AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Does Mom know?”
“Nope. She’d already left for the ER.”
Becca stared at those numbers, as if they’d somehow shift into an essay on where he’d been this time.
Becca had been eleven when he’d left, in school and blissfully oblivious until she got off the bus that afternoon. Even then, her mom didn’t drop the bomb until that weekend. Becca still felt like an idiot—believing some crap about a business trip. For days, she’d believed it.
But he was gone. He’d been gone. He’d woken up in the morning, gotten a phone call, and said he had to leave.
And then he didn’t come back.
He pretended to give a crap, calling twice a year to ask about her life, but it wasn’t like it made a difference. She used to make lists, so she could detail every accomplishment, tell him every way she’d be a perfect daughter when he came back. He made the right sounds, said the right words of encouragement, but then she’d beg him to come home, and he’d sigh and say he had things to take care of. When she’d been in middle school, it all sounded very exciting and mysterious. Like he was some kind of secret agent.
She knew now he’d played to that, strung her out on whispered conversations and empty promises.
What a dick.
She used to keep the ringer volume all the way up so there was no way she’d miss a call—because he never left a message, never left any way to get in touch with him.
Until now.
Staring down at his number, Becca wasn’t quite sure how to react.
So she crumpled up the note, tossed it into the trash can, tied up the bag, and took it out to the curb. Her heart was pounding, but she told it to knock it off.
Then she walked back into the kitchen and grabbed her plate from the microwave.
Quinn was staring at her, waiting for Becca to talk. Waiting to follow some lead.
Becca dropped into her chair. “So.” She picked up her fork. “What’s this drama about your mom’s candle party?”
CHAPTER 4
Chris couldn’t breathe. A hand was clamped over his mouth, pressing his head to the pillow.
Darkness cloaked the room, but other than night, he had no concept of time. He thought of Tyler pinning his arms, holding him down while Seth threw punches. He came out of sleep with fists swinging.
He struck something. His assailant grunted. A hand caught his wrist and trapped it against the bed.
“Jesus Christ, Chris,” a voice breathed into his ear. “It’s just me, you idiot.”
Chris stopped fighting, and the hand came off his mouth.
“Keep quiet,” Gabriel said.
Chris stared up at him, trying to make out features in the darkness. The storm still raged outside, rain slamming against the siding, wanting to be part of his panic.
“What the hell are you doing?” he whispered, trying to convince his heart to slow.
Lightning flashed, lighting up Gabriel’s expression and making his eyes glow for a moment. “I thought maybe we’d give Tyler a little warning of our own.”
Chris felt his heart kick back into action. “You’re crazy.”
“Am I?”
Said by the brother who’d just woken him by suffocation. Chris glanced at the clock on his dresser. It was half past one. “Just—go back to bed.”
Gabriel ruffled his hair. “Aw. Scared?”
