AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’d never let you go through this alone.” Aaron drops his hand on top of Mackie’s.
Sarah puts her hand on top of Aaron’s and smiles at me. “You in, Rae baby?”
I put my hand on top of hers. “I love you guys. I guess let’s do this.”
We all lift our hands up at once and Sarah climbs off the bed. “Better go tell Mom and Dad.”
“Yeah, we should.”
Aaron looks at me, then glances at everyone else. “Give us a minute, okay?”
Everyone nods and follows Sarah out of the room.
Aaron drops his head against mine. “You can do this.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you for being here.”
He smiles mischievously. “Don’t you know I’d do anything for you?”
We both chuckle. “Back at ya, Ace. Come on, let’s go.”
Everyone looks up when we enter the room. Mom and Dad both stand up. They’re not making me feel calm about this.
I glance up at Aaron, and he immediately wraps his hand around mine. I take a steadying breath.
I can do this,I tell myself.
“I want to do this. As long as the five of them can be with me. I don’t want to do it alone.”
Mom steps over to me and takes my hand. “That’s fine. We’ll make it work.”
“I’ll call George right now,” Dad says, referencing the local lawyer that all of our parents have used for years.
An awkward, uncertain silence follows after Dad leaves the room. I’m nauseous, and the intensity of this room is making my skin crawl.
“I spoke with George,” Dad says, returning to the room after what feels like hours, and causing me to jump. Aaron squeezes my hand tighter, telling me to calm the fuck down.
Hah. Yeah, right.
“He talked with one of the detectives he knows at the police station. He agreed to come to the house and take everyone’s statements. George will be present to help guide you all through answering the questions. I’m going to go call the rest of your parents and give them a heads-up as well.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say quietly.
He nods and leaves the room. Awkwardness ensues again.
I don’t need this right now. I need fun, entertainment. Where’s Jesse when you need him?
It takes almost an hour for George and the detective to get to the house. My stomach twists into knots with each passing minute. Reliving this again?Again?I don’t want to.
Right before the questioning—or whatever is about to happen—begins, Aaron pulls me aside and into his arms.
“Breathe. I know you’re scared, but I’m going to be right here. If you get upset or you need a minute, just squeeze my hand. I’ve got you.”
I hold him tightly and breathe deeply. I know he’s got me. He always does. I trust him with everything inside me. “Thank you,” I breathe.
“You don’t have to thank me for this. I’m always here for you. I—”
“Rae, we’re ready for you.”
