Page 29 of Shattered Dreams

“Close your eyes,” I tell him.

“Dad…”

“Close your eyes, Maddox!” I say, sharper than I mean to. He doesn’t argue, though.

I turn the car on, take a deep breath. The scent of fire and fear fill my lungs.

How could this happen?

How the fuck does the most perfect day turn into the worst?

My hands shake as I grip the steering wheel with one hand and turn the ignition with the other. But I can’t find it in me to move.

I swallow hard; the panic rising within me as I realize what’s happening, and reach for my phone.

I don’t know what to do, but I know there’s one person who will.

Chapter Eleven

Andre

When your phone rings in the middle of the night, it’s never anything good.

Only, it isn’t that late and it’s Paul who’s calling me. Maybe he just wants to chat.

I consider sending it to voicemail because I’m beat from being in the sun all day. After getting Rylee settled into bed, I laid on the couch to watch TV and fell asleep. I can’t remember what I was dreaming about, but it was good. Calm. I feel rested even though I haven’t been asleep long. An hour, maybe?

Something in my gut tells me to answer the phone. What if he needs something? What if something is wrong? And even if it isn’t, maybe he just wants to talk, and I like talking to him. He’s my best friend.

“Hey,” I answer.

“Dre—”

I shoot up, knowing immediately that something is wrong. I can tell by the tone of his voice.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my heart already beating a mile a minute.

“My apartment… there was a fire… and I—fuck.”

“Are you okay? Are you hurt? Is Maddox okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. We’re fine. But our stuff… everything. It’s just… gone. I…”

“Where are you?”

“Parking lot. Sitting in my car.”

“Can you drive? Do you need me to come get you?”

My heart beats harder, panic swimming in my veins.

He doesn’t answer.

“Paul?”

“Yeah, I’m here. I’m sorry, I just…”

“Don’t be sorry. Where are you going? Why don’t you come back here? You and Maddox can stay.”