Chapter 5 #2
Honestly, I’d try anything at this point, so why the fuck not.
After a few careful drinks, I realize she was right.
“Where’d you learn that?” I ask, feeling braver.
After drawing my feet up, I gesture for her to sit.
Moving the chairs would wake them up, and I’m kind of enjoying how peaceful everyone seems right now.
She pulls my feet into her lap and fixes the blanket over them before answering my question.
“Food is a bit weird for me sometimes, so I’ve had to find several ways to get calories when eating is more effort than it’s worth.
That one is one of my faves; it keeps me from feeling sick and the sugar is a nice energy boost.”
It’s odd how honest she is about something that seems really personal. Not at all how I’m used to going about things, but considering she’s seen all my darkest secrets exposed over this hospital stay, it’s nice to feel like I’m not being judged.
“Where’d it come from?”
Like a habit, she looks at the pearl ring on her finger. “My husband brought us some survival supplies and threw that in just in case. Is it still warm?” I nod, it’s damn near perfectly hot. “Good. You look a little better already.”
“I feel a little better already.”
Blakely steels her facial features, and internally, I prepare for the worst. “Keep drinking then, because we need to have an uncomfortable talk and you’ll need your strength, honey.”
Surely she wouldn’t call me by a pet name if she’s about to lay into me for hurting her friends, right? “Okay, let’s do it.”
“Can you be honest with me? I know we don’t know each other well, but I’ve known your brother and Chase almost as long as they’ve known each other.
I promise I’m trying to help, but you have to be real with me so I can.
” I nod firmly. I fucking hate talks like this, but there’s too much out in the open to try and cover it all back up at this point.
“Chase wanted me to look into your ex, but before I go too deep, I need to know if you willingly went back to him.”
Goosebumps break out over my arms and I’m unable to hold back a shiver. Even thinking about him makes me want to panic. “No. He had a gun, and I didn’t know what else to do. He threatened Brady and Chase if I didn’t cooperate or ran away again.”
Blakely nods, like she was expecting something like that. “Okay. I believe you, lovebug. Can I ask you some questions about him?”
“Yeah, of course.” Chase said once she has one of the strongest spill your secrets to me so I can keep them safe vibes he’s ever seen in a person, and I laughed thinking he was being hyperbolic.
I’m starting to think that was putting it mildly.
The panic subsides when I find the calmness in her eyes.
I’m safe with these people, and I can feel it.
“Did you ever meet any of his family? What were their names?”
I rack my brain, trying to think of a time where he mentioned a name.
“No. I was supposed to go meet his mom one Christmas, but he made me stay home. I don’t think he ever said her name to me.
Just called her mom on the rare occasions he’d talk about her.
I don’t know about anyone else; he was really cagey about it. ”
“That’s okay. What about your living situation? Did he own properties or rent?”
I know that one. “He rented. We moved up and down the east coast a lot, so he always rented apartments.”
She cocks her head to the side. “Did you ever sign any of the leases with him? Or go when he was signing them?”
I take another sip of my lime jello. “No. I usually never saw the place until after he had already signed the lease. Sometimes, he’d talk about what features one had over another, but I was never there before it was set in stone.”
She hums. “You’re doing great, lovebug. Do you want a break?”
I shake my head. “I’m okay. Keep going.” The jello really is helping, though I’m sure I’ll still feel like shit once they start dialing back my pain meds.
“What about friends? Anyone he’d known for a really long time?”
My finger begins restlessly tapping on my thigh.
I want to help. I need to help. I’m painfully aware that if we don’t find him first, he will come back for me again.
And I’d never forgive myself if something happened to one of them for protecting me.
But I can’t help like she wants me to because I can’t tell her anything.
Not a single useful piece of information.
“No. He only had work colleagues he’d see semi-regularly, but none of them lasted longer than we lived in that particular area.
” After a long moment, I mutter, “I’m sorry. ”
Her face goes from open and accepting to stern in a heartbeat. “Don’t do that. Don’t apologize. Not to me or to anyone. Anything you can tell me helps, even if it doesn’t feel like it would be relevant.”
It’s embarrassing how long it takes me to remember what triggered all this to begin with. “There… there was someone else. He was really young and didn't even seem my age at first glance. I saw them get engaged in the park. It was why I left. He was cheating on me.”
She makes an appreciative, almost hopeful noise. “Could you describe him? Or would you recognize him if you saw him again?”
The details are a little hazy, but I think I’d at least be able to recognize him. “Maybe. He was blond, like me. If you told me he was a sophomore in high school, I would believe you. Big round glasses. That’s all I can remember.”
Blakely squeezes my calf. “That helps me out tremendously, lovebug. Thank you.”
This conversation has been going well, so obviously I have to ruin it. “He didn’t say anything when I woke up before.”
She takes the change-up in stride, looking over at Chase’s unconscious form fondly.
“I’m gonna stick up for my friend a bit, if that’s okay?
” When I realize she’s waiting for confirmation, I nod.
“Chase has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known.
When he cares about someone, he’s all in.
Nothing is done in halves with him. You scared him something terrible, Easton.
Not that he will hold it against you, nor will anyone else in his life, but he was bad off while you were gone.
Then being in a hospital this long, waiting day in and out for you to wake up…
It’s been so hard on him, but there’s nowhere else he would rather be because you’re here.
That means something. He may need some time to process everything, but he’s got to be allowed to feel this.
So no, he didn’t say anything earlier. But he’s still here and he will continue to be until you’re discharged. ”
She smiles at me, understanding bright in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. It was the only thing I could control.” I don’t know why I say it, maybe to put it out into the universe. Maybe just to remind myself.
“I know, sweet pea. We’re going to get through this, all of us. I promise.”
It’s not much, that little promise, but I hold on to it with everything I have.