Pranked

  “Go get him, King.”

  I hurried out of my apartment and into the bar. As I got to the front door of the bar I saw my friend standing there shivering slightly from the cold as he took the last drag of a cigarette which he put out when he saw me getting closer.

  As soon as I unlocked the door he pushed his way in with a duffel over one shoulder and a squeak had me looking down to take in a daschund with three legs wheeling inside followed by the soft padding of a great dane.

  “I see you’ve brought some friends with you,” I observed dryly, and he just gave me a laugh.

  “Well… I am a vet.”

  I shot him a smile as I locked up and then turned to give him a firm hug, both of us slapping each other’s back a few times before stepping away.

  “Levi, it’s good to see you. Look, I do have a date upstairs so I’ll bring you some food when it’s ready and help yourself to some liquor, but would you guys mind crashing down here tonight?”

  Levi snorted at that and dropped his duffle by his feet., “After living with you for a few years, trust me I gladly volunteer to stay down here tonight. Just tell me where your room is and I’ll make sure to sleep in the farthest corner from it.”

  As I flipped him the bird, soft steps came down the stairs and we turned to find Ezra standing at the bottom of the stairs. I opened my mouth to make the introductions when I noticed all color leave his face and an obvious tremble to his body as he took in Levi standing next to me.

  “Ezra, are you okay?”

  “Ezra?” Levi’s smoky voice choked out, and I turned to find his gaze locked on my boyfriend. Levi took a small step forward and Ezra looked ready to bolt.

  “You two know each other?” I asked, confused by their responses to each other as much as I was surprised that they even knew each other.

  “He’s your friend?” Ezra’s voice was strained and I nodded cautiously. “I need to go.” He panicked and started for the back door and I jumped to beat him there, but Ezra was quick, slipping out the door before I could stop him.

  I followed him into the back alley as he nearly ran to his place next door.

  “Ezra! Ezra, dammit wait!” I yelled out, and he flinched at the noise but turned to face me.

  “I’m sorry, Jasper,” his said, voice trembling. “I can’t. I just can’t.” His shook his head and his breathing sped up.

  “You can’t what? How do you know Levi?”

  He continued to shake his head and for each step forward he took two away from me. Abruptly he raised a hand to ward off my advance and the tremor in his hand brought me to a dead stop.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

  “Dinner tonight? Yeah, look Levi will be gone in a few days we should get together after that and you can tell me—”

  “No, us. We aren’t a good idea. I can’t do this.” He gestured between himself and me.

  A ringing started in my ears and I shook my head. I couldn’t have heard him right. “What are you talking about?”

  “Look I’m just not— It’s not you. I just can’t do this anymore. And I can’t be with anyone who is friends with someone like him.”

  The venom in which he referred to Levi sent a shiver up my spine.

  “Levi is one of the nicest people I know, Ez. Whatever—”

  He let out a rough, hysterical sounding laugh cutting me off.

  “Levi Ward. Nice? That’s fucking rich. You tell him to stay away from me. And you too.”

  Before I could even try to say anything else, Ezra spun on his heel and ran for his apartment away from me. When his door clicked shut snow started falling from the sky mocking my romantic ideas for the night.

  I didn’t know how long I stood there unable to move, I wasn’t even aware I was still breathing, when feet crunched in the fresh snow behind me. Levi came around to stand in front of me watching me carefully.

  “Jasper?”

  “Inside,” I croaked out and slowly went back into the bar. On autopilot, I went behind the bar and pulled out a fresh bottle of whiskey and two glasses. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Levi settle on a bar stool across from me as I poured us each a glass.

  Looking up I slid the glass into his tattooed hand. “You’re going to fill me in on what the fuck happened to make my boyfriend run out of here scared and try to break up with me in the street.”

  Ezra

  My heart was thundering in my chest as I slammed the door behind me. I was shaking from more than just the cold. I couldn’t believe what I just saw, it had to be some kind of sick joke.

  My thoughts were conflicted, part of me knew that it wasn’t Jasper’s fault, but that didn’t take away all the damage that asshole caused. I went to bed hungry and weak more than once because of him and I wasn't about to open myself up to those feelings again. And his face alone brought it all back. I couldn’t imagine how bad it would have been if I’d stuck around.

