“Hey—”
“Are you okay? What’s up?”
“Don’t freak out; just listen.”
“You can’t tell me not to freak out and then expect me not to freak out. What’s wrong?”
“Chase called me this morning and was upset. He said he needed help, and something in his voice just didn’t sound right. So I went right over and… He had tried to commit suicide, Hollis. His arm was cut, and he had taken a bunch of pills—”
“Is he okay? Is he alive?”
“Yes, I called an ambulance immediately, and they rushed us to UCLA. Your dad is here now, and Kristin is on the way. Chase is okay.”
“Thank God. Okay… I’m on my way.”
“Don’t drive, Hollis. Let Steve or someone bring you.”
“Steve’s right here. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
With that, he was gone, and the phone line went dead. I took a few minutes for myself and poured some water from the water dispenser into a cone-shaped paper cup. I filled it and drank it three times before I went back to Chase.
Kristin was here now and sitting on the side of the bed with Chase and Charles. The counselor sat in a chair and spoke in a hushed tone. I felt awkward and wasn’t sure if I should stand back and give them space, or if I should go stand by the bed. It wasn’t that I didn’t feel like I was a part of their family, but this was a delicate situation. Charles made eye contact with me and gestured with his head toward the empty chair closest to the small table beside the bed. I took the seat and turned my focus on Chase as he talked to his parents. I didn’t even realize Hollis had arrived until I felt his hand on my shoulder.
I looked up at him and then started to stand to offer him my seat. He put his hand on my chest and shook his head to keep me from giving him the chair.
My leg bounced nervously while I listened to the counselor, Charles, Kristin, and Chase talk. The more I listened, the worse all of this sounded. The police had been informed about Perry’s porn photography ring, and Heather said they’d be stopping by later to get a report filed. I prayed Hollis would be able to keep it together, mainly for Chase and Kristin’s sake.
Soon, one of the nurses came over to tell Heather that a room for Chase was ready. Hollis and I moved into the hallway and then followed behind the nurses as they pushed his bed down the hallway. Charles and Kristin walked on the same side of the bed, and Kristin held onto Chase’s hand. Steve and Jacobi from Hollis’ security team walked a few feet behind us. When the nurses pushed the bed into the elevator, it was evident there would only be room for Kristin and Charles to ride with them.
“We’re going up to the fifth floor. When you get off the elevator, go left and his room will be right across from the nurses’ station. The room number is five-ten,” one of the nurses said to us.
We waited for the next elevator to arrive, and then Steve and Jacobi rode up to the fifth floor with us. Hollis crossed his arms over his chest, and I could feel the anger radiating off of him.
“Can you guys make sure additional security is added for Chase while he’s in the hospital? I don’t want anyone going near him unless it’s family or medical staff.”
“Of course,” Steve said.
Steve and Jacobi stayed outside of Chase’s room, and they were working with the security company to arrange security coverage. Hollis seemed like a bomb ready to go off at any moment. He was quiet and almost rigid. Though, I suppose finding out your brother almost killed himself would cause that kind of reaction.
Morgan arrived shortly after Chase ate some soup and crackers for dinner. And not too long after that, the police arrived to take Chase’s statement and file the report. I understood the sense of urgency in order to get that creep off the street. There was a good chance that Chase and Haley weren’t the only victims.
Watching Kristin and Charles listen to many of the disturbing details was horrible. Morgan was able to maintain some composure to help keep Chase and their parents calm. Hollis sat on the bed with Chase while he shared his story with the officers.
“You guys don’t need to stay. Kristin and I will be here all night with him. Chase needs some rest, and with so many people in here, it might prevent him from relaxing. We’ll call you boys in the morning,” Charles said.
“Alright,” Morgan said as he sidestepped his dad and went over to the bed. He patted Chase’s leg over the blanket and then sat next to him. “Get some rest, bub.”
“I will.”
“I love you, Chase. No matter what. Got it?” Morgan asked while he rubbed the top of Chase’s head. Chase nodded and then looked down.
Hollis took his spot next to Chase, and the second he sat down, Chase started to cry. Hollis wrapped his arms around Chase and held him while he cried.
“I’m sorry, Hollis. I didn’t want anyone wrecking your career. I tried—”
“Shh, stop it. You don’t have to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong. Not a damn thing. I’m so sorry all of this has happened. I’m not at all mad at you. I love you so much, and I’m so glad you called Patrick. I will be back in the morning.”
“No, man. You have your training. Your fight is in a few weeks with Brendan Rowe,” Chase said.
