I nodded and helped Oliver pack the car. He closed the trunk soundlessly then explained our plan to back it out of the driveway. Thank God for the nighttime, cloaking our deceit, because otherwise I would have never made it out. I would have stayed a prisoner forever in my bedroom.
I’ve heard of people doing amazing things under duress, like picking up a car that a child was trapped underneath. I knew it had to do with adrenaline, but I think it had more to do with God. I don’t know why God gave me strength to help Oliver move my getaway car, but I think he did. I think he wanted me out of there, like he knew I was in danger and needed to get somewhere safe. Somewhere like Mark’s house.
I was sweating profusely when we moved the car out of the driveway and down the street.
“Okay. I think that’s good,” Oliver said.
I couldn’t believe my good fortune that Dad didn’t ask for my car keys. Of course, I knew he’d never think for a second that I’d try to run away. Plus, as angry as he was, I couldn’t see him rummaging through my purse. That crossed a line, maybe more so than his striking me.
I burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Oliver asked.
But I couldn’t stop long enough to tell him my ridiculous thought.
“Cadence, get it together,” Oliver said.
“I’m tr-trying!” I choked out, laughing even harder. “L-look at-t my eye!” I pointed to my face and completely lost it.
Oliver just stared at me.
“Get in the car, Cadence,” he ordered.
I giggled. “Yes, sir,” I said, saluting him.
I walked around to the driver’s side and was swept up in another hug. I wasn’t used to Oliver hugging me so much. Hell, I wasn’t used to Oliver hugging me at all. And this one was especially strange because it felt so final. And I didn’t like it.
“Go,” he whispered in my ear.
“Do you wanna come with me?”
He shook his head and squeezed me harder. “No. You go live in sin and report back.”
I laughed. “Okay.”
I looked at Oliver as little as possible as I climbed into the car. And once I started the ignition, I tore down the road for fear that Mom and Dad would recognize the sound of my engine and chase after me. Our goodbyes felt rushed at the end, and I should have said something else to Oliver before I left. I should have told him I loved him. I checked my rearview mirror and glimpsed him standing in the middle of the street, just an obscure black outline against an even blacker sky.
“They know?” Mark asked. He took my hand and led me to the couch.
“Yes. Gracie told them. She saw us at the movies.”
“Cadence, what happened to your eye?”
“I thought she’d leave it alone, but she told them. I came home today and they were all sitting in the living room waiting for me. She—”
“Cadence, what happened to your eye?”
“—had this guilty look on her face. But it was weird. It was guilt mixed with excitement, like she was secretly happy to ruin me. I—”
“Cadence! You’ve gotta stop, okay? You can tell me everything in a minute. But first, what happened to your eye?”
I took a deep breath. “Dad got mad.”
Mark tensed immediately, balling his hands into tight fists.
“Your father hit you?”
I nodded.
“I’ll kill him,” Mark breathed. “I’ll kill him.” He disappeared to his bedroom, and I followed.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Changing.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m going to your house, Cadence. To kill your fucking dad.”
My heartbeat sped up. All the emotions that were void just a few minutes ago flooded my heart and mind. I was afraid, and Mark was making it worse.
“Please don’t,” I said. “Mark, please listen to me.”
“Cadence, your father punched you in the eye!”
“I know that!” I cried. “He’s gonna press charges!”
“Oh, is he? Press charges against me?” Mark laughed. “I don’t know how a dead man can press charges.” He pulled on his shoes and left the bedroom. I ran after him and barred the door.
“Don’t!” I screamed.
“Cadence? Move.”
“I won’t! You’re making it worse! Everything is falling apart, and you’re making it worse!”
“Your father hit you, Cadence!”
“I fucking know that!” I shouted. “Stop saying it! I know he hit me! And you want to go kill him when I need you here with me! Just pay attention to me!”
Mark dropped his car keys and picked me up, cradled me like a baby and walked to the couch.
“I’m sorry, Cadence,” he said, lips pressed to my forehead. He sat down and pulled me close, rocking me gently while I spilled tears all over his neck and shoulder.
“I’m scared!” I sobbed.
“I know,” Mark replied. “Me too. But I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. And I’m sorry I upset you. It’s just, no one hits someone I love. Do you understand?”
I nodded into his neck.
“I would die if anything happened to you, Cadence. I would.”
“I’m screwing up your whole life!”
“You’re not. You’re making it better and better every day.”
“I shouldn’t have just come over like this,” I went on.
“Oh my God, Cadence,” Mark said. “Don’t talk like that. I’m so glad you’re here. I wouldn’t want you to go anywhere else.”
“I don’t wanna be a burden,” I said.
“Cadence? Look at me,” Mark demanded.
I lifted my eyes to him.
“You are never a burden. Ever. Do you understand me?”
I nodded and tucked my head back in the hollow of his neck.
“I love you, and I’m gonna take care of you,” Mark said.
“You are?”
“Oh yes. I plan to take care of you forever.”
“They’re coming to get me,” I blurted. I had to say it again to make him understand. They would try to take me away from him, and the thought made me shiver. I couldn’t stop, and Mark tightened his grip on me.
“Well, they can’t have you,” he said.
“You’ll get in trouble, Mark. You’ll lose your job. Dad said he’s gonna press charges.” My teeth chattered.
“I don’t care about losing my job, Cadence.”
“But you’re saving up for school,” I said.
“I’ve saved up for school. I’m fine.”
“What about the rape charge?” I asked. I hated saying the word “rape” out loud.
“It wasn’t rape, so you have nothing to worry about,” Mark replied.
“Then what does he mean by pressing charges?”