Live Again

by Brittney Mulliner

  They spoke to each other too fast for me to follow, and only after what felt like hours later did they look up at me. One of them stepped over to me. “Do you know him?”

  I kept my eyes on Carter as I answered. “Yes, we were walking home when we were attacked.”

  “We have to take him now. Are you coming with us? The police will stay to look at the scene and will come to the hospital later to ask you questions.”

  I nodded and followed as they put Carter on the stretcher and slid him into the ambulance. On our way to the hospital I sent a text to Brandon, telling him to meet us there.

  Chapter 13

  Brandon found me pacing in the waiting room. When he called my name, I ran to him, preventing him from being mad at me for just a moment. He stepped back and took in my appearance.

  “What happened, Aubrey?” His tone sent chills down my spine.

  “I went to a party with some of my friends. I was bored at home and I thought they would watch out for me.” I looked up through my wet lashes and saw him staring down at me, expressionless. “When we got to the house one of the guys I was with left me, but the other one stayed with me but got distracted after an hour. I realized I was in a bad position, so I texted Carter to come get me.”

  “How did he end up here?”

  I fell into a chair behind me and held my face in my hands. I thought I was done crying, but apparently not. “It happened so fast, Brandon. We were walking, and suddenly a person in a mask jumped out from the side of a building. Carter threw me back and tried to fight him off. The other guy had a knife. Carter didn’t see it until it was too late.”

  Brandon sat down next to me and remained silent for several minutes. He ran his fingers through his hair until it stood on end. He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes before turning to me. “I’m sorry you felt trapped at home, but this was to protect you, not punish you. You should have told me where you were going. You never should have gone with guys you don’t know well enough to know they were taking you to a sketchy party. You shouldn’t have put yourself in that situation, but you know all of this . . . now. You’re responsible for those actions, but you’re not responsible for the attack. I want you to know that.”

  Tears rolled down my cheeks at his words. I agreed with every word he said, expect the end. This was all my fault.

  I began shaking when I felt his arms wrap around me. I didn’t deserve to be comforted while Carter was somewhere in the hospital hurt and alone.

  “Mr. Tate?” A doctor stood holding open a set of doors on the other side of the room. Brandon stood and nodded to the doctor as he approached. I watched them talk quietly. Brandon’s head dropped. The doctor patted his shoulder twice before turning back through the doors.

  Brandon turned back to me and nodded, signaling me to meet him.

  I stood and slowly made my way across the room. I crossed my arms over my chest, caving into myself. “Is he alright?”

  “Yeah, they just finished up with him. They’re letting us see him as soon as they put him in his room.”

  I nodded and waited with him until the doctor returned. The seconds felt like hours while I stared at the door, willing it to open. Finally, the doctor opened the door and waved us in.

  I always hated hospitals. The smell of chemicals and cleaners mixed with the lack of color. Nothing about being there made me feel better. How were people supposed to recover in a depressing place like this?

  We were lead through a maze of hallways before the doctor stopped and ushered us into a private room.

  Seeing Carter lying on the bed asleep with wire and tubes attached to him knocked the air out of me. Brandon helped me to the chair at the side of his bed before walking around to the other side.

  “We have you listed, Mr. Tate, as the next of kin. Is that correct?”

  I watched in confusion as Brandon nodded in response. “Yes.”

  The doctor looked down at his clipboard before looking back at us. “It appears Mr. Blackwell suffered several wounds from the knife. None of the wounds were too severe, and they were treated with stitches.”

  “Then why is he asleep?” I blurted it out without thinking.

  “We gave him some medications so his body could rest and recuperate. He will be ready to go home in the morning.”

  Relief filled me. Carter was going to be alright. I reached toward the bed and took his hand in mine.

  This was all my fault. Brandon knew that, and Carter would agree.

  I didn’t notice Brandon stand from the chair across from me, so I jumped when he put his hand on my shoulder. When I met his eyes, I saw worry and fear.

  “Let’s get home. We’ll come back in the morning and bring him home.”

  There was nothing I could say to justify me staying, so I stood and followed him out of the room.

  He was killing me with his silence. He was stoic as he drove me home and led me to the elevator and into our home without a word.

  Once we got to the kitchen, he nodded toward the island, so I took a seat on one of the stools. He leaned against the counter across from me and folded his arms as he let out a sigh.

  I could hear my heart beat in my chest, the room was so still.

  “I was never trying to punish you, Aubrey. I’ve been trying my best to keep you safe. If you needed to get out, why didn’t you just ask me?”

  I tried to interrupt, but he held up his hand to silence me.

  “Do you not trust me? Have I done something to make you feel like you can’t come to me for anything?” The guilt he was pouring on me was torture, but he didn’t stop. “Leaving without telling me and going to a strange party is one thing, but doing it when you know someone is following you, when you know you’re in danger, isn’t something I can understand. If you’re bored, call the girls, call Mike, call Diane, anything! I know you couldn’t have known something like this would happen tonight, but your selfishness put Carter in the hospital.”

  He was still looking down, so he didn’t see the tears rolling down my cheeks. I knew every word he said was right, and there was nothing I could do to make it up.

