“I landed on a broken wine glass,” I whisper the truth.

Roman’s nostrils flare, his head shaking. I can tell he wants to unleash on something, his fists clenched. He forces a slow inhale, hands loosening. “Is this the first time he’s hit you?” His voice sounds strained, the calm surface level.

My entire body hurts, and I can’t bring myself to say it aloud.

When no answer answers him, he laughs without humor. “Of fucking course it’s not.”

“It’s not normally bad for me. He usually…” I swallow and have to push the words out, “I got in the w⁠—”

“Finish that sentence, and I’ll lose my fucking shit.” He swings his gaze to mine, his eyes safe to me even when he’s seething. “The only way to get in the way is if it’s happening. If it’s happening, not a goddamn part of it is an accident.”

I nod because what else can I do? Disagree? Daniel accidentally gets loaded and fights with his pilled-up wife, and then unintentionally beats her? And me when I try to help too much?

The little girl always tries to help.

As I put the fabric back in place, I glance down.

Roman touches my other cheek, and I look up. I look up, and I see the tear inside him.

“I would kill him if I could. Fuck, I’d report it if it would do a damn thing besides make it worse.” His thumb sweeps back and forth before his hand returns to the back of my seat.

“I don’t have that long left,” I say, putting more behind it now. “I got approved to graduate early.”

I haven’t told anyone since Sage will doom about me leaving her. But when his lips twitch the tiniest bit, I feel less alone in it.

We still lived in Hunts when I started taking extra classes freshman year. My mom pissed off a boyfriend before locking down a new one, which meant nowhere to go after he kicked her out.

Us out.

At four in the morning, lying on my back on a merry-go-round, staring at the sky for another night, I needed a reason. Coming up with a way out that kept me from having to sleep on playground equipment or hold my pee to avoid cracked-out creeps near the park’s restrooms served the purpose. Graduating early became the first item on what developed into the escape plan.

“So,” I tell Roman, “I only need to last in the step-house for a little over a month. After that I won’t have to worry about finishing school without a place to live.”

“You don’t have to worry now if you move in with me.”