Chapter Twenty-Six: Breaking the Cycle

                                    

                                          
Chapter Twenty-Six
                          

                          
Breaking the Cycle
                          

                          

                          
"Here." I hand Colton the frozen bag of peas wrapped in a dishtowel. He takes it and releases a grateful sigh when he presses it to his swelling eye.
                          

                          

                          
"Thanks, honey." He tries to smile at me but the motion must hurt because it turns into more of a grimace.
                          

                          

                          
"What happened?" I ask, turning my body on the couch so my knees press into Colton's leg. Normally I would be consciously aware of my father watching us sit so close, but with Colton being beat up, I ignore the feelings of discomfort.
                          

                          

                          
"I uh, stood up to Dad." Colton laughs humorlessly and then presses a hand to his stomach, wincing.
                          

                          

                          
"Did he do more than punch you?" I watch Colton carefully. He shifts in his seat, being gentle to his right side.
                          

                          

                          
"No..." Colton won't meet my gaze.
                          

                          

                          
I narrow my eyes. "Let me see."
                          

                          

                          
"No, Cassidy." Colton tries to lean away but the motion jolts his side again, making him suck in a sharp breath.
                          

                          

                          
I shove away his weak attempts at holding me back and scrunch up his shirt to get a good look at his stomach, ignoring the way my heart jumps at the close contact.
                          

                          

                          
Then I'm the one sucking in a sudden breath.
                          

                          

                          
The entire right side of his stomach, from his ribs down almost level with his belly button, is turning a grossly shade of purple.
                          

                          

                          
"Colton!" I meet his eyes in disbelief. "Did your dad-?"
                          

                          

                          
"No." He shakes his head emphatically. "He didn't. I fell and hit the counter."
                          

                          

                          
"How did you fall?" I vigilantly observe Colton's face. Red is creeping from the back of his neck, as it always does when he's embarrassed or nervous.
                          

                          

                          
He opens his mouth to respond but is interrupted by Dad returning to the room. I never even noticed he left but I'm thankful he did since he hands Colton another dishtowel, this time wrapped around an ice pack.
                          

                          

                          
"Does your father do this all the time?" Dad asks. His expression is unreadable, but his tone not unkind.