“Jed…has he?”
“No, but the police are looking for him, and they know he might come back here. For what I really can’t say, Christian. What the hell could he want with me? I’m not that kid anymore.”
He shrugs, clearly unsure how to proceed with the heavy topic that lies between us. Gripping me by the shoulder, he looks at me with that familiar big brother look I hadn’t realised I missed.
“The fucker won’t stand a chance now, Jamie. You have too many people fighting in your corner this time.”
Now it was my turn to weep. All I have ever wanted was understanding. A place to be myself. My true self, which was accepted and loved, and those feelings returned to the ones I cared deeply about.
I just wished Jed wouldn’t show face now. It wasn’t fair. None of what he did to me was.
Chapter 46
Jamie
It’s Sunday, which means it’s my weekly fun day with Raj to spend our money on junk, then complain about having no money while we slurp ridiculously expensive banana milkshakes. On the way back, I get a text from Arnie, and I know as soon as I read it telling me to stay away from the house that Jed has finally made his appearance.
“Raj, can I tell you something?” I hadn’t intended to tell him anything; I just wanted this day of fun before my future unfolded before me.
“Of course, you can tell me anything, Jamie. Didn’t I tell you like a bazillion times I was your new bestie today?”
Unsure of how Freddie will take that news, I briefly have an image of them fighting in Jello over me, and I roll my eyes at my brain’s complete inappropriateness given the situation. Raj is just so likeable, and I hope he still wants to be my (second) bestie when I tell him about Jed.
“So, it’s a long story, but the gist of it is that I need to get back to my house. My stepdad is on the run from the police and has been trying to find me. I think he’s appeared, and I can’t leave Arnie to deal with it himself,” I say in one long drawn out breath.
Raj watches me for a moment, then nods.
“Right, let’s get to the car. I’ll drive there as fast as I can, and we can kick his ass if he’s causing bother. You get the police on the phone while I’m driving. My cousin is an officer, so if you getinto any bother, tell them to get there fast. Tell them Raj says, Get fucking moving!”
I blink back shock and amusement at Raj’s brazen plan and can’t help but admire his bold commitment to helping me when he barely knows me.
“Don’t get that look, Jamie. Take the help. I’m your friend; I want to help. Now get in the car. We’ve got your stepdad to deal with.”
With that, I run after him to the car park, dialling the police on my way and hoping Arnie isn’t in any trouble.
Knowing Jed, he probably has a weapon.
***
Arnie
“Time to sort this shit out once and for all,” I state, knowing, regardless of what happens next, Simmons will have my back.
About an hour after Jamie left, waving from Raj’s car, there was a call to my cell from an unknown number. When I answered, there was nothing but heavy breaths for a moment, then an ugly, crackling voice telling me I was a dead man walking and whoever it was, he was coming for Jamie. Christian had gone to work at a local cafe. The coincidence of them both being gone had me wondering if it was Jed’s plan all along to hurt me to get to him.
Simmons had been over, helping me out with my new job’s paperwork as I was finishing up my last few weeks at the university. Thankful that he was here with me when the call ended and heavy banging started on the front door.
With a plan of action ready, Simmons runs out the back door as I quickly send off a text to Jamie telling him to stay away from the house until I tell him it’s safe. I then stalk to the front,swinging it open just in time to see Jed attempting to smash his bat into the door window.
“Oh no, you don’t, you fuck,” I shout, shoving him back as Simmons runs behind him. He grabs him by the waist and pulls him up as I grab the bat from him, throwing it inside behind me. A loud thud echoes as it rolls down the hallway.
“Get off me, you FAGGOT!” he screams, spitting at me as he thrashes in Simmons’ hold. But Simmons is huge; this homophobic asshole isn’t going anywhere.
My fists balled tight, I lose that last bit of control, ramming one of them into his gut. He grunts in response to the blow, but it shuts him up for now.
“I don’t take kindly to homophobic abusers like yourself, Jed. I won’t allow you in my home if you carry on trying to fight. I’ll hogtie you outside and leave my neighbours to watch you until the police get here,” I spit at him, my eyes scorching with venom and hate.
This dumb fuck has messed with the wrong guys if he thinks I’m giving up the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Jamie deserves nothing but love, not a life with an abuser. He has a world of community to help him sort out this piece of shit, and I’ll be damned if my boy ever has to do it alone.
