Chapter 35
We get back home, and I get a chance to check my phone. It’s full of missed calls and messages from Memphis and Saint, and there are a few from Pops too.
“You okay?” Drake asks as I scroll through the texts and WhatsApp messages. “Do you want me to ruin him financially?"
“No, it’s too much. The guy’s a total arsehole, but it could backfire.” I wave my phone at him. “I need to call Memphis.”
He claps me on the back. “Your call, bro. Today was fun.” I watch him walk to his car and again wonder what really goes on with him. Whatever it is, I’m grateful for his help.
It takes me ten minutes of catching up on all the messages and calling Saint.
“Your boy was calling around today. I hope me lying to him was worthwhile. Noah is not happy with me.” Saint’s disgruntled voice greets me. I groan. There’s nothing he hates more than upsetting his boy. He’ll move heaven and earth to make Noah happy.
“It was, and I’ll apologise to Noah at brunch tomorrow. Thanks though, bro.”
Five minutes later, it all comes crashing down on me. Memphis thinks I’ve cheated, that I’ve found someone else. Fuck!
When I call him back, there’s nothing. It’s dead. What the hell do I do now?
Brunch the next day is a nightmare. Pops is livid with me. “I can’t believe you turned your phone off. Couldn’t you have simply answered, saying you were out with your brothers? Told him you’d call him later? He cried, Royal. That’s all on you, so sort it.”
“Hey, Pops, it had to be done. The guy’s a prick.” Knox jumps in to help me.
“Not by ignoring the man he loves,” Pops snaps at Knox.
“Loves?” Saint raises his eyebrows at Pops. “It’s a bit early for that. In case you haven’t noticed, Memphis broke it off.”
“Of course they are in love. Royal will have to prove it to him that it isn’t over,” Pops says with a finality none of us dare contradict. He’s right too. I love that stubborn, determined man, and I’m going to prove it to him.
The school year has finally finished; the last event is the year eleven prom.
The girls have splashed out on beautiful dresses.
I can’t imagine how much they cost. Noah is with me, and we’re chaperoning, but very loosely.
As long as no alcohol makes its way inside the very smart golf club the school has hired for the night.
“They all look amazing, don’t they,” I say to Noah.
“You know most of those dresses cost like four-hundred quid, maybe more. Did you know that the school has a fund to help the kids who have no chance of buying one,” he says.
My phone rings from the inside pocket of my jacket. I frown at the unknown number, ready to ignore it. But it could be Memphis. I turn to Noah. “I’ve got to take this.”
I walk out into the foyer and answer. “Hello.”
“Hey, is this Royal?” asks a voice I don’t recognise.
“Yes, who’s this?”
“It’s Finn, Memphis’ friend. Have you heard from him today?” He sounds a bit panicky.
“No, nothing since he left a voicemail on Saturday.” Why is he calling me?
“Have you really found someone else? Because if you have, then you’re a total fucking bastard and a coward, and you can go to hell.
But not until you tell me if he’s called you tonight.
He went to collect a pizza over an hour ago and hasn’t come back.
According to the pizzeria, he didn’t collect it. ”
Now I understand the panicking. “No, I haven’t got anyone else. Memphis is it for me. What happens when you call his phone? Has he got a new number? I can’t get hold of him.”
“Yeah, he threw his other one at the wall. Okay, I’m back to square one. Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“Apart from being a stupid dick, I went up to Lincoln with two of my brothers to have a word with his ex. To warn him off Memphis.”
“You drove all the way here and didn’t come and see him? What a fucking shitty thing to do. You really are an arsehole, and you don’t deserve him.”
“You’re right, but that’s not going to help you find him.” Could what we did to Mansbridge tip him over the edge? He could have him hostage. “Is Mansbridge up to taking him? He was furious when we left.”
“Yes, he’s totally able to do this. I’ll go to his house.”
“No, call the police. Wait, no, don’t do that yet; they won’t take you seriously. You know Mansbridge has record for violence?”
His silence tells me the answer—no, he didn’t know. How the hell can I get there quickly? There isn’t an easy way. “I’ll get Matt to take me, and before you start telling me I’m a dick, he’s changed. He’ll do this for me.”
