the room. I slap his shoulder. “Giddy-up.”

  We barely get a step outside when I hear Hayden asking about when they are doing a manhunt on ‘the fucker’. Her words.

  Dad snorts. “Max has his hands full with that one.”

  “What did he have in his hands?” I ask, my brows pulling together. When Dad ignores me, I press a kiss to his cheek. “I really am sorry.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for. Just don’t keep stuff from us again. You were lucky today. Next time it might be different.”

  Everything he said is right. I’m just not going to hold back in life to suit other people. Why should it be the women who feel the need to be careful? Why not teach others to be kind instead?

  Landon is pacing the kitchen when we enter. His eyes widen when he sees Dad carrying me. “Charlie, you need to be resting.”

  “I don’t want you to be mad at me,” I tell him as Dad puts me down on the stool.

  “I’ll give you a minute,” Dad announces, stepping out of the kitchen.

  Landon slowly approaches. “Do you know why you’re my favourite?”

  “Because I bake you treats?”

  His nose scrunches up. “No.”

  “Then why?”

  He takes a seat next to me. “Because you see the world differently than the others. Even Lily, with all her goodness and kindness, isn’t blind to the real world. With you, everything is glitter and rainbows. Fuck, you have kitten coasters and fairy lights everywhere in your house.”

  I giggle, leaning forward. “I really like colours.”

  He nods. “I know. And just like the glitter and pretty colours and lights around you, you also fill your life with people who bring you the same. You made friends with strippers. And do you know how?”

  I try to think back, but I can’t recall the moment. “No.”

  “Because you complimented Harriet’s gold, glitter thong,” he reminds me. “Hell, you chose a psychotic cat over the cute white one because he went for your glitter globe keyring.”

  “I’m not sure I understand where you are going with this,” I mutter, a little defensive over the Katnip comment.

  “My point is, I hate seeing that colour in your life dim. It was worse when you were with Scott, and it was non-existent after he hurt you, but day by day, you’re becoming more like yourself. I’m worried that the next time something happens, we won’t get you back, and Charlotte, the world is a brighter place with you in it.”

  I burst into tears, and drop forward, wrapping my arms around his chest. “You say the sweetest things.”

  “I do fucking not,” he snaps.

  I tap his nose, my smile watery. “You do. You like that I see colour. So cute.”

  “That’s not why you’re my favourite. It’s only one of the reasons. The main reason is solely selfish on my part.”

  “And why’s that?”

  “I’ve seen how unkind the world can be, the brutality and unfairness. Seeing things through your eyes… it kept the darkness inside of me from taking over completely.”

  “You never had that darkness to begin with. You’re one of the best people I know.”

  He smirks. “Duh.”

  I sigh, grateful I no longer have to worry about him being mad. “I really am sorry though. None of it was intentional.”

  “I know. I just want to protect you. You’re too kind-hearted to tell someone to go fuck themselves.”

  I giggle, shaking my head. “Unless I’m mad.”

  “Yeah, but you say it so politely, it doesn’t count.”

  “You have a visitor,” Dad announces, stepping into the kitchen. He doesn’t look happy, and my body tenses, preparing for the worst.

  “A visitor?” I ask. Everyone I know is here or at home resting.

  When Drew ducks through the doorway, I fall out of my chair, a dopey grin on my face when I land on the floor. I hiss through the pain. “Drew, you’re here.”

  Dad helps me to my feet. “Charlotte, you need to be careful,” he warns.

  Drew’s eyes widen when I stand, briefly casting a glance at Landon, who’s behind me. When our gazes meet, I can’t help but teleport back to the night his hands were on me, his gentle yet rough touch. I lick my lips. “You are so pretty.”

  He clears his throat. “Landon rushed out in a hurry and Paisley explained you were in an accident and were here. I came to see if you were okay.”

  I step forward, my sore knee causing me to fall forward. Both he and Dad reach for me, but it’s Drew who catches me.

  “So big,” I sigh. I fight back the urge to cry out, too soothed by being in his arms. A throat clears, and we awkwardly pull back from one another.

  “Are you okay?”

  I tilt my head right back, ignoring the pain in my neck. “I nearly died, Drew. I thought about you and—”

  “Honey,” Mum interrupts.

  “I’ve never been to a nudist beach. I’ve never gone to a moustache competition. And today, I nearly missed my chance,” I blabber.

  “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  I nod solemnly. “Me too. I still have time to be a sex icon now.”

  Dad begins to wheeze, clutching the back of the chair.

  “Maybe you should lie down,” Mum suggests.

  I grin up at Drew, swaying slightly. “Want to go—”

  Mum steps up beside me, trying to pry me away from Drew. “Charlotte, you need to rest. Please, come and lie down or at least sit down.”

  “I don’t want to lie down,” I tell her, frowning. “I want to go to Disneyland.”

  “Why are you here?” Landon asks.

  “To check she’s okay.”

  “That doesn’t explain what you’re doing here,” Landon grits out.

  I narrow my gaze, pointing my finger at Landon. “He’s my friend. Leave him alone.”

  Something flickers over Drew’s face before he masks it. “Like I said, I wanted to make sure she’s okay.”

  “You could have messaged me,” Landon argues.

  “Why?” Drew asks. “I’m capable of coming here to see for myself.”

  “Drew, it’s so good of you to come,” Mum steps in, eyeing Landon warily.

  Madison’s eyes widen as she steps into the kitchen. “Holy fuck!”

  “It’s nice to see you again, Kayla,” he greets.

  “Isn’t it lovely, dear,” Mum asks, giving Dad a pointed look, “that Drew came to check on Charlotte?”

  “No, seems a little fucking fishy to me.”

  I groan when Uncle Max steps into the kitchen, a smug smile on his lips. “Hey, dude.”

  “Hi,” Drew replies, staring blankly back.

  Max helps himself to a Snickers bar and points it at Drew. “I found out what giants are most scared of.”