“Going to her. Where else would I go?” I chide because that was a dumb fucking question.
“Pull the fuck over and we will go together,” he orders, and I growl.
“You are not talking me out of this, Caspian,” I spit, and he laughs.
“Trust me, I won’t. If anything, I want to help,” he says, and I pull off to the nearest gas station and wait for him.
“I’m close to her house, at the gas station on the corner,” I tell him.
“Be there in five,” he says, and the line goes dead. If he’s not here on time, I’m out, and I’ll do it by myself.
A few minutes later, the rev of his engine pulling into the lot signals his arrival. He parks next to me and gets out of his truck, lighting a joint. I follow suit and lean back against my car with my arms folded over my chest. He hands me the joint, and I take it from him, bringing it to my lips, sucking in the woodsy aroma. I needed this—it helps me calm my nerves, and it seems my brother has been paying attention.
“What’s the plan, Mav?” he asks as I pass him the joint.
“I’m going to get her! It’s pretty simple,” I answer, and he laughs which makes me grit my teeth.
“That’s not a plan. That’s asking to be gunned down before you even make it out of the car, and I don’t feel like losing a brother tonight,” he says, taking a hit then passing it back to me.
“Then what do you suggest? I’m not letting her stay with them for another fucking minute, Casp. It’s been long enoughand I’m done, especially after hearing what they did to her and seeing what the fuck they did to our brother. Speaking of which.” I stop, take a hit of the joint then pass it back to him. “Why are you so calm about it? Brax is hot headed. I have anger issues but you take the cake. You are usually kill first ask questions later. So what’s up?” I question, and he chuckles.
“Axel is in an institution, Brax was just beaten and witnessed the girl we all have a thing for being raped. Harley is trying to keep it together, and you dipped. Internally, I want to burn the world for her. But you four are my main concern right now. Plus, power in numbers. I may be the most impulsive out of you all, but tonight, we need to be fucking smart,” he fires back, and he’s right. It’s just weird seeing him be level headed, but it makes sense.
“Okay, I get it. So again, what do you suggest?” I ask, taking the joint from him. I take a deep inhale and let it out slowly, then stomp it out with my sneaker. Suddenly, a few cops roll by along with an ambulance heading down Presley’s block. We both look at one another and walk towards the sidewalk to see where they stop.
“You don’t think—” he says as we see them stop and quickly get out right in front of her driveway.
“Fuck!” I yell and start running down the block with Caspian right next to me. We make it to her walkway and immediately a cop stops us.
“Can I help you boys?” he asks, and I roll my eyes.
“This is my girlfriend’s house. Is everything okay?” I ask, and he looks between us and shakes his head.
“We can’t allow you to go in there. So, you both will have to wait here until we know what is going on,” he tells us, and Caspian growls.
“What was the call for?” I ask, trying to remain calm as we watch numerous EMTs coming and going out of the front door,and officers taping off the area. I look at Caspian with wide eyes and clear my throat, hoping the officer will answer my question. “Sir, do you know what happened?” I ask again, and he huffs.
“I don’t know the full details just that it was a possible attempted suicide,” he says, and my heart drops. Then I see the EMTs bringing a body out. I run for her as the officers tackle Caspian, but I make it to her, fuck them.
“Sir, sir, I’m going to need you to give us some room,” the EMT states, but I don't. I grab her hand that's full of blood, her wrists are bandaged, and my heart just shatters. Breaks right here on this grass as I’m ripped away from her still body.
“Get the fuck off of me. That’s my girlfriend," I yell as the cops bring me to my knees. I look up and see Mr. Jake Radley Senior smirking at me. I thrash against the cop holding me down.
“Son, you need to relax,” he shouts, and I growl.
“What you need to do is arrest that prick. He raped her tonight. Arrest him!” I yell, but they do nothing. I’m lifted off the ground and thrown onto the pavement. Caspian grabs me, helping me to my feet.
“Calm down. Let’s go. We ain’t going to win this tonight!” he whispers in my ear. I turn and look at Jake Senior who is still watching us and I flip him the bird and storm off back to my car with Caspian on my tail.
“We need to go home!” Caspian growls.
“She tried to kill herself. Her hand was covered in blood and her wrist was wrapped. What the fuck?” I yell as we continue to walk.
“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” he shouts as I try to take a deep breath. Why? Why would she want to leave us? I know that's a selfish thought but I wouldn’t survive without her. That girl is my best fucking friend. My first for everything. I cannot lose her. I stop in my tracks and look at my brother.
“We need to do something. We have to get her!” I yell, and he nods, pulling me along to our cars.
“We will get her back!” he promises, and I nod.
