We follow him, only to see that her room has been completely trashed.. The walls have been spray-painted black, the words ‘USED WHORE’ sprawled across the back wall. What hurts the most is the ripped-to-pieces plush aubergine – the one I won for us – discarded in the middle of the room, the stench of piss wafting in the air.
“I can’t leave her apartment like this. The landlord won’t give her the deposit back. While she doesn’t need the money, this was hers. I don’t want her to know about this.” I hang my head.
“You, Cas and Nate go and meet the girls and make sure they’re okay. Rafe, Archie and I will get the apartment cleaned up and the rest of her stuff out of here after we call the police.” My brothers surround me for a hug, and once again, I am thankful they’re all a bunch of busy bodies.
**********
I drive us over to where the girls are having lunch, and as I park up, I see them through the window, heads thrown back in silent laughter.
“She’s going to hate herself if I tell her what happened.” I don’t want to, but something inside of me insists that I shouldn’t keep this from her.
“You’ve got to let her make her own mind up about this, Cole, no matter how much you want to protect her. If you cage her, she’s going to break free.” Nate trails off. I make a mental note to check up on him; the longing in his voice is clear.
“Cas, has Vik come back to you yet?” I ask, but he shakes his head, his eyes showing how sorry he is that he can’t help.
“What a mess. All because one person is selfish enough to ruin another's life.” Cas says as he looks around the room.
I get out of the car, and my brothers follow.
Lacey spots me through the window, and her eyes light up. This is what it’s all about—her and my Peanut, the loves of my life.
I’m looking right at her and smile, but her face morphs. She isn’t happy anymore. Pure horror is etched all over her face. Time slows as her hands fly to her mouth. I swear tears form in her eyes.
I blink, and the world speeds up again.
Then I hear it.
My brothers’ shouts. The car horns all around us are all beeping—the revving of an engine.
My head turns to the right, but it’s too late. Pain radiates through my leg as the bumper smashes into it. I’m thrown over the bonnet, and my head smashes into the glass, cracking it.
Funny how glass looks like spiderwebs.
Time speeds up once more, and I roll down the back of the car before landing with a thud on the road.
I try to move…But I can’t.
Why can’t I move?
Then she’s here. My beautiful Lacey. My best friend. My everything.
She looks so sad. I try to tell her not to be unhappy, I’m okay, but the words don’t come out.
I want to tell her she’s made me the happiest man of all time, but I can’t move my lips. I try to convey all of that into my eyes, but I feel myself slipping.
I squeeze my eyes shut; there's so much noise, yet it’s muted. I can’t make out what they’re saying.
All I know is I’m ready to be a dad. I’m ready to love them forever.
Why is it going dark?
I can’t see anymore. I hear my name.
Cole…Cole…stay with me…I love you.
I love you, too, Lacey.
I love you, Peanut…
