“Just after seven. Everyone else is still asleep.”
I nod.
Adding milk to my coffee, I slip onto one of the bar stools and try not to think about what Gabriel and I did on this counter. God, I hope he disinfected it.
A blush steals over my cheeks, and I duck my head. Now isn’t the time for those kinds of thoughts.
I wonder what’s going to happen now.
“Do you know—” I cut myself off, too afraid of the answer to voice the question. But Julio must know what I was about to say because he answers me anyway.
“Holt’s at PacNorth medical,” he says, and I stiffen. “Under guard, so not as a free citizen.” That’s a relief. “He’s been arrested, and from the sounds of it, he’s being charged with attempted murder, assault, attempted manslaughter, and reckless endangerment. When the hospital discharges him, he’ll be transferred into police custody. After he’s booked, the judge will schedule an arraignment and we’ll go from there.”
Swallowing hard, I nod. “How long do you think until …”
“I don’t know,” he says, rubbing the back of his tattooed neck. “The hospital isn’t going to disclose his injuries to just anyone, and I doubt his parents feel like sharing.” He shrugs.“Could be a few days. Could be longer. Gabe did a number on him, but for all we know, his injuries could all be superficial. Bruises and swelling. Or it could be more serious. Broken ribs. Some internal bleeding.” Another shrug. “There’s no real way for us to know.”
Taking it all in, I try to tell myself this is a good thing. As long as Austin is recovering, he won’t have time to worry about me.
Only I don’t believe that. Austin tried drowning me all because he lost his position on the soccer team. What will he do to me now that I’m the reason he’s been arrested?
Fear sinks its claws into my skin, its icy tendrils creeping up my spine and constricting around my heart.
If he gets away with this … I swallow hard. No. I can’t think about that.
But fuck. It’s all my mind wants to think about.
“I have a friend who works at the hospital. He can’t give me details, HIPPA and all that, but he’ll give us a heads up when they get ready to discharge him.”
“Okay. That’s … that’s good.”
“Yeah.” Julio rubs the back of his neck again, a nervous gesture. “So, uh, your parents have been calling. A lot.”
I freeze with my coffee cup halfway to my mouth. “What?”
His smile is apologetic. “Your dad’s the mayor,” he says. “Someone down at the precinct let him know his daughter was assaulted yesterday. When he couldn’t get a hold of you, he started blowing up Gabriel’s phone.”
The mention of my parents' attempts to reach me sends a pang of guilt coursing through me.
“Shit.” I groan. “I left my phone on campus.” They must be so worried. I didn’t even think about letting them know about what happened. Hell, I didn’t even bother to text Mom that I wouldn’t be home last night.
Stupid. That was so freaking stupid.
Julio pulls a slim black phone out of his back pocket. “Adriana helped me out by grabbing your things from your locker when I went back last night. I turned it off,” he apologizes. “You were asleep and you needed the rest. But I spoke to your pops. He knows you’re here with Gabe and that you’re okay.”
With a mix of gratitude and trepidation, I accept my phone from Julio, its screen dark and silent, a stark contrast to the cacophony of missed calls and messages that are undoubtedly waiting for me.
“And my dad was okay with that?”
He sighs. “He wasn’t happy about it. I had to talk him out of coming here to get you, but …” he hesitates. “Your parents love you. They know you’ve been through a lot and this, it’s scary for them. But I promised them you were okay, and when I told them you were sleeping, your father agreed it was best to let you rest and recover. Though I’m sure he’s expecting a call this morning now that you’re up.”
“Thank you,” I tell him. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“It was no problem.”
A comfortable silence stretches between us and we each drink our coffee. I contemplate powering on my phone, but something tells me it’ll only push me into motion, and I’m not ready for my day to start just yet.
Mom and Dad can wait. As can the rest of the world. I still need time to wrap my head around all of this.
