We hurry out of his room and down the hall. Brady’s house is so big it takes far longer to arrive at his front door than it does mine. I round the corner into the foyer first, and skid to a halt. Brady stops behind me, his front pressed against my back. His arms wrap around my waist, either to protect me or to steady himself.
Mrs. Sterling stands in the open door, her nightgown illuminated by the porch light. Two uniformed policemen stand in front of her.
“Why would she be here?” I hear her say, the irritation in her voice barely contained.
At first, I think they’re talking about Brady’s sister, but then I realize it’s probablymethey’re looking for.
“We need to talk to your son too, ma’am.”
“Brady? Why?”
“We have a few questions for both of them.”
“You can speak to my son when you tell me the nature of your questions.”
“We’re not at liberty to say right now. Please have your son call me.” He reaches into his shirt pocket and hands something to Mrs. Sterling.
I don’t know what’s going on, but I can’t have Brady getting in trouble for me. After what happened last night and today, I can’t believe my mom would send the police looking for me. She saw me leave today. She knew I’d be with either Finn or Brady and that I’d be safe either way. Why cause this kind of drama? Especially considering the whistle I could blow on her precious husband.
“I’m here,” I call out, stepping from Brady’s hold. I raise my hand, as if I’m in class and have the answer to a question.
Three gazes swing toward us. Mrs. Sterling’s mouth drops open.
“Lennon? What are you doing here?” Her questioning gaze flickers over my shoulder to Brady. “Why is she here, Brady?”
“She needed a place to stay, Mom. Calm down. Everything’s okay.”
She gestures at the two men in the doorway. “Apparently not.”
“I’m really sorry,” I say to her as I walk forward. “I never thought my mom would call the police to come get me. I’m eighteen.”
I reach Mrs. Sterling’s side. Brady has followed me, and he’s standing behind me once again. I look at the officers standing there. One is tall and thin, the other just a few inches shorter and stockier. Neither looks angry, and aside from their overall persona, neither looks incredibly intimidating.
“I’ll come with you,” I tell them, stepping around Mrs. Sterling.
“We need both of you,” the stockier one says. He nods at Brady.
I’m confused. “Why would you need Brady?”
Mrs. Sterling is saying something in protest too, but I can’t understand it over the blood rushing through my ears. How could my mother make Brady a part of this?
“We’ll talk about that at the station. For now, we’d just like your cooperation.”
I step forward. This doesn’t feel real. I could be outside of my own body, watching as I step over the threshold of the immaculate Sterling home and into the desert heat.
The tall officer falls into step beside me. I glance back. The shorter one walks beside Brady. Brady meets my gaze, shrugging in bewilderment. Mrs. Sterling walks quickly alongside Brady.
“Brady, don’t say a word,” she instructs, her tone urgent. “I’m calling your father. And our lawyer. Not a word without our lawyer present. Do you hear me? Not a word.”
He nods.
We reach the police car and the tall one holds open my door. “You’re not being arrested. We just have some questions.” He motions for me to climb in, and I do.
The doors close simultaneously, and I jump. Brady looks at me, and his hand stretches across the seat, pulling mine from my lap and enveloping it.
He’s so calm, and I’m not.
I have no idea what this is about, and I have a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.
