Chapter 12
Olive
My forehead cools as I lean it against the plane window, closing my eyes tight.
When I saw that text from Marcus while Nate was in the bathroom, I so desperately wanted to ignore it.
Which still fills me with guilt. I’ve never felt a connection to a man like I did with Nate.
Being with him was a balm to my wounded, broken soul. I felt normal. Happy.
And most importantly, hopeful.
It’s been so long since I felt even a shred of hope. Hope that my life would be mine and not revolve around someone else. But that was shattered in seconds with just a few words.
“Oli. Not exactly the circumstances I would’ve wanted to reconnect, but good to hear from you.”
“Apologies if I don’t share the sentiment. Why would you say Benny is in trouble? What are you talking about?” I demand as I practically run down the Vegas sidewalk, narrowly avoiding knocking drunk people over. I tried to call Benny before calling Marcus, but he didn’t answer.
Marcus sighs loudly in my ear. “Your brother made some really fucking stupid decisions, and now he’s in a lot of trouble.”
“You already said that, Marcus. Why don’t you just tell me what the fuck you’re talking about so you can quit wasting my time if he’s in so much trouble?”
“You know…we used to be friends. More than friends, really, in case you forgot.”
Frustration and terror have me gritting my teeth.
I’m desperate. I need to know if he knows where my brother is and what I need to do to get him out of the situation he’s gotten himself into.
“Marcus. Just tell me what’s going on. Is he in trouble right this second?
I tried to call him, but he didn’t answer. ”
“He isn’t in trouble right this second.” He pauses, and sweat breaks out on my hairline as my anxiety, mixed with a tiny amount of relief, rises.
“And what’s going on is, your brother got involved with people I told him not.
Olive, I swear I tried to talk him out of this.
I fucked up my life, but I told him he shouldn’t. ”
“Marcus, please,” I beg, bordering on a full-blown panic attack.
“He owes my boss a lot of money. And my boss doesn’t take kindly to being owed a lot of money.”
This isn’t good. “How much money?” I whisper.
“Fuck,” he spits out, as if he doesn’t want to tell me. But he does, and I kind of wish he hadn’t. “100k.”
My feet freeze as blood rushes to my ears. Someone bumps into my shoulder, pushing me forward, and I glance over to mumble an apology. “$100,000? How?”
“Like I said, I told him not to do it. But that’s what happens when you take a bunch of drugs to sell, and you come back with no money and no drugs.”
What? My brother was going to sell drugs?
“I’ll be home early tomorrow. Can you meet me, and we can work something out?”
He sighs again. “Yeah, of course. I don’t know what we’re going to work out, but I’ll try to help you as much as I can.”
The memory of that conversation still makes me sick to my stomach.
How could Benny be so stupid?
Marcus was someone from my past who I had never wanted to hear from again.
We met in high school and dated when I was in my early twenties.
Now that I’m thirty-three, I can see what a terrible life choice being with him was.
Looking back, I’m glad I only wasted a little under a year on him.
I didn’t even know that Benny was still in contact.
I shouldn’t be surprised that Marcus began dealing drugs after we broke up, and I already knew he was one of the people who sold Benny drugs.
But to also get him involved in selling makes me livid, no matter how much Marcus claims he tried to talk my brother out of it.
Not that I would expect him to want to do right by me, but it would have been nice if he had a little bit of a conscience.
I sit back in my seat, clasping my hands between my legs.
Thinking about Benny, I let out a slow breath.
After I hung up with Marcus, I tried Benny one last time with no luck.
I then called James, who agreed to look for him.
By the time I got to the airport and boarded the plane, James still hadn’t found him.
The announcement that we’re making our final descent into Nashville pulls me from my thoughts, and I roll out my neck as I sit up straighter.
My mind takes a different turn when Nate’s smiling face fills it.
A deep sadness tightens my chest. When I wonder what he thinks of me, my stomach dips in disappointment.
He probably hates me. I wish I had handled last night differently.
I should have waited for him and explained that I couldn’t go to his room and that I had to deal with some family issues.
And I don’t even have his number to apologize.
I could ask Cade to pass along the message, but that seems like something you don’t say through someone else.
Maybe when I get back, I’ll get the opportunity to talk to him.
If he’ll even hear me out.
I squeeze my eyes shut as the wheels bump along the runway.
I have the unfortunate feeling in my stomach that my worries over Nate will pale in comparison to what I’m about to walk into.
I collect my luggage and step outside, the hot, sticky air surrounding me. Before getting a rideshare, I call Benny. Each ring frays my nerves a little more.
“Hi, this is Benny-”
I disconnect with a frustrated sigh.
I open the ride-share app on my phone and order a car to take me home. Once I drop off my luggage and pick up my car, I can start hunting for my brother.
While I’m waiting for my ride to arrive, I call James.
“Hey, Olive.”
“Hi, James. I just landed. I’m waiting for my ride to take me home. Any update on where Benny is?”
His disappointed exhale makes my shoulders drop. “No luck yet, kid.”
My face tingles with emotion as tears threaten to slip down my cheek. We both know what this most likely means.
James continues. “But I haven’t given up, and neither should you. We’ll find him and get him help.”
Again goes unspoken, but I have no doubt we’re both thinking it.
“Thanks, James. Let me know if you find anything out, and I’ll do the same.”
“Sounds good, Olive. Stay strong.”
“I’ll try.” I swipe away the tears that won the battle as my ride arrives.
I don’t tell James about Marcus. I feel so much shame about what Benny did, and I don’t even know all the details. The last thing I want is for James to give up on Benny because of it.
Twenty minutes later, I’m dragging my suitcase up the flight of stairs to my apartment. The exhaustion from the last few days is finally catching up with me, because this feels harder than usual.
Finally, I’m standing at my apartment door, key in hand. I’m not sure why this thought didn’t occur to me until just now, but the overwhelming dread of what I could potentially find on the other side almost buckles my knees.
What if Benny is inside, but there’s a reason he couldn’t answer?
My breath quickens as my mind runs through all the possible scenarios, each worse than the one before.
There’s only one way to find out.
My hand shakes as I raise it to unlock the door. Slowly, I push it open and step inside. It’s bittersweet to find the living room empty. I push the door closed, pausing briefly, placing my forehead against the cool metal.
I have to check his bedroom, but my body revolts. I take a few steadying breaths as I pivot and walk down the hall with all the false bravado I can muster. Placing my hand on the wood, I gently push it open with a creak.
Empty.
I sink against the wall in a mixture of relief and despair.
Benny isn’t here.
But where the hell is he?