Nothing But The Truth

Part 10 - I'm Falling

Andy POV

I shuffled my way into the bathroom looking at myself in the mirror. My hair was all over the place and badly in need of a cut but the bags under my eyes that had consumed me since the downfall of my marriage were no longer there.

For the last few weeks, I had woken up feeling more refreshed than I had done in years although I suspect it has something to do with the blonde now sleeping next to me. Everley started sleeping in my bed once her nightmares had become too much and now it was natural for her to share my bed every night

I groaned as I thought about what would happen if anyone were to find out about our little sleeping arrangements. I knew I was treading a very fine line between being professional and friendly but I couldn't stay away from her. There was something mesmerising about her that drew me in, that made me want to protect her from everything bad..... including her nightmares.

Peering out of the bathroom door, I looked over toward the king size bed and noticed that Eve had moved over so that her face was smashed in to my pillow. The sheets had moved down her body to show her long toned legs and her top had ridden slightly up to show that smooth flesh along her hip bone. My dick twitched at the sight of this and I willed it away. Thinking of her in that way would definitely be crossing a line.

Finishing up in the bathroom, I made my way downstairs checking my phone as I went. There in front of my were more pictures of the trauma that Everley had to endure at the hands of that monster. The bile that I could feel rising made me flip my phone over and reach over the sink, taking deep breaths to try and keep it at bay.

I'd been involved with numerous cases over the years. Some involving murder but yet none of them had impacted me the way that this case does. I hadn't wanted to delve into what that could mean but it was getting harder not to pinpoint why I behaved this way for this case. I knew the answer of course. I'd fallen for her. I felt like such an asshole knowing that she was struggling to deal with everything she had previously been through but I couldn't help it. I would never act on it of course but I would give anything to have a little taste of her.

Before I could ponder any more on my wavering thoughts, a pair of hands reached out and tickled my sides "You were deep in thought there Mr Barber. Anything you want to share with the rest of the class"

I watched her giggle and hoist herself up onto the kitchen counter as she started picking out cereal from the box and munching lazily on it "I was thinking that perhaps you could have another session today with the therapist"

This pulled a groan from her and I watched as the metaphorical shutters came down. Slowly she pushed the box of cereal down and crawled into herself. At that moment, I wanted to take it all back. I know she struggles with the therapy sessions, that it makes her reavaluate some of the worst times in her life but it was all for the good cause of helping her through the fog.

"Why do you always insist on me going to these stupid sessions. I don't trust these people at all. I'm giving the authorities all the information they want. Enough information that it automatically puts a god damn target on my head but you guys are always pushing for more from me. I don't see the point in them. Besides I have you talk to"

Watching Eve retreat into herself was always a hard pill to swallow. It felt like every time we took a step forward, we took another giant step back "Look, I know you don't like talking about it all, especially with people you don't know but honey I'm not trained in this area. You give me small details but that's only usually when you're scared. If you don't deal with everything you've been through, then he's still won. Don't let him win"

I watched as she lifted her head up and looked into my eyes. I knew she was searching for any type of betrayal. Any inkling that I was lying to her. Seemingly satisfied with whatever she found, she nodded her head "Ok. I'll do them. Book me in for them. I'm not saying that I'm going to be a completely open book though. I'll try and let them in but I'm not making any promises"

The relief swept through me at hearing she would accept the help. Stepping forward I rested my hands on either side of her cheeks "That's all I can ask. You can still talk to me whenever you want. Nothing has to change. You can talk to me about anything you're comfortable doing"

I pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead and felt her tug my shirt forwards so she could slip her arms around my waist with ease. I pulled her closer to me so that her head was now resting on my right shoulder and swamped her in a tight hug "I'm so proud of how far you've come already. Soon you'll have to stand in that court and face that man and I just want you to be fully prepared. For once let's see him scared shall we"

Feeling a hot puff of breath at my neck, she mumbled "I would love to him scared. I won't let him get away with what he's done to me and countless others. He deserves to rot in hell for what he's done"

"And he will sweetheart.... He will"

Note: sorry life had got in the way of updating again but I hope you enjoyed the latest instalment. As always, thank you for supporting me and please leave a like/comment if you're still enjoying this story 💙