Free Carter (The Harlow Brothers Book 1) by Brie Paisley

splashed against my bare legs as I ran through puddles of water, and I almost slipped and fell when I rounded the corner to Annie and William’s backyard. I was unsure if they were home, but if they were I knew they’d give me the space I needed.
    Once I reached the ladder to the treehouse, I quickly climbed up, and had to stop once I reached the top to wipe my face. The rain fell down on me, and I stood still for a moment, letting it wash over me. I was soaking wet by the time I walked inside, but I didn’t care. I was cold and wet, but nothing could take away the pain I felt. I sat down in the corner and pulled my legs to my chest. I leaned my head on my knees, and I had no idea how I still had tears streaming down my cheeks. My chest felt like it was being torn in two, and I started shaking feeling how cold my clothes were on my skin. I didn’t know how long I sat all alone in the corner, crying hysterically before I heard him. I knew he’d come. He was there when the sheriff told me about my Dad’s accident. The news shouldn’t have shocked me as much as it did. I knew my dad was drunk. I knew he didn’t have anything to live for, not even me. My mother made sure of that. But it’s the pain of knowing he not only killed himself, but he also murdered a mother, father and one of their children. Their little girl was the only one that survived. I didn’t know if she’d live through the pain and suffering of the news once she found out her family was dead. I let out a scream just thinking about it, of how selfish he was. Now, not only is my life utterly shattered, but so is that little girl’s.
    “Shelby?”
    I lifted my head, hearing his voice, and when he sat beside me, I leaned into him. He pulled me tighter into his embrace as I cried out, and gripped his shirt in my hands. “Why, Carter? Why did he do this to me?” I screamed over and over. I knew he didn’t have the answers. I knew my Dad had a problem, but I thought he was getting better. But once my mother left to go on her selfish trip, Dad started drinking again. I never thought he was this bad off. I never thought he could be stupid enough to drive while intoxicated. The only saving grace out of the whole situation was Mom had made sure Annie and William looked after me while she was gone. I pleaded with her to let me stay with Dad, but she refused to listen. With Dad being all alone, I was just waiting for something bad to happen. I just had a feeling he would go off the deep end.
    My soaked shirt clung to me as Carter stroked my back. My cries finally stopped, but I didn’t move out of Carter’s arms, even if he was soaked from the rain. Somehow, his warmth was making me feel warm too. He was my other safe place. The one person I knew that would never leave me. “She did this to him.”
    “What do you mean, Shel?”
    “My horrible mother. She did this! If she hadn’t left for God knows what, he would still be here. That family would still be here. That little girl wouldn’t be an orphan now.” I raised my head, and turned away from Carter. The tears were back and a lump formed in my throat. It burned, and I felt it all the way down to my stomach.
    “Shelby, I … I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry.”
    “Yeah, I am too. He was getting better. He’d stopped drinking again, and he actually was my Dad.” I faced Carter as I asked, “Why did she leave him? I don’t understand it, Carter. If she’d never left, if she wasn’t so selfish, he’d still be here, and so would that family. I hate her. I hope she never comes back.”
    “I know you’re angry, but you can’t talk like that. Shelby, your dad was sick and it’s not anyone’s fault. I can’t explain why your dad chose to drink and drive, but you and I both know he never meant to hurt anyone.”
    I stood and I pointed my finger in his face. I didn’t want to direct my anger at him, but I couldn’t help it. “Don’t you say that! I hate her. I don’t want her to