  “I’m sorry I have to do this, but your actions left me no choice. You’re grounded. Until we find out who’s after you, I want you home. School and dance. That’s it.”

  I pushed my stool away from the counter and stood. “I’m so sorry, Brandon.”

  “Go to bed, Aubrey.” He never bothered looking at me.

  ☼ ☼ ☼

  I woke to pounding on my door.

  “Get ready, Aubrey. We’re picking Carter up in thirty minutes.”

  I groaned into my pillows and kicked off my blankets. I was hoping some sleep would allow him enough time to forgive me, but no such luck.

  I dressed quickly in sweats and pulled my hair in a messy bun as I met Brandon in the kitchen. He tossed me a granola bar and walked to the door. The silent treatment continued.

  The drive to the hospital was the longest fifteen minutes of my life. Brandon stared straight ahead, never looking in my direction. If he wasn’t speaking to me, I could only imagine Carter throwing things at me and kicking me out of his room.

  We parked and I followed Brandon through the hospital like a lost, sad puppy. We had never fought before; even as children we got along. This was new territory for me, and I didn’t like it.

  He knocked once on the door of the room we were in last night and slowly opened the door. I took one deep breath before following him in.

  Carter was sitting up in bed with a tray of food in front of him and the TV turned to some sports review show. He looked much better than he had the night before. He smiled at Brandon, and they clapped each other on the back before he saw me.

  I swallowed down my panic and met his eyes. “Hi, Carter.”

  Relief washed over his face. “You’re okay?”

  I nodded, and he opened his arms to me. I rushed in and gave him a careful hug. I didn’t know where else he was injured, and I didn’t want to be the cause of
any more of his pain.

  I stepped back and studied his face. His smile reached his eyes as he took me in, but when he looked between me and Brandon, his look changed to concern.

  “I’m doing fine, although this food is awful. How about we break out of this place and go get some real food?”

  I glanced at Brandon and saw his indecision. I guess even going out to eat with them broke the rules of my grounding. “You guys should go; I have some homework to catch up on.”

  Carter squinted at me as if studying my face. “You’ve done nothing but homework for the past two weeks. The other day, you told me you’re caught up through the end of the month.”

  “It’s dance homework.” I obviously didn’t function well under pressure.

  “That’s not a real thing.” He almost laughed at me, but I could tell he was really trying to figure out what was going on.

  “I have to get to dance, early. I need to practice a solo before team practice starts.” That was actually true. Getting there early would be a good idea, but Brandon would have to approve that.

  Brandon stepped forward. “She’s right. I need to get her to the studio, so let’s get your release papers finished.”

  He walked out of the room, leaving Carter and me alone.

  “Want to tell me what’s going on with you two? I’ve never seen you guys like this.”

  I shrugged. “I broke the rules, lied about where I was, and caused you to get hurt. I’m grounded indefinitely.”

  His eyebrows shot together. “He grounded you? Like a child? He does know that this isn’t your fault, right?”

  “Well, technically it is. I never should have gone to a party with guys I barely know. I never should have left without telling him, and mostly I shouldn’t have dragged you into my mess. I’m so sorry, Carter.”

  He offered his hand, and I stepped forward and hung onto him like he was my lifeline. A single tear escaped, and he wiped it away with his free hand before it got to my cheek. “None of this is your fault. You’re going through a lot right now; it’s understandable you needed to get out for a night. I might remember things wrong, but I’m pretty sure you didn’t attack me with a knife, Aubrey.”

  I wiped away another tear. “Thank you, Carter, but Brandon’s right. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.”

  Before he could reply, Brandon walked in with a nurse, who was pushing a wheelchair. She smiled brightly. “Alright, Mr. Blackwell, let’s get you into some new clothes and you’re ready to go.”

  Within a few minutes, we were walking out of the hospital to Brandon’s car. I got in the back seat and waited for him to drop me off at home. Instead we pulled up to the Dance Academy.

  “I don’t have my bag, Brandon. I need to go home first.”

  Without speaking, he opened his door and went to the trunk. He opened it, tossed something to the side of the car and got back in. I looked out my window and saw my dance bag sitting on curb. So that’s how things were going to be.

  “Alrighty, then. Goodbye, Carter. Please take it easy. Should I call when I’m done, or just get a ride with one of the girls?” I hoped using an open-ended question would result in a response from my selectively mute brother.

  Without turning, he replied, “You aren’t going anywhere without me or Carter. I will be back here when you’re done.”

  “Got it.”

  I shut the door and picked up my bag without turning around. We’d better figure out who this mystery stalker is soon, or I was going to go crazy living with my brother.

  Chapter 14

  While Brandon’s reaction had been bad, and understandably so, Mike took things to a whole other level when he heard about my escape over the weekend. Apparently his bestie notified him and warned him that I was now considered a flight risk.

  When I pulled into my parking spot on Monday morning, he was standing behind his car with his arms crossed, glaring at me. I got out of my car and prepared myself to face his wrath. Instead he nodded toward the buildings. He followed silently behind me, making me more tense with each step. I turned to him before we entered the math hall.

  “Mike, I’m . . .”

