AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I rush to my backpack and see that it's Amy. I accept the video call, noting her tears. "Amy?"
Austin.She signs.
"What's wrong?" Panic edges into my voice but she can't hear it. Coach does. Questions move into his eyes. She can lip read better than anyone I know. She'd mastered it very quickly, having no other option.
Dad. It's Dad.
I hold my breath. I really don’t need this. Not with all the other shit going on in my life.
He's had a heart attack.
My mind goes blank for more than a second. I hadn't expected that. I don't know how to feel about it either. He isn’t dead, and I’d rather that be the reason for the call.
It sounds cruel, but it’s the truth.
Kit takes my cell so I have both hands free to sign. I love my crew. You don’t need to ask for something, they just know how to support you.Where is he?
The hospital.
It's an obvious place to be when you’ve had a heart attack. I don’t sign that because I know that it will piss her off. There's no way I'm going there.I'll be at the house later this morning.I respond.That's the best I can offer, or the one I’m willing to give. I want to be there for my sister, and only my sister, but I'm not pushing the boat into areas I don't feel comfortable with. A boat full of holes and when it comes to my family, the water is murky.
Actually.
The boat has already sunk.
Amy flicks at her tears, and I see something swirl within the smoke.Austin....he's been drinking.
For fuck’s sake. I sigh.Call me if things change.
If he dies, I’ll be turning the truck right back around.
Okay.
I hang up and look at Coach, but I see that an explanation isn’t needed. He nods. "Go. Call me later to tell me what's happening and how long you'll be."
I nod my thanks and turn to my crew.
"Do you need company?" Lucas asks, concern moving over his features.
I shake my head. Going home is hard enough without one of the boys seeing how bad things actually are. I'm close tothe crew, but I have skeletons even they don't know about. I can't remember the last conversation I'd had with either of my parents and my crew don't need to witness this one.
"The keys to my RAM are in the bowl," Kit informs me.
"Thanks, man."
We generally use Kit's truck when we need to head outside of Boston. It's a rare occurrence, but not unusual.
"How many hours is it to Maine?" Sawyer throws my backpack at me.
I think about the last time I'd made the journey. "Four hours or so." I need those four hours to gather myself before I walk into the past. When had I visited them? I’d walked out as soon as I’d got my scholarship to Boston Brooks. Three years? Jesus. This is going to be unpleasant.
"Keep us informed." Sawyer nods, already escorting me out of the boathouse.
"Right, to the water," Coach directs.
I leave to the sound of them hitting the cold stuff, and I've never wanted that calm more in my life.
Snakes move through my gut when I’m around thirty minutes from the house. I wish I had better memories but since the age of nine this place has been hell on earth. My parents have lived here since they'd married in their teens, and I really don’t see the appeal. I’d always wanted to get out here, even before Matt.