“I’m at my school prom until eleven. I can be on the road as soon as it’s done. It’s going to take me about three hours, maybe less if the roads are quiet.” I look towards the ballroom, and Noah is there, his phone glued to his ear, his lips moving fast.
“Okay, I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Royal. Simon is a prick and hates losing anything. I’m worried, really fucking worried.”
So am I. Has messing with him sent him over the edge. He is all about appearances, so it’s a very possible chance I’ve caused this. “Keep me updated.”
I get back to Noah. “What did Saint say?” I know Noah will always keep his master updated on anything to do with the family.
“He’s on his way here; you can leave as soon as he gets here. Drake will drive you.”
It’s only fifteen minutes until two of my brothers pull up. It’s a good thing we’ve got a good relationship with the school through the gym. Saint standing in for me won’t cause any problems.
I give Saint a hug and climb into Drake’s black BMW 7 series coupe. “Ready?” he asks as I slide my seatbelt over my chest and click it into place.
“Is this another part of you we’re not allowed to ask about?” I say, but I’m not really in the mood for talking.
“Yeah, we’ll save it for another day. We’re not going to hang around on the road. I’m hoping to cut a lot of time off the journey.”
“I’m leaving it up to you. I’m going to keep in contact with Finn.”
I don’t get an answer from Finn for another hour. “Talk to me,” I say as soon as we’re connected.
“We haven’t found him yet. Simon’s house is all dark, but I think he may be in there and ignoring the doorbell. I’m trying to call both their phones. If I can hear any ringing, then I’ll keep trying to get in.”
Drake seems to pick up even more speed. I don’t know how he’s going to keep us clear of any speed cameras or unmarked patrol cars.
I trust him though. The miles click by, and Finn doesn’t call at all, so I’m guessing there’s nothing to tell me.
I sit more upright in my seat as we get into the city.
It’s late now, and most houses are shrouded in darkness as the homeowners sleep.
Ten minutes later, we’re back outside Mansbridge’s house.
There’s no sign of life from it or any sign of Finn, until a car door opens, the internal light illuminating the young man getting out.
The driver’s door stays shut. What’s going on there?
Isn’t he interested in helping Finn find his best friend?
“Are you Finn?” I ask as he gets closer to me.
“Yeah, it’s Royal, right?” He looks exhausted. His hair is a mess from running his hands through it so many times, I guess.
I look over my shoulder at Drake; his eyes are fixed on the driver in the car. I think I’ve learnt more about my brother this week than in the last, god, ten plus years—I’m impressed, hell, I’m proud. He looks at me and nods. “Let’s get inside that house,” he says emphatically.
Finn gasps as Drake walks to the door as if it’s his own home and pulls out a set of keys from his pocket. “Can he do that?”
Can he? I’d say no, nope, no way. Do I stop him?
No, nope, no way. Instead, I walk up behind him and watch as he confidently opens the door.
Before the door opens, we hear the sound of the car revving and peeling away from the curb.
Finn’s ride just tears out like Verstappen in P1 in the last Grand Prix of the year.
“What’s up his arse?” I look at Finn, who just looks confused.
“I have no idea.” He shakes his head but shrugs. “I want to know if my friend is in there, and if he’s okay.”
Drake opens the door, and we step inside. It’s quiet the way every house should be well past midnight. Drake holds up his hand, stopping us from moving any further. With a cock of his head, he moves to the stairs, obviously listening for something—anything. “He’s here.”
How does he know? Another thing I don’t want to know, but I ask. “Where?”
My heart is in my throat as I follow him up the stairs. I want to turn the lights on, but because Drake hasn’t, I don’t ask. When we stop outside of the only door with a dull light shining underneath, I take a breath.
Now’s the moment Drake turns on the light, and the sight of my boy covered in bruises and blood has me ready to scream. Finn sobs, a keening cry behind me.
I crouch down on the floor to get close to my boy. “Memphis, it’s me. You’re gonna be okay.”
He flinches as I swipe his hair from forehead. I don’t know where to touch him, there seems to be bruises all over his body. His left eye flickers, so swollen I’m not sure if he can see anything with it. “Everything hurts,” he mumbles through split lips.
Then he says words that break my heart.
“This is your fault.”