Becker's POV...

"What's got you so upset?" Cohen points to my white knuckles and I realize how hard I'm gripping the steering wheel.

"I'm fine," I growl back. Cohen throws his hands up in surrender.

I know I'm being a dick and Cohen doesn't deserve my attitude, I'm just afraid of saying anything I'll regret. I wish I knew why I felt the way I do.

When Greya said she was skipping practice because she had to attend a teacher meeting for her brother, something inside me snapped. She should not have to be sacrificing anything. She's so smart and talented, she could go anywhere. Life seems to have other plans though, which unfortunately involve her having to forfeit her dreams. So many magnificent opportunities are waiting for her. She's the one who could make it to Pro someday, but I have a feeling she's going to give it all up.

I'm not upset that she's taking responsibility of raising her brother, I admire her actually. It's when I think about all the sacrifice and suffering she continues to endure, it drives me crazy. Like literally crazy. I feel like I'm loosing my mind over everything. The fact that I need to go home tonight isn't helping my sanity. Jack is usually away somewhere from Thursday through Sundays, but you never know.

I spend the rest of the school day lost in my own head. Cohen and Declan give me the space they think I need. Hell, I don't know if that's actually what I need. I've avoided Graya for the most part. I know I shouldn't, but I don't know how to explain to her why I bolted out of the kitchen when I was supposed to be trying to comfort her. She wouldn't understand...even I don't understand.

During my walk to the soccer field is the only time I get a glimpse of her. Ari & Fynn are next to her car, all three having what looks to be a serious conversation. I wait a moment, watching them. They both give her a hug before she gets into her mustang and takes off.

I want to know if Greya is ok. I shouldn't pry, and I know the way I've been acting today isn't going to help me get any information out of anyone. The only thing I can do is run off some steam and take my aggression out on the field. That always helps.

After confirming Jack will be gone for the night, I make dinner for Alec and I and then head upstairs to the piano room.

I run my fingers along the keys, feeling the smoothness of them. My eyes close as I begin to play a familiar melody. I allow my mind to drift into the song and enjoy the calmness it brings me. It seems like hours of peacefulness go by until a faint knock on the door has me stop playing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't meant to interrupt your playing. You're amazing you know."

Greya standing at the door makes me speechless. What is she doing here. Fuck! Jack could come home and... fuck!

I hastily move away from the piano and towards her. "Greya, how did you get in here? What are you doing here? I frantically ask.

"Alec let me in. I'm sorry, I'll go," she starts to turn away.

"No, wait. I didn't mean...I... fuck!" She is looking at me like I'm crazy. Well I am.

"Sorry, Love, I didn't mean to sound so rude, I'm just surprised that you're here? Why are you here?"

She turns back and stares at the piano for a moment before gazing at me. "You seemed really...off today. I came by to make sure you're alright."

"I was being an asshole and you came here to see if I'm alright?"

"We're trying to be better friends, remember?" She kindly reminds me of my own words.

Now I really feel like a jerk. I look over her shoulder, out into the hallway to make sure it's safe before I motion for her to follow me into the room.

She admires the piano again and her eyes drift to the portrait on the table next to it. "That's my mom and I," I tell her. "It's the only picture I have of her." The only reason why I still have it is because Jack never steps foot in this room. I'm so thankful for that.

"I now know where you and Alec get those gorgeous color eyes and dark hair from," she smiles. She thinks I have gorgeous eyes. Has she seen hers. I'm flattered nonetheless.

I take a seat at the piano and pat the space next to me. She accepts the invitation and sits down while trying not to touch me.

It then dawns on me that Chase isn't with her. "Who's watching Chase?"

"Fynn's with him."

"He's a great friend," I say to her.

"The best," she smiles.

I begin playing a tune as she watches me. "I love hearing you play," she confesses. My heart skips a beat just hearing her say that.

"You could go to Berkeley. Play piano and soccer. You certainly are talented at both." I stop playing and turn towards her.

"You think I'm talented?" I search her eyes for the truth.

Her brows squeeze together slightly giving me a quizzical look. "Becker Reeves, you are the most talented person I know. Any college would gladly accept you."

She subconsciously places her hand over mine causing my breathing to halt. Realizing this, she pulls away quickly.

"I can't leave here," I mumble before turning towards the keys again.

"Beck, how long has it been going on?"

I almost choke at the question. She's not dumb, I know she's figured something out.

"How long has what been going on?" I play the fool.

"How long has your father been hurting you?"

She ignores the shocked expression on my face and continues, " Beck, please talk to me. I know you're hurting, I want to be here for you."

"Too long...it's been going on for t...too long," I stutter.

"I know what it's like to sacrifice for your little brother, but your sacrifice is physical torture, I want to help you," she says.

"You already help me more than you know Greya."

"Not enough. Knowing someone is hurting you that way...I can't let that happen to you."

"Yes you can," I spit out in an angrier tone. "You have endured enough, I'm not going to burden you with this too."

"Helping someone you care about is not a burden Becker."

"Yes it is a burden, I'm a burden to everyone. Declan and Cohen are always careful around me, to afraid to touch me or joke around with me like normal guy friends do. I puked in the toilet after you hugged me for fucks sake!" I shout.

My tantrum stops when I feel her palm cup my cheek. What is she doing?

We face each other, sitting too close on this small bench. Stunned frozen by her sudden touch, I can't even move her hand away.

"Close your eyes," she says. Her soft hand still rests on my cheek. Her hand feels warm and inviting and my eyes hesitantly close.

"You're safe with me, Beck, can you feel it? I will never hurt you," her declaration causes my head to lean into her hand. I believe her even when my body shakes with fear.

A door slams shut from downstairs and I can hear his heavy footsteps. Bolting up from the bench, I run towards the hall and whisper for Alec.

"What's wrong?" I hear Greya ask.

"Everything is wrong. This is what I was afraid of, you have to leave. Now!" I say with urgency.

Alec comes running into the room. I turn to him while grabbing Greya's hand and giving it to Alec.
"Get her out the back door and make sure she gets safely into her car, I'll distract him."

"What? No, I won't let you get hurt for me," she cries.

"Love, he can do what ever he wants to me, as long as I keep you and Alec safe," I look her straight in the eyes.

"Now go!" I push Alec towards the hallway.

"Promise you'll be okay!" she begs.

"I'll call you a little later, please get out of here," Is the best response I can give her.

After Alec gets her out the back, I head downstairs before Jack sees them. "Who's fancy car is that in front of the house?" He asks me.

"Just a friend, they just left," I tell him.

"What friend?"

"Someone from school."

Jack grabs me by the throat and pushes me back against the wall. His fingers squeeze my trachea until I can barely breathe. "Don't sass me boy! When I ask you a question, you give me a straight answer." He belts a left hook into my side and I feel something crack. He releases his death grip on my neck and I crumble to the floor gasping for air.

I watch as he reaches for a bottle from the liquor cabinet and then takes some cash out of the wall safe above. "I'll be back tomorrow, both of you behave while I'm gone," he threatens before walking out the front door.

Alec , comes in through the back door and sees me doubled over in pain. "He might of broken a rib," I cough out.

"We should get you to the hospital," Alec nervously says.

"No, no hospitals," I can hardly speak. No one is going to touch me at any hospital or question what's going on here.

Alec is about to cry, so I use the wall to help myself stand and hobble over to him. "Take us to Greya's house," I instruct him.