“Is it too early to get Lou?” he asked, already knowing what I needed. Linc’s parents had made sure that Quinn took her back to their place for a sleepover.
“She’ll be awake. It’s your parents I’m concerned about. Abby was at the hospital with us well past 3 a.m.,” I replied.
Having Linc and his family with me, knowing they were looking after Lou and helping run interference with the cops, was a huge relief.
Max had his share of awful moments over the years, but this? There was no coming back from what had happened. There wasn’t any sort of future where I was comfortable being alone with or having my child alone with him.
“Oh, please. Mom was having the time of her life last night.The gossip queen is probably already up, phoning all her friends.”
I snorted, remembering Abigail’s barely restrained glee at informing us about what she had overheard.
“My darlings! I have something to tell you, but it comes with an R rating or a content warning… Whatever people say,” she had declared, swooping into the hospital room with coffee cups and a very uncomfortable-looking Mason behind her.
“Mom…” he warned, and she hushed him quickly.
“Now, I know you both probably have your own opinions on what sort of punishment Max should get for what he did. I’m not here to argue any of that. I trust the judicial system, and I trust the law to do their jobs. That being said, the system is not known for its speed. So, in the meantime, this might give you some level of comfort. Mason and I just happened to overhear a bit from the nurse taking care of Max. Do you want to know what he will be going through the rest of the night…?”
“You’re burying the lead here, Mom. What did you hear when you eavesdropped?” Linc asked.
“Max was drugged with… erection medication.” She whispered the term like it was some scandalous name or a tawdry title my mother barely believed she was saying out loud. Then she continued, her eyes wide and expressive.
“Apparently, Nat was slipping it to him without his knowledge, and he had an overdose. It won’t… go down. He has to spend the night getting it drained. I was promised that it’s a slow, uncomfortable, and traumatic process.” Both Linc and Mason winced as they processed the news.
A giggle escaped me. I tried to smother it, but it just wound up coming out as an undignified snort. Soon, all of us were laughing. The image of Max handcuffed to a bed with his member out for everyone to see was very satisfying. He deserved the embarrassment, the vulnerability, and the forced display.
“What will that mean, though? If this goes to court? Can he use the drugs as an excuse, get out of any punishment for what he did to Sophie?” Linc asked, and all levity left the room.
“There’s a lot we still don’t know. I think the best thing for now is everyone go home and get some sleep. We can reconvene tomorrow. Give it some time, touch base with the detectives and Walt,” Mason suggested. I could tell by how tense Linc’s body was that he wasn’t thrilled with that answer.
“Thanks, Mason. That makes sense. I think I can go home now? We’re just waiting on the discharge papers,” I told the room.
Over the next hour, we slowly departed the hospital with plans to meet up after we all got some sleep.
It was just after 7 a.m. when we finished our coffee, and in silent agreement, we both started getting dressed so we could go pick up Lou. I needed my girl, needed my whole family with me.
As grateful as I was that she was safe and unaware of everything that had happened, I missed her. I knew she didn’t need to be scared or see me hurt. Now, though, I needed to see her for myself and know she was alright.
When we pulled into the driveway, I was only mildly surprised to see two cars already there. I recognized one of them as Pops’. Before we even reached the door, it was swinging open. Garrett ushered us in, closing the door quietly behind us.
“How’s our girl doing?” he asked, gently touching my shoulders as he examined my face.
“I’m alright. Nothing that some ibuprofen and good sleep won’t cure. Thank you for taking care of Lou last night. Knowing she was here and safe meant… everything.”
A lump formed in my throat. Even though I always knew Pops had my back, I was still very isolated. With my parents so far away, and no friends I considered mine and not Max’s, I hadn’t realized how lonely I was. If I didn’t have Linc and his family, I didn’t want to imagine facing all of this without them.
“Alright, then. Come in. Just put a fresh pot on. Mason and Wally are in the kitchen already. Lou is still asleep. Quinn is keeping an eye on her,” Garrett told us as we followed him into the kitchen. Pops jumped up from his seat when he saw me, then hehesitated, as if unsure how to greet me.
Not having any of that, I rushed toward him, wrapping my arms around his middle and burying my face in his chest. His arms wrapped around me, his familiar scent calming me.
“I’m so sorry, sweet Sophie. Things never should have gotten this far,” he told me. I shook my head before stepping back.
“Don’t do that, Walt. None of us knew or expected what Max did. We’re gonna have some tough decisions down the road, but I want you to be a part of them. A part of our lives no matter what, forever and ever,” I said—the words he told Lou frequently.
“Thank you,” he told me. I pressed a kiss to his cheek before pulling him back over to the table.
“Okay, I’d love some updates. Mason, maybe you can give us a condensed version? Lou sleeping this late is rare. The party and excitement of a slumber party with Quinn will only buy us so much time.” I smiled at the group as Linc passed me a cup of coffee, prepared exactly as I liked it. I took a sip and smiled at him before tucking myself into his side.
Mason cleared his throat before looking around.
