Young Lies (Young Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

radiating longing for me. My vision grows blurry as the SUV backs out of the driveway and leaves the neighborhood. I never thought I’d again experience watching distance, physically and metaphorically, growing between us and this wound is just as raw as it had been last time.

3
     
    Over the last couple days, ever since Matthew came to speak with us, I’ve been extremely on my guard. I thought after the way Tom had treated him, Matthew might have called off the people tailing me all around town, but he didn’t. If anything, they’ve made themselves more obvious, not bothering to hide themselves, and I can’t help but think they’re doing this because they want to let anyone after me with intent to harm to know they’re present. This probably shouldn’t make me feel better, but somehow, it does.
    I haven’t seen or heard a thing from Matthew himself, not that I really expected to, and I’ve been fighting to hide my disappointment. After five years of trying to get over Matthew Young, to move on to a more normal life, I feel like I’d finally begun to pull it off, and then he shows up out of nowhere. Unlike Tom, I took every bit of what we were told seriously. I wanted to pack Tyler up that night and go wherever we might be safest, but after the worst fight Tom and I have ever had, I was too exhausted to do anything but go to sleep. Tom is still barely speaking to me. He’s angry that Matthew has made a reappearance. He’s angry that I’m “buying into” everything Matthew says. He’s angry that we’ve apparently got people out there who are trying to hurt us because of Matthew. He’s angry that every time we try to talk about it, I faithfully defend Matthew.
    I think that last one is the real problem, but I have no intention of backing down. Despite everything, I trust Matthew Young with my life and the life of our son , and that will never change. I may not have been completely honest with Tom when I showed up on his doorstep five years ago during the middle of a torrential downpour carrying my one-year-old son beneath my jacket and a single backpack that contained nothing but diapers, bottles, and other young child necessities. Over the years, I know Tom has formed his own beliefs of what happened between Matthew and me, and all those beliefs center around blaming Matthew for everything.
    Of course, in reality, it was all my doing. I was the one who left. I was the one who ended our marriage and removed our son from Matthew’s care. It’s a decision I’ve regretted every day since, only because I knew I was leaving behind the only man I’ll ever be in love with. Deep down, I think Tom knows this. It’s why our relationship is at such a stand still. He wants something I could never give him and he’s just desperately hoping I change my mind. If Matthew hadn’t shown up on our doorstep, I think somewhere very soon down the line, I would have been worn down, if for no other reason than to give Tyler some stability. He already considers Tom his dad and loves him like he is, and really, all that matters to me is my son’s happiness. Tom makes him happy, therefore, I’m happy. And it doesn’t matter if Tom and I both know it’s a lie. It’s a lie we’re willing to live with.
    As I said before, since Matthew left, I’ve been on guard everywhere I go. The slightest thing makes me jump: a backfiring car, someone yelling, a slamming of the door, the floorboards of my house creaking in the middle of the night, even though I’m well aware they always do that. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder, searching for anyone suspicious.
    Three nights after Matthew’s sudden visit , I’ve tucked Tyler into bed. Tom is working late, and I need some me- time. I spend time in the bathtub, intending to read, though I knew my mind wouldn’t focus. I keep thinking about Matthew and whatever this threat is. Is he safe? What happens if they turn their sights on him? I don’t think I could survive him being