  He cut me off with an icy glance. “I don’t want to hear it, Aubrey.”

  He rarely used my full name. My gaze dropped with my shoulders, and I turned to continue on.

  “I’ve done everything I could to show you I wanted to be here for you. From day one, I went out of my way to be watch over you and make you comfortable here. I don’t know how much longer I can take, though.”

  I looked over my shoulder and chilled at the pained expression on his face.

  “I do everything I can for you. All I’ve asked from you in return is to let me in, to call me when you needed anything, but you’ve never been able to do that. I’ll always be here if you need me, Aubrey, but don’t expect me to make the first move anymore. I’m done being your backup.”

  My heart broke with each word. He was right. He’d given me everything he had, and in return I’d taken him for granted. I’d just expected him to be there for me without me doing anything in return.

  As I watched him walk away, it set in just how much I cared for him, but it was too late now. I guess it’s true: you never know a good thing until it’s gone.

  ☼ ☼ ☼

  I should have known Mike’s reaction was a sign of things to come. Mckayla asked how Carter was doing, but otherwise left me alone. The other girls kept their space as well. Apparently, they felt snubbed that I had “chosen” Tucker over them.

  Cassie had asked me what happened at dance on Sunday, and she had filled in the others. She was the only one that seemed to understand I needed to get out on my own. Although she didn’t agree with my decision either, she was willing to act as a buffer between me and the girls.

  Lunch proved to be the hardest to get through. When I walked up to our table I stared at the backs of my friends for a few seconds before turning in search of a place to hide.

  Just as I was beginning to let myself sink into a pity party for one, I spotted Gage. He looked up and caught my eye. Changing his direction, he reached me with a look of concern. “Are you alright?”

  I looked up to meet his eyes and wondered if he would be just as mad at me if I told him what happened. Shaking my head, I looked down at our feet. He was my last friend, and I didn’t think I could handle him being mad at me too.

  “Sorry, but mind reading is one skill I’ve yet to master. What’s going on?”

  I sighed and kept my gaze down. “I made some mistakes this weekend and now everyone is mad at me.”

  “Story of my life.” I felt his arm slide around my shoulders and let myself sink into him. “What happened?”

  I considered not telling him, but Mike’s words came back to me. I needed to let people in, even when it was hard. “I went to a party with Tucker and Andy from the basketball team, and they ended up leaving me stranded there. I called my brother’s friend to come and get me, and on our way back someone attacked him. He ended up in the hospital overnight and it’s all my fault.”

  When I finally looked up, Gage was looking at me like I’d just grown another head. “I think I’m missing some crucial information.”

  Oh right. I forgot he didn’t know about the notes from the stalker, or the stalker’s existence for that matter. “I was kind of grounded, so my brother’s mad at me for leaving with two guys I didn’t really know and lying to him. Plus, his best friend was hurt because of me. Mike’s mad because I didn’t call him and I went and hung out with Tucker instead. The girls are mad for the same reason, I think. They aren’t talking to me at the moment.”

  “Huh.”

  “Still not making sense?”

  He guided me to a bench and sat down next to me. “I kind of get why your brother is upset. You were grounded and you left to go to a party with guys he didn’t know. My parents would be pissed if I did that. You said your friend was attacked?”

  I nodded as he continued.
/>   “That can’t possibly be your fault . . . unless you were the one who attacked him?” He gave me a funny look that I couldn’t help but giggle at. “Didn’t think so. Mike is jealous, but we’ve known that for a while.” He gave me a squeeze and laughed. “Your friends are probably confused about everything that happened. You should try talking to them.” He looked down at me and waited for me to respond.

  “But they just ignored me.”

  “I never thought of you as someone who takes no for an answer.” He cocked one eyebrow as he looked down at me.

  I fought the urge to stick out my tongue at him. “Fine.”

  “That’s my girl! Come on, I’ll walk you back over there. They’ll be so distracted by their hatred for me that they’ll forget all about being mad at you.”

  I shook my head but accepted his hand and stood up. When he tried to release my hand, I squeezed his tighter. I needed one person to be on my side right now.

  As we approached my normal lunch table, he whispered encouragement in my ear. I took a deep breath and tried to get everyone’s attention. “Hey, guys? I want to talk to you all.”

  I held my breath as they turned to face me. Talia looked between me and Gage, then down at our connected hands, and nudged Alexis, who did the same.

  “Go ahead.” Mckayla was the only one to speak.

  “I just wanted to apologize for how I acted this weekend. I know I violated a lot of people’s trust, and Brandon pointed out how selfish I was. You guys have been there for me through all of this, and I should have called you guys rather than going out with stupid Tucker.”

  They turned and shared a look. After a silent conversation with their eyes, Mckayla faced me. “We accept your apology.”

  My heart lifted at those simple words. There was no way I could go through this without their support.

  “We’re just so worried about you, and when we heard what happened this weekend from Cassie, not you, it hurt. I thought you knew you could come to us for anything. Calling to ask us to hang out on a Saturday night is hardly annoying us.” She raised a brow and stared me down. Apparently she knew me enough to know that’s exactly why I didn’t call them over the weekend.