Chapter 48

“He had been abused,” she said, soft but flat. “Physical, emotional.” She laid a hand on the top of Scooter’s desk. “There is a pattern to most abuse. Do you know it? The victim is hurt, or threatened, or neglected, and then the abuser feels guilty. Apologizes.” She met Scooter’s eyes. “Often, very often, with gifts.”

Jesus. “Kat,” he whispered, the chair dropping flat to the floor with a jarring thump. “I’vebeen neglecting Andy. We…we had a thing. A moment. A really great moment. Right before the fire. And I’ve barely spoken to him all week.” Scooter was going to throw up. Jesus. Jesus Christ

“And if you give him a gift to apologize, then it will set off all his warning bells,” Kat agreed. “Even if he doesn’t realize it, it will make him wary.” She cocked her head. “You have not abused him,” she said firmly.

Scooter swallowed down his nausea. “Can I get you a gift?” Scooter asked. “For keeping me from making the biggest mistake of my life.”