“Are you okay, Heath?” Mom asks.
“I’m fine,” I reply and look out of the moving car. I didn’t even realize when Dad started driving. I’m bewildered that he didn’t drag a driver with him. Usually he has one who drives him everywhere, but not today.
“You look mad,” Mom says.
I glare at her.
She smiles which reminds me of Hope. Fuck. I can’t survive not seeing her until Monday. I need to be at her house.
Mom frowns in worry and it punches my heart. Seriously, where did my anger go?
“Can you tell us what happened? You spent a night in jail… what did you do?”
I swallow hard and look away when I catch Dad’s eyes in the rear view mirror.
Unfortunately we’re stopped at a red light so all the attention is on me.
A minute passes. Then another.
Five minutes later and I don’t answer them.
I can’t tell them about Hope. They won’t understand it. My feelings towards her are so strong and real, I feel them in my chest and the rest of me. She consumes me deeply and completely. There’s no escape from her; not that I want.
I’m falling into her. It should be scary but I’m not afraid. I want her. I don’t care that she comes with an abusive father and a controlling mother. I want her troubles and problems and issues. I want everything she can give me and I’ll take care of her. I want to take care of her.
Fuck.
How did I get here?
One day I collided with her in the hallway, and the next I was searching for her in crowds just wanting to see her again. Even if it were a mere glimpse. Whenever I’d see her I wanted to be close to her, talk to her and just fucking stare at her for hours not only because she was beautiful—that she is—but there’s such softness to her face that I want to protect her and just hold her. Yeah. Me. I like hugs now. Every little moment with her is a shot of comfort, light and peace. I want to take it and get drunk on it.I want her like I’ve never wanted anyone. Talking to her about my sister is easy, not because she only listens to me but also understands me. I feel like I can lower my walls around her and she’ll quickly reach for me and wrap me up in herself. She’s my safe place.
The car ride goes in silence as we reach the mansion. Dad parks in the driveway where Derek is waiting in his prim and proper uniform and opens the door for me.
“It’s good you’re back from jail, sir.”
That’s a fucking snide remark.
“It was one night,” I grumble as I get out.
He shuts the door. “It could’ve been more. Be grateful that Mr. Travon got here on time.”
I’m about to answer him when I hear my parents talking.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry,” Mom says to Dad who’s helping her out.
“You don’t look fine,” he protests.
Wrapping his arm around her tiny frame he holds her to him. Against him she looks small, and breakable. But he looks at her and holds her with such delicateness.
This is the first time I’m really seeing them. Don’t get me wrong. I’m mad at them and hate them—for abandoning me and Emery and never visiting us—but I also see them in a new light today.
“Stop fussing over me,” she taps his chest and then looks around as if searching for someone. “Where’s Heath? Did he leave? Xavier?—”
The sheer panic in her voice makes me come around so I’m standing right in front of her.
Before I can say a word, I figure she’s breathing heavily and her hand is tightly holding onto her diamond necklace.
Dad frowns. Shooting me a glare, he says, “Go inside and wait for us.”
