After the Rain by Lisa de Jong Read Free Book Online Page B

outside to see Beau’s fist slamming into Drew’s face and the anger that was flowing out of him.
    A part of me was pissed that Beau would take the risk of getting injured just to get back at Drew. Another part of me felt vindicated. I kept the secret of what Drew did to me for years, and he didn’t have to shoulder any of the guilt or regret.
    But maybe Beau was able to beat some into him.
    I think we all have those moments in our lives that define who we are and who we will become. I’ve had a few of those. I grew up without a father, but I adjusted to having one parent who had to work all the time. I survived rape and the horrible emotional storm that followed. I met my soul mate and lost him soon after. Each moment of sorrow, pain, and regret led to new strength.
    I like to think I can make it through anything now.
    “We’re here,” Beau announces as he shuts off his old truck.
    I don’t know where I’d be without him. He’s been the one constant in my life. No matter what I do or say to him, he’s always there for me. “Let’s go then.”
    As I step out of the truck, the cold night air hits me. All I want to do is put on some warm clothes and crawl into a nice warm bed. It will be ten times better because Beau is here with me.
    He grabs my hand in his uninjured one and leads me to the front door of his apartment complex, careful to avoid the ice patches that have formed on the sidewalk. As he opens the door, he places his hand on my lower back to guide me through.
    It’s obvious that Cory and Rachel haven’t made it home yet because the apartment is pitch black, the only noise being the sound of the old refrigerator. For the first time, I feel a little nervous. I’ve known Beau for fifteen years, but this will be the first time I spend a whole night with him.
    “Do you want me to grab you something more comfortable to wear?” he asks, eyeing my tight jeans and black turtleneck.
    “That sounds like a good idea,” I reply, glancing toward the kitchen. “I’ll get some ice for your hand.”
    “Thank you,” he says, bending down to kiss my forehead again.
    As he disappears down the hall, I open drawers to find something to put the ice in. It’s a true bachelor pad with most cupboards and drawers being empty.
    “Look in the freezer,” I hear Beau say from behind me. By his voice, I can tell he’s only a few feet behind me.
    I pretend he’s not standing there and grab a towel that hangs from the refrigerator door and open the freezer. As I grab for the ice cube tray, I hear Beau clearing his throat. “You’re not going to wrap the ice in that towel are you?”
    I look down at the towel, confused. “Is there something special about this towel?”
    He laughs. “No, but I’d rather not have cold water everywhere.”
    I put my hand on my hip, letting him know I’m not in the mood to be tested. “Beau?”
    “Kate?” He wraps his good hand around my waist with a crooked grin on his face.
    “Do you have a Ziploc bag or something?”
    “All you had to do was ask,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “The drawer to the left of the fridge.”
    He lets go of me, and I busy myself getting some ice ready for him while he watches my every move. He’s trying to read me even while I’m doing the simplest of tasks. What he doesn’t know is that taking care of him is keeping all of my demons away.
    “I put some clothes on my bed for you,” he says before disappearing around the corner.
    Wrapping the ice-filled bag into the towel, I go in search of Beau. When I don’t see him in the living room, I walk to his bedroom, finding him seated on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. I approach, thinking he’ll look up as I move closer, but he remains still.
    “Beau,” I whisper, placing my hand on his shoulder.
    He doesn’t look up at me, but I feel his body trembling. I crouch down in front of him and try to get a glimpse of his face. “Beau.”
    “Are you sure you’re okay?” he