The Truck Driver

He Doesn't Care

Tank watched Kayla as she slept, his eyes tracing the soft rise and fall of her chest. Even in sleep, her face was troubled—eyebrows slightly furrowed, lips parted like she was lost in a dream she couldn't quite escape.

He hated it.

Hated that even now, after everything, she wasn't at peace.

His jaw tightened as he gently brushed his fingers over her cheek, tracing the faint tear stains dried against her skin. His heart ached knowing she had cried herself to sleep in his arms. He hated seeing her hurt. Hated knowing who had caused it.

His grip tightened on her waist, but he forced himself to relax when she stirred, her lashes fluttering as she woke up.

Her sleepy eyes met his, and for a moment, she just stared. Then she exhaled, nuzzling closer into his chest.

"I would never judge you," Tank whispered, his deep voice soft as he trailed slow, soothing patterns along her belly.

Kayla nodded, her breath shaky as she exhaled.

Tank held her hand gently. "What happened at your mama's house with Vince?"

Kayla froze. Her fingers trembled slightly in his grasp.

Tank could feel her hesitation. But he didn't rush her. He simply squeezed her hand, waiting.

Kayla swallowed hard, nervous to talk about the abuse she endured. But she knew she could trust him.

"It started when I was little," she finally whispered. "Vince always found a reason to touch me. A pat on the back that lasted too long. His hand brushing my thigh when I walked by. At first, I didn't think much of it."

Tank was still beneath her, his body tense, but he didn't interrupt.

"But when I got older, it got worse." Kayla swallowed hard. "He started watching me different. I'd catch him staring when I was in the house wearing shorts. If I bent over, he'd be right there." She shook her head, eyes stinging. "I felt dirty, but I didn't know what to do."

Tank's grip on her hand tightened slightly, but he remained quiet, his breathing heavy.

Kayla hesitated before continuing.

"The worst of it... it started after my mama whooped me in front of him."

Kayla nodded stiffly. "She stayed mad at me. For everything. I could breathe wrong, and she'd find a reason to hit me." Her voice wavered. "One day, she found out I was having with Josh. I don't even know how probably Janay told her or something. I had just turned seventeen. She yanked me out the shower and beat me naked."

Tank flinched.

Kayla's eyes burned as she stared at the wall. "Vince was right there. Watching the whole thing. Smirking." She shuddered. "And after that... he got bolder."

Tank's body was rigid, his fingers gripping hers so tight it almost hurt. But Kayla didn't stop him. She needed to hold onto something.

"He started finding ways to get me alone. Walking in my room at night like he belonged there. Trying to touch me when my mama was or wasn't home."

Tank let out a sharp breath through his nose, his chest heaving.

"And then..." Kayla's voice cracked, but she forced herself to say it. "Right before my eighteenth birthday, he... he force himself on me."

Tank snapped.

His whole body tensed, his breathing rough and uneven. His grip on her hand tightened just enough to make her feel his anger without hurting her.