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“I wouldn’t share with you even if we were the last two people alive during an apocalypse,” I say, scowling and grabbing the door handle.
“You know then I’d just eat you,” he says matter-of-factly. “And not the pussy kind of eating either.”
Rolling my eyes, I mutter, “Go away.”
When I finally open the door, I’m stunned to see two police officers instead of a delivery driver.
“Hello, I’m Officer Fisher, and this is my partner, Officer Schmitz. We’re looking for the family of Brandon Locke.” His tone is flat, and the second he says my boyfriend’s name, my heart stops beating.
“We’re his roommates,” Hunter answers before I can get out any words. I hadn’t even realized he was standing behind me.
“I’m his girlfriend,” I finally manage to respond. “What’s wrong? Did something happen to him?”
The officer briefly looks down before making eye contact with me. “I’m sorry to inform you this miss, but Mr. Locke’s been in a serious motorcycle accident. The paramedics were unable to save him.”
Chapter Ten
Hunter
I catch Lennon before she falls to the floor. There’s a loud shrieking sound, and I realize it’s her, screaming and sobbing. I’m on my knees, holding her up when the officer’s words repeat in my head. They don’t seem real. They can’t be. I saw him this morning before work, and now he’s…gone.
My throat threatens to close, but I push back the feeling. With Lennon crumpling in my arms, I try to be strong for her as she falls apart.
“Lennon, breathe,” I tell her softly as she gasps for air. She’s going to pass out if she doesn’t.
After a moment, Lennon’s breathing evens out, and I’m able to look back at the two men.
“What happens now?” I ask him. “His parents? Do they know?”
“He’s been transported to the medical examiner’s office, and someone there will notify his next of kin. They’ll discuss with them what happens next.”
“Wait. I should tell them. They’re like family to me, and Brandon was their only child.”
The officers look at each other again, not arguing. “We can’t tell you not to call them, but the staff may have already done so. The family will need to properly ID him and make arrangements from there.”
I nod in understanding, but that’s not going to stop me. They give us their sincerest apologies and condolences before leaving.
Lennon’s buckled over with her hands to her face. I manage to shut the door, then I hook one arm under her knees, the other behind her back, and pick her up. She wraps her arms around me, burying her face in my neck as I carry her to the couch and carefully set her down.
“Lennon…” I whisper, brushing blond hair away from her face so I can look at her. “I need your phone to call them. Mine isn’t charged.”
After a few seconds, she leans to one side and reaches into her back pocket before handing it over. She unlocks it, and I start going through her contacts, looking for Mr. and Mrs. Locke’s number. “I’m going to talk to them now. They deserve to know right away,” I tell her softly. “Do you want to speak to them after?”
She shakes her head as tears continuously roll down her cheeks. “I can’t,” she chokes out.
“It’s okay. I’ll be right back.” I don’t want to leave her, but I also don’t want her to overhear the conversation, so I walk to my room where I can speak to them privately.
Everything inside me is numb, shocked, devastated. How could this happen? Why? My best friend. He’s too young to die. He had so many dreams and aspirations with a full life ahead of him. Why the hell did he have to go? Fuck.
I don’t know how to make this phone call. I’ve met his parents dozens of times at barbecues, celebrations, and have even attended family dinners. How the hell am I supposed to tell a mother her son is dead? I wish I could, at least, do this in person, but I can’t leave Lennon right now, and the medical examiner’s office could be calling them any minute.
Choking up, I try my best to get my shit together before I call. It’s late, and they’re going to know something’s wrong the moment they realize it’s me and I’m calling from Lennon’s phone. Just as I manage to push my feelings down so I can hit their number, the doorbell rings again.
Assuming it’s the delivery guy, I ignore it. He’ll get the hint and just leave the food after a minute. But then I hear shouting.
Lennon.
Shit.
Rushing out of my room, I sprint down the hallway and immediately wrap my arms around Lennon’s waist and pull her away. She’s screaming at the guy and saying he forgot her soda and that he’s a fucking moron. The poor man is frozen in place, and I don’t take the time to explain before grabbing a hysterical Lennon and shutting the door.