  When I finally stood up from the floor, I realized Jasper hadn’t bothered to come after me. I couldn't decide if I was grateful or upset about that. I knew it likely wouldn’t be the last I saw of Jasper, he wasn’t going to let our relationship slip away.

  I could feel myself continuing to spiral, but there was nothing I could do about it. Suddenly I was there again, in that home, helpless and alone. The real world slipped away as flashbacks started and I knew there was nothing I could do to stop it. I wanted to call Leo, but my phone wasn’t with me, it was at Jasper’s and I sure as fuck wasn’t making it back over there.

  What started as minutes, turned to hours, then days. I knew I could lose everything if I didn’t move and open my business, and I heard banging on the door more than once, but I couldn’t bring myself to move. I’d only made it far enough to grab the throw blanket off of my couch and went to hide in a corner, curling in on myself as I drifted in and out of sleep, and the nightmares were worse than the flashbacks. Thank god Jasper couldn’t see me, otherwise I was pretty sure it would be too much for him, to see just how broken and unlovable I was.

  This is why people leave you.

  My heart started thumping roughly in my chest as someone clambered through the bakery. I could hear every noise in the tense silence as they made their way to the top of the stairs and swung the door open. Fuck, why didn’t I lock it? You have to lock your door or someone could hurt you. Rules to live by from my childhood came back and I froze, panic welling in my chest as heavy footfalls thudded through the room. My breath was coming in quick pants until my vision turned fuzzy and I couldn't concentrate on my surroundings. When gentle hands came out to touch me, I lost it. The scream that burst out was haunting and blood curdling. I heard someone speaking, but I couldn’t get out of my own head long enough to focus on it.

  “Snap out of it, Son.” The loud but calming voice of Sheriff King pierced through my panic, the familiarity pulling me out of the fog, his gentle hands squeezing my shoulder bringing me out the rest of the way until I was lucid and trembling in front of him. “Fuck, Ezra… what happened?”

  “I… I had… I need Leo,” I managed eventually.

  “He’s downstairs. Son, it’s been three days since he’s heard from you. He was down at the station banging down the door and demanding that someone get him in here. Let me go downstairs and get him. Maybe you should go jump in a shower and put on something warm? You’re freezing.” His words were gentle and concerned, but it left no room for debate. I nodded in agreement and he seemed to relax, helping me to my feet and not stepping away until I started to walk to my room.

  “You can explain to Leo what’s going on, he’ll get it.” With that, I left him in my living room and grabbed a hoodie and sweatpants, before turning the shower onto satan levels of heat. Once the steam was billowing out of the shower, I finally stepped in.

  You’re better than this, better than him. Don’t let him sink you to that level again. You aren’t the same little boy and you can’t let him win.

  When I padded out to the living room,
freshly showered and bundled up, Leo was there to greet me. He didn’t pry and didn’t say anything, instead rushing over and practically tackling me into a hug, stopping himself when I flinched. Instead he leaned forward slowly, pulling me into the hug gentler than he ever has. After a few beats, I melted into his arms, letting him soothe over my broken edges and calm my nerves.

  “I want an extra key, ASAP. Thank god King can pick locks,” he whispered, his voice cracking. I guess I did lock it after all. “You scared the fuck out of me. Right now, I’m going to make you something to eat and get some liquid in you. ”

  “Okay,” I squeaked out, sinking into the corner of my couch, my back resting against the arm so I could see into the kitchen. He moved around, picking out the stuff to make scrambled eggs and toast, knowing I wouldn’t be able to stomach much right now.

  Leo moved easily through the apartment, only stopping to let Jax in, who immediately hurried toward me and curled up at my side, snuggling into me. I wrapped an arm around him, shaking off the last of my gloom.

  “What the fuck happened?” Leo asked, as soon as I had a chance to sort through my thoughts.

  “Remember the Levi I told you about?”

  “Like… kid Levi? The one who made your foster home hell?” he asked, startled.

  “Jasper and I were on the perfect date. We went back to his place and he was cooking and his friend called. I followed him downstairs and realized his friend was Levi. Seeing him again brought up all the shit from my past and I just ran out without thinking. I just had to get away and when Jasper tried to talk to me I couldn’t handle it and just ended it. He doesn’t need to be with someone like me. It was enough to send me into a spiral, I couldn't stop it or call you. Shit, my phone is at Jasper’s.”

