Willow Springs

What do those three little dots in a text message signify when they keep appearing and disappearing? It means that the sender is overthinking. In this case, the sender is my best friend, Addie. True to her style, she’s about to break some bad news through a text. How am I so sure? Because I’ve been watching those dots dance for the past twenty minutes. Naturally, she’s decided to do this on my only day off while I’m relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine.

I could just call Addie to see what’s weighing on her mind, but honestly, I’m not in the mood to deal with whatever news she might have. It can wait until morning. Right now, I have a date with my book boyfriend, and that’s far more appealing. Addie’s an awful cook, but I doubt she managed to set her house on fire.

Tossing my phone onto my lap, I dive back into my story. I enjoy reading submissive novels, even if I know I could never embrace that role myself. My trust in partners was shattered at a young age, I can’t let go of control and fully trust someone not to hurt me.

Luc takes a step closer, pressing me against the cold wall. It feels like we’re entering uncharted territory now, but I don’t push him away.

“Close your eyes, Elena. Trust me,” he murmurs with that deep, husky voice.

Once again, my reading time is disrupted, except this time by my ringing phone. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I slide a bookmark into the page before shutting the book. I usually silence my phone on my days off, but not for Addie; she’s the exception. I’ll have to find out what happens with Luc and Elena later.

“Addie, I love you, but could we talk about this in the morning? You’re really throwing off my vibe right now,” I pick up the phone and immediately hear her taking a deep breath. Great, this can’t wait until the morning. Instead of hanging up and diving back into my book, I pour my wine glass to the brim.

“You’re not going to like this,” she says with her charming Southern drawl, which usually makes me smile, but right now, it’s the last thing I want to hear. Because my relaxing night just came to an end.

Addie exhales deeply before her words start pouring out. The moment I hear Tyler’s name, a chill runs through me, and I quickly lift my wine glass to my lips, downing its contents in one swift motion. Addie’s brother was my first love, and I kept his darker side hidden until I understood how wrong he was. He swore he would never return, and I promised not to tell the authorities what he did. I should’ve told Addie the truth behind Tyler leaving; but I allowed him to control me into believing it would shatter her if she ever found out. Surely she would want to know that her brother is a sadistic narcissist.

“What really happened between you and my brother? No more tiptoeing around the subject this time, Kat.” Addie interrupts my thoughts, and I realize I’ve tuned her out as soon as she mentioned Tyler.

“Now isn’t the right time,” I mutter into the phone.

“It’s never the right time,” she counters with a bitter chuckle. “We don’t keep secrets from each other, Katerina.”

Her use of my full name makes me feel guilty. We’ve always been honest with one another, but it’s been eight years since Tyler left Willow Springs. I didn’t expect Addie to bring this up again; she didn’t bring him up again after he left. Now he’s coming back, and she wants answers. Honestly, she’s right—we don’t keep secrets, but this is not a conversation for the phone.

“I have an early meeting with the staff at seven. Can we talk over coffee at the shop tomorrow at five?” I sigh, running a hand through my hair.

“A little early, but I’ll make an exception for answers,” Addie responds brightly before hanging up. She knows how to pry information from me, but I only share what I feel is necessary. Addie deserves to know the truth about her brother; he may seem charming and attractive on the surface, but beneath that facade is a monster.

Right now? I’m in full panic mode. The silence stretching across my property is deafening, while my mind is an overwhelming whirlwind of emotions. But the one feeling that drives me to leap up and rush inside, ensuring the door is securely locked? Fear. Tyler is back.

I promised myself I would tell Addie everything if he returned. He can’t harm me now; I’ve ensured that. Still, I run my hands along my arms, as if trying to feel the bruises that are no longer there. I shiver as I sink to the floor, feeling cold despite the warmth surrounding me in my home. A panic attack—it’s been ages since I’ve experienced one. I remind myself to breathe, focusing entirely on each inhale and exhale.

That’s when everything becomes clear. I reach for my phone to check the date: October 1st, the day that marked the beginning of Tyler’s ‘October games’. We had just fought, and he threatened to leave me if I refused to participate in his twisted games. What would any sixteen-year-old, hopelessly in love with their high school sweetheart, do? My foolish younger self decided to go along with it, only to end up traumatized for life. Tyler is calculated, and him returning on this specific date has a clear motive—the date that turned October into a nightmare for me.

Flashback

October 1st

“Oh come on, Kitty, be a good girl and come out. You know how much I dislike when you misbehave.” Tyler clicks his tongue, his footsteps echoing on the tiled floor as he searches for me.

I’m terrified—really terrified. I told Ty that I didn’t want to play his games. But when I stood firm, his anger erupted, and the romantic candlelit room transformed into chaos; he smashed and hurled everything within reach. I ran to the kitchen, hiding in the spot Addie had told me about for emergencies if she wasn’t around. She said it was a secret, a place even Tyler wouldn’t know about. I managed to pry up the single floorboard near the pantry and squeezed into the small hideaway, carefully replacing the board over me. The heat in the house due to the flames is suffocating; it feels like 95 degrees in the middle of winter.

