Lost in Silence (The Lost Series Book 1)(26)

The night before we eloped, he finally agreed to attend a get together hosted by a friend of mine from school. It was a rare occasion for him to attend anything with me. I was over the moon and I truly believed my friends would be more supportive if they could get to know him better. I was wrong. Their treatment of him that night sealed our fate.

I knew no one was happy to see him as soon as we walked through the door but I didn’t let it bother me. They just needed to get to know him. As the night wore on, it got worse. I reached my breaking point after dinner, when Olivia, our hostess, made an off the wall comment about a rumor involving Erik. People were saying he liked to hit women and Olivia wouldn’t let it go. Not even for our friendship. I blew up on her and we walked out. I was done defending my life choices and the man I loved. If my friends and my family couldn’t support me then I didn’t need them. I didn’t need their poison. I walked away from them all.

The next morning we drove to a small wedding chapel as few towns over and got married. Little did I know at the time I was making the biggest mistake of my life. I did learn that night the rumor I defended him against was true.

“Alice, did you hear me?” Hudson’s voice pulls me away from my thoughts. I look up at him confused. I didn’t hear a single word coming from his mouth. “The shower is yours if you want to wash up before heading over to Missy’s for dinner.”

My stomach clenches because I forgot about our dinner plans. I contemplate making an excuse as my nerves settle once again in my stomach but sitting wrapped in his arms made it difficult. I pull away from him, needing the space to figure out what was going on in my head. I walk towards the bedroom, breathing in deeply, my mind in another trance.





Chapter 8


Alice

The drive to Missy’s house is uncomfortably quiet. I don’t mind the quiet but Hudson seemed preoccupied and it made me nervous. Thankfully the ride is only two minutes. He wasn’t kidding when he said he lived down the street from her. I desperately need to put more space in between us after this afternoon. It wasn’t that I regretted letting him hold me but it wasn’t good for us. I can’t allow myself to get any closer to him, for both our sakes. So when he puts the truck in park, I quickly open my door and slide out before he can react.

Missy’s house is cute and quaint, nothing like Hudson’s. Her yard is beautifully made up with lots of bright flowers and dark green grass. It reminded me of home, when I was a child. Although it wasn’t my mother out tending the garden, planting the seasonal plants and flowers. No, we hired someone to do it for us. This garden, I had a feeling Missy took pride in and tended to it herself.

“Come on,” Hudson offers me his hand but I don’t take it. Instead, I stare down at the ground and wait for him to pass and lead the way. He hesitates, probably disappointed I wouldn’t touch him but I know I’m doing the right thing. He’ll understand eventually.

I follow him up the walkway and to the bright red door. He knocks, which I find odd because this is his sister’s place and she didn’t exactly wait for an invitation to let herself into his place this morning. I shrug it off. Maybe he’s just being polite.

Missy swings open the door. Her face is bright and flush. “Since when do you knock, brother? Get your ass in here,” she opens her arms wide, Hudson smiles at her and scoops her up into a big hug.

“I missed you too, sis.”

She pulls back and slaps him on the arm. “Took you long enough to admit it,” she laughs, a twinkle in her eye. She looks away from her brother and smiles at me. She grips his arm, I can tell it’s because she wants to greet me the same. She is an extremely affectionate person. “Alice, I’m so happy to see you. You look lovely.”

I nod and sign thank you in sign language.

“You sign?” she asks and her eyes light up.

I shake my head. No. It was one of the few signs I remember from a week long study as a child. I never used it before but I want her to know I’m grateful for her hospitality and the new clothing. She picked out some amazing things and it had been so long since I owned anything nice or new. I wasn’t allowed such extravagances with Erik. There wasn’t a need since I wasn’t allowed clothing.

“Well, I’m sure we’ll find a way to talk, get some girl time in,” she winks. I return her smile and quickly look down at my feet. Her finger hooks under my chin, pulling my face up to her. My instinct is to flinch and pull back but I fight it. “Don’t do that Alice. Never look down. I’m no better than you. We’re the same.”