I squeeze her arm. “It’s not your fault, Blondie.”
She shakes her head and steps away from me. Sebastian is in sync as he crosses the distance between her and him, and wraps her in his big, muscular arms that will protect her from anything.
Bringing his face down, he talks to her as she hiccups in chest. Her hands are fisting his t-shirt and her head is tucked on his chest.
The three of us walk inside the silent home. As we cross the living room, I find my father standing over my mother who’s curled up on the sofa. He hands her a teacup with saucer, then proceeds to press a kiss on her temple. When he raises to his full height, his eyes lock on me and he studies me. He then shifts his attention to my best friends who are staring right back at him.
He opens his mouth to say something, but I turn to my friends and say, “Let’s go to my room.”
Marie and Sebastian take the hint and waste no time to get to my room. As I shut the door and turn on the lock, I breathe out a sigh of relief, knowing that I can openly talk to my friends without worrying about anyone hearing us.
“Hope isn’t replying to my texts.” Marie announces in panic. “That has never happened before.”
Her lips wobble and Sebastian quickly engulfs her in his arms. “Don’t think the worst, baby.”
“It is theworstwhen someone doesn’t return your messages and calls. I know from experience.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs.
Marie looks up at him and shakes her head. “It’s in the past. You’re here now.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kisses him.
Fortunately, one kiss doesn’t turn into a make out session—for which I’m so fucking grateful for.
“I think you’ll like my idea, Blondie,” I say as I take a seat on the back of the couch. “In fact, you might be the only one who’ll go with me.”
“What idea?” Her interest piqued. That’s exactly what I need.
If Marie agrees, Sebastian will have no choice but to agree with her. He’s so in love with her that he can’t refuse her.
“Heath,” Sebastian hisses as he glares at me.
Marie looks between us as we stare at each other.
“What’s going on, guys?”
“Heath, don’t do it.” Sebastian warns me.
I want to scream at him that if the roles were reversed, he would have done the same thing. He would have gone to Marie no matter what. It wouldn’t matter what kind of monster would be in his way, he would have crossed him to get to his girl.
Yes. That’s the thing.
Hope is my girl.
I fix my gaze on Marie. “You and I are going to Hope’s house to make sure she’s okay.”
Marie gains some color in her skin. “Yes! We should?—”
“No! You two arenotgoing anywhere. It’s dangerous.”
Marie and I both look at Sebastian who seems to become the voice of reason today—he always is. I hate that he’s always right.
“But, Sebastian?—”
“No! Marie. You are not going. I’m not letting you go to her house where that monster lives.”
“But you’ll be with me. I’ll be safe.”
“That fucker twisted the whole story and pressed charges on Heath that had him spent a night in cell. If his father didn't have money he’d be in a courthouse today.” He heaves a heavy breath. “Do you even realize how sensitive this matter is?”
