23. Macy

Chapter 23

Macy

I burrow a little deeper under the covers and curl into Cord's side. I haven't been able to stop crying since I saw my father standing on my apartment's doorstep.

I'm not sure why it's affecting me so much. Maybe because I'm already feeling incredibly raw. Maybe because I never expected to see him again. How do you go so long without any contact, then just show up on my doorstep?

"Talk to me, baby. I need to know where your head is at," Cord murmurs.

He's been so sweet and caring through all of this. He made sure to protect me and keep me away from my father. He didn't even know what was going on, but he knew to keep me away from the situation. When I came out of my apartment, I was terrified he would still be there, but Cord took care of it. He made sure I felt safe .

When we got home, he practically carried me inside and drew me a hot bath. He helped me strip out of my clothes and climbed inside the tub with me. He held me until the water turned cold and my teeth started chattering, then he dried me off and helped me slip one of his shirts over my head. I've been cocooned in his blankets since.

"I just… I don't know why he showed up?" I whisper.

"He said he wants to talk to you. He wants to repair your relationship."

"Cord," his name falls from my lips in a whimper. He tightens his hold on me and kisses my forehead.

"I know, baby. I told him he can't show up again unless you give him permission." He strokes a hand up and down my back, trying his hardest to soothe me.

"How would I give him permission? I don't have a way to contact him." I frown into Cord's chest. I hate all of this.

"I gave him my business card. He'll be calling me tomorrow."

"Why would you do that?" I sit up in bed so quickly I almost fall over.

"Hey, calm down. It's going to be fine." Cord slides up the mattress until his back is resting against the headboard.

"You don't need to be involved in this, Cord." I'm not angry, I'm just confused. What person would willingly get involved in this shit show ?

"I knew I'd only get him to leave if I promised him something. I said I'd talk to you and let you know what he wanted, but he couldn't contact you. He has to go through me."

"Why?"

"Because then I can protect you. I can be the middleman and make sure he doesn't overstep boundaries."

"And if he does?"

"Then I'll have a team of lawyers so far up his ass, he won't know what happened to him. He'll wish he were back in prison," Cord growls. "I won't let him hurt you again, Macy."

Cord tugs me back into his arms and I go willingly. I've never felt safer than I do wrapped in his embrace. We're quiet for a few minutes before I break the silence.

"I haven't seen him since the night he almost killed Liam," I whisper. "I was so scared, Cord. I could hear him beating my brother. I could hear each point of contact he made, but I couldn't do anything about it. Liam made me promise to stay in my room."

"What happened? How did you guys get out safely?" His words are hesitant and measured. I pull back enough to gaze up at him with furrowed brows. Why is he asking this? "You've never talked about what happened. Not about that night or any of the other nights your dad lifted his hand to one of you. You've made comments and I've made assumptions, but I don't know the whole story. "

I nod my head and settle back into his arms. Getting lost in these memories is going to be painful, but if I want a real shot at a future with Cord, he deserves to know the good, the bad, and the painful ugliness.

"I've told you how after my mom left, my dad kinda went off the deep end. He threw himself into work and stopped caring about us. I think part of it was to drown himself in anything that would keep his mind off of his wife leaving and part was so he wouldn't have to look at us and constantly be reminded of how his life had changed. Then, when that wasn't enough, he drowned his sorrows in a bottle."

"That's why you don't drink much, isn't it?"

"Yup. I rarely ever get drunk. I limit myself to one or two drinks, because I know what type of addiction runs in my veins and I don't want to be anything like him."

"You're not, Mace. You're so much better than him."

I squeeze my eyes shut knowing the next part is going to be a bit harder to get through. Nothing hurts quite like losing someone you love to something like alcohol, but still having them right in front of you.

"It started out with him getting drunk and yelling at the TV during a football game. That turned into Liam and I getting yelled at for something stupid. One night, he tried to grab me, but Liam stepped in the way. He pushed Liam into the wall and punched him in the stomach. Liam mouthed ‘run' to me and I listened right away. I was terrified."

"How old were you?"

"Eight."

"Damn, baby. I'm so sorry."

"Every time he got drunk, it got worse. Liam worked to keep me out of the house as much as possible when he was home. We came up with game plans on what to do if he was home and was drinking. I would lock myself in the bathroom to shower after cheerleading while Liam would distract him. I slept in Liam's bed with him, and he'd move his dresser in front of the door to make sure our father couldn't get in."

Cord holds out his hand and I link my fingers with his. He caresses the back of my hand with his thumb, silently encouraging me to keep going.

"One night, he saw Miranda drop us off at home. He was livid. He kept making comments about how Liam was dating her because she was rich and he just wanted to get away from his current life." I shake my head, remembering how upset Liam got about that. He was in love with Miranda already, but he didn't care about her money.

"Is that why you resisted me for so long?"

"It probably had a little bit to do with it," I whisper. "I didn't want anyone to think I was dating you for your money. "

"I never thought that, baby. I swear I was head over heels for you after the first time Charlie introduced us."

"We were like twelve." I chuckle.

"Yeah, but I knew you were perfect even then." He kisses my cheek, showing me he loves me without trying to make anything more intimate. He's not looking to have sex tonight, he just wants to be here for me.

"I think Liam saw something in his face that night. He made me go straight to the bedroom and lock the door. He knew something was different that night and he made sure I was safe. I cried the entire time, but when I stopped hearing Liam responding to him, I knew something was wrong. I called Miranda and she came with Noah. Noah was able to pin my father to the ground and get him away from Liam, while Miranda checked on me, then took care of Liam. I begged them to call the cops. I didn't care if I would be separated from Liam, I couldn't let him get killed just so I could stay with him."

"That must've been horrifying, sweetheart."

"It was. I'll never forget the wild look in his eyes when we entered the house that night, or the empty gaze I saw when I left the house with Frankie's mom. She fostered me until Liam was able to get full custody and she convinced the judge to keep me out of court. Because of that, this is the first time I've seen him since that night. When I saw him standing there, I felt like that scared eight-year-old all over again, Cord. I was watching every move, trying to gauge if he was going to hurt me."

"You know I'd protect you."

"Yes, but that didn't end well the last time someone attempted that."

"I'd hope I can defend myself a little better than Liam could in high school." He rolls his eyes playfully. "Has Liam mentioned him? It sounded like he's talked to Liam."

"No. I guess I'll have to call him tomorrow and figure out what's going on." I blow out a long breath.

"I can call him if you want."

"You can't handle all of this for me, Cord."

"No, but I can handle as much as you'll let me. If I call Liam, I can figure out all of the information. It will give you a chance to process it on your own terms, then we can figure out what to do. You won't feel rushed or influenced in any way."

"Would you really want to do that?" I stare up at him as tears fill my gaze.

"Of course, baby."

I'm lucky to have him in my corner. I'm not sure what I did to deserve someone like Cord Powell in my life, but I never want to let go of him.