“How am I doing?” I repeat his question and laugh sarcastically. “How am I doing? Well, let me see. The biggest secret of my whole life is out now. My bar got trashed, and my insurance is claiming that I did it because, well, every single normal person trashes their place of business. Destroying the only income that I have ’cause that’s a great idea,” I say angrily. I brush away the one tear that escapes my eye, not willing to give anyone else my tears. “Then someone or maybe the same person decides that I don’t have enough shit going on right now, so they decide to break my windows with bricks.” Another tear falls. “Fuck!” I shout and look up at the ceiling. “Why am I letting this get to me?”

He squats down in front of me and takes my hands in his. “You’re human.”

I shake my head. “Are you sure? I didn’t see that written on any bricks. I did see the usual slut, bitch, whore. I wonder …?” I look at him, and my voice goes low. “How would it feel to walk out of my house and have neighbors who smiled at me and waved. Or even asked me how my day was,” I say, getting up. My hands fall from his as his eyes just look into mine with a look that is almost pity and sadness. “I bet it would be amazing.” Turning, I walk into the bathroom and close the door behind me so he doesn’t see me cry yet again.

Chapter Eleven

Beau

I listen to the click of the bathroom door before I get up and sit on her bed. What the fuck? I knew that people were rough on her, and I knew that people were still assholes about everything that went down eight years ago, but she always just shrugged it off. Or at least made it seem like it didn’t matter to her, but secretly, she was hiding all this hurt. I rub my hands over my face when the phone beeps in my pocket. I take it out and see a text from Jacob.

Jacob: We need to talk when I get back. Now that you’re mayor, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of.

I put my head back, wondering what the fuck else is going on. I used to watch my father and think that this job was easy. Sure, he had to keep the people happy, but every time I saw him, he looked calmed and collected. Maybe I bit off too much. I hear the water stop, and then the door opens and she comes out. “I’ll be ready in about ten,” she says, walking to her closet.