The sound of shattering glass jolts me, and I instinctively cover my mouth to stifle the squeal that nearly escapes. I regret not insisting that Addie stay; I wish I hadn’t begged her to leave for the weekend for some ‘alone time’ with Tyler. Now, he is revealing a side of himself I never wanted to witness. Breathing beneath the floorboard is hard, and I can hear him laughing maniacally above me.

“Kat, if you don’t say something right now, I swear I’ll knock you into next year!” Addie pulls me out of my current state, her hands gripping my cheeks and forcing me to focus on her glistening blue eyes.

She doesn’t slap me into next year, because the longer she holds me close to her, the more calm I become. Addie never knew where my panic attacks came from, but she was the one at my side every night when the screaming started. Now, it only happens when events trigger memories from the past. Like tonight.

“I had a feeling this would happen; I was already halfway here by the time we said bye.” She confesses, running her fingers through my hair and clinging to me tightly, as if terrified that letting go would mean losing me. The sweet scent of honey and cinnamon surrounds her, leftover scents from the baking she had done before coming over.

“You don’t have to share anything until you feel ready, Kat,” she murmurs in my ear. I nod in acknowledgment, though deep down I know it’s time to confront the truth. I’ve been carrying this pain too long, and Addie is the only person I trust to share it with.

We stand and she continues to hold me, guiding me through the dimly lit hallway adorned with photos of Addie and our friends. Each frame, made of smooth white wood, perfectly complements the rustic elegance of the wooden cabin walls. It’s a cozy three-bedroom cabin with a wraparound porch. I wanted a space that felt warm and inviting, and that’s precisely what I’ve built on my ten acres of land.

Addie leads me into my favorite room, where the fireplace pops and my couch is perfectly positioned to overlook the stunning lake. Addie quickly gets to work; she helps me onto the soft, large white cushion and lays my weighted blanket over me. I’m almost fully calm, but I still can’t shake my fear. I felt more secure when Tyler was twelve hours away.

Addie heads to the kitchen, likely to prepare a cup of hot tea—her go-to remedy for my panic attacks. She has a nurturing spirit, and I appreciate her for it. I snuggle deeper into my blanket, gazing through the tall glass windows. Outside, the trees sway more violently than before, and the lake beyond churns, whipped up by the increasingly fierce winds.

Winters in Willow Springs can be harsh, but I’m fully equipped to hibernate at home for a week if needed. Honestly? I’d welcome a heavy snowfall and the temporary closure of my coffee shop if it meant avoiding him. I could manage just fine; my staff can handle the business smoothly without me. But I refuse to let Tyler dictate my life anymore. He doesn’t hold power over me.

When Addie returns, we sit in silence for a while. It’s soothing, hearing nothing but the crackles of the fire while the roaring inside my mind calms. That is, until Addie speaks.

“You don’t have to say anything, but I will,” she says, fixing me with an intense stare and turning her body fully toward me on the couch. I recognize this look well; she means business.

“I don’t know what Ty did to you, Kat, but I know he hurt you. After our family home burned down that night…” Her voice drops to a whisper, and I see her eyes welling up, though no tears spill out—at least not yet.

“You changed after that day, and that’s when I recognized my brother for the monster he is and always has been. I wished so hard that you’d leave him. You don’t have to tell me what happened… But if you ever decide to, just know that I’m with you through it all.” She reaches for my hands, and although I’m not usually the one to get emotional, her words propel me to my feet. I tackle her with a hug, tears streaming down my face. Addie quickly joins in the crying. Who says best friends can’t marry each other? It’s tempting some days.

“I am sorry for not seeing his abuse sooner, but I promise he won’t come near you again as long as I have a say in it.” She tightens her grip on me, and my silence speaks louder than any words could convey.

I want to confess that even if she had noticed her brother’s abusive nature sooner, I likely wouldn’t have left him. I was too in love with Tyler then, blinded to the truth, and I concealed the abuse as he shattered me piece by piece. It was only my near-death experience that finally liberated me from him.

At some point, we make our way upstairs to my master bedroom, settling onto my king-sized log bed. I created this cozy space for Addie and me to enjoy our sleepover nights, a tradition every Saturday for as long as I can remember.

“I love it here,” Addie sighs contentedly, lying next to me with her dark curls spilling over one of my quilted pillows.

I chuckle at her words; she says this so often. It’s one of the many reasons she spends more time here than at her home in town. I’ve always suggested that she move in—it would certainly make the place feel less lonely. But she prefers to visit, wanting a little space between us sometimes. I understand; I do enjoy my privacy. Still, she’s here often enough that it feels like she lives with me anyway.

I could tell her I designed this home inspired by her vision from our childhood, but I think I’ll keep that to share in my will when the time comes. For now, I lie beside her and close my eyes, our hands intertwined. She wears a black friendship bracelet that matches mine, half of a heart. I never understood why Addie gifted me the bracelet after my breakup with Ty, but now, it all makes sense.