“Mom mentioned that Grandma and Grandpa were going to come over tomorrow and help with some things at the house for a while,” Hollis said. “Are you able to take off from class tomorrow?”
“Easily. I’ll email my professors and let them know we’re having a family emergency.”
Morgan walked us to the door and then hugged both of us before we left. Hollis promised him we’d call him as soon as we got to our place so he’d know we made it safely. Right now, everyone was a little bit on edge and trying to take care of one another as best as we could. As soon as we got out of the neighborhood and onto the main road, Hollis started talking.
“I feel completely helpless and useless,” he said. His head was leaning against the headrest of the seat. I knew that he was physically drained from the workout today, and then he was thrown into the mentally and emotionally draining situation with Chase.
“Chase is going to need you,” I assured him.
“I have no clue as to how he feels.” Hollis slammed his fist against the armrest on the door. “No fucking clue. And the police better arrest that motherfucker before I find him.”
I stayed quiet while I drove, but I understood so much of what he felt.
Hollis
Twenty-four-years-old | November
Patrick and I leaned against the back wall of the elevator while it took us to our floor. I was so exhausted, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Not with everything going on. I still couldn’t believe this had gone on for years.
“I’ll call Morgan when we get inside and let him know we made it home,” Patrick said when we stepped out of the elevator. I nodded.
We trudged down the hallway, and I stood back to let Patrick unlock and open the door. As soon as we were inside, I pulled Patrick into my arms.
“Thank you for getting to Chase. He means so much to me,” I said as I pressed my face against his neck.
“He means a lot to me too.”
“I know he does. Thank you, Patrick.” I kissed the side of his neck and then backed out of the embrace. I sighed and headed down the hall toward my room.
“Hey, can I get you anything?” Patrick asked. I felt so out of sorts and responded kind of sharply at him. But I was angry over everything, and it started spilling over.
“How about that fucking asshole who raped and molested my brother and that girl?”
“Hollis—”
“That’s all I want. So if you can’t bring me that prick, don’t offer to get me anything.”
“Hollis, you haven’t eaten. Can I get you something light to eat?”
“No. Thanks, though.”
I walked into my bedroom and then into my bathroom. I felt another ache in my chest for how I’d just treated Patrick. I hadn’t meant to. He’d had a terrible day too.I’m sorry, Patrick. After I turned on the shower, I took off my clothes and then stepped into the large shower. I leaned forward, placed my fists on the shower wall, and looked down at the tile while the water ran down my back. All I could picture was the blood on the floor of the shower, on his bathroom counter… And that fucking knife.
Where had I lost my bond with Chase?
When had he stopped feeling like he could come to me?
When had we stopped talking?
As I went through the motions of washing myself, I couldn’t help but hear the words from my ex-girlfriend about me being selfish. According to her, everything revolved around me. Apparently, that sounded close to reality right now. I specifically remembered her saying that it was nothing short of a miracle that Morgan and Chase were doing okay. I huffed out a laugh and then shut the water off. She’d been right, though. Chase wasn’t okay. And I was so absorbed in my career and climbing the ranks at TCF that I never saw the warning signs.
I dried off and ran the towel over my wet hair before flinging it over the towel bar. Naked, I walked into my room, put some boxer briefs on, and then flopped into the bed. I stared at the ceiling and clasped my hands behind my head.
Had Mom and Dad not noticed anything out of sorts with Chase?
Had the school or teachers?
What about the damn security? Had he seemed fine when he got into the car with them?