  “No, I’ve got it, it’s charging in the kitchen. He’s heartbroken, babe. Whatever happened with Levi, you should have trusted Jasper to handle it,” Leo said gently, settling onto the coffee table so he was in front of me. “And don’t let me hear you say something like that again. He does need to be with someone like you, you guys are perfect for each other. You’re amazing, Ezra. This is just your past talking.”

  “Jasper wouldn’t be friends with someone who was terrible,” Jax added, squeezing me in another hug to soften the blow.

  “I just can’t, you don’t know what it was like,” I whispered, knowing it was lame and I had to figure out what to do moving forward. “What day is it?”

  “It’s December 25th,” Jax said quickly.

  “Fuck, that explains the spiral,” I whispered, more to myself than them. “The anniversary of Mom’s death was the 23rd, this happens every year.”

  “That does explain it, you’ve been off for almost two weeks. I should have realized,” Leo said, cursing under his breath.

  “No, it’s not on you,” I argued, reaching out and clutching his hand.

  “I’m your best friend, it’s my job to know this shit,” he said quietly, lunging forward and wrapping his arms around me before eventually settling into my lap. We sat there like that as he turned on a movie, one friend curled into my side and one on my lap, acting as my glue while I tried to put the pieces back together.

  “Listen, Ezra. Sheriff King is just outside, and downstairs he has some help waiting. This is the worst I’ve ever seen you and I think you should let them help you. You’ve been unreachable for days and Jasper said he couldn’t get ahold of you…” Leo’s voice broke off and I squeezed him closer to me.

  “Ezra,” I opened my eyes slowly to see Jax’s serious eyes studying me, “I know we aren’t that close and maybe this isn’t my place…” I watched as he seemed to mull over his next words. “Liam said you looked pretty out of it when he came in here to check on you. So for what it counts, go in there and take the day or two they make you stay there, to rest.”

  I honed in on his face at his words. “You sound like you’ve been there before if you know how long they’ll keep me.”

  Jax nodded slowly. “I have been.”

  He didn’t elaborate, not that he needed to. Those three little words said everything I ever needed to know. He got it. He got this. I vaguely wondered what would send him off the deep end like this and realized that as close as we have gotten, I didn’t really know Jax.

  As if sensing my thoughts, Jax gave me a sad smile. “It’s a long story, but I think you should let Liam take you in so you can get the help you need right now. Leo said something about you seeing Dr. Cox soon? Leo can call her while you’re on your way there.”

  I nodded slowly and I felt Leo pulling away to look at me. I hated giving in, but even I had to admit how bad this spiral had scared me. I hated even more that I put everyone through hell. I owed it to them as much as myself.

  “Yeah, I’ll go. I think... I think that would be best,” I finally relented, a tear leaking out.

  Leo didn’t say anything, he just kept studying me as Jax squeezed me one last time before standing up. “I’ll let Liam know.”

  At that I watched him walk toward the front door and when he opened it I saw Sheriff King leaning against the wall. As soon as the door opened, he turned his gaze to take in Leo and me on the sofa then focused on Jax in front of him. The intensity in his gaze reminded me so much of Jasper I felt my chest tighten and I turned into Leo to bury my face in his neck.

  “Ezra. I know Levi is a sore spot in your past, but maybe keep in mind that people do change. Right now though, I think you should take a minute and eat some toast. I’ll get together a bag for you.”

  Leo gently extracted himself from my grip and handed me the toast he had made up. I didn’t want any but I knew I should eat something. Did I eat anything these past three days? Not knowing the answer shook me and I forced myself to slowly take bites of the now cold bread while I heard Leo rummaging around my room.

  Leo waltzed back in with a forced looking smile and a duffel bag in hand. “Ezra, you have way too many bow ties and sweaters, but you’ll be happy to know that’s what I packed you.”

  I let out a hoarse laugh at his attempt at normal. When I stood up the world spun and I fell back on the couch. Not wanting to face him in that moment, I closed my eyes to block out Leo’s concerned look and let out a shaky breath. Guess that answers the question about whether I ate or not.

  “I don’t think I can walk down there by myself,” I quietly admitted.

  Footsteps then a door opening and heavier footfalls joined Leo’s. I cracked open my eyes to see Sheriff King’s stern face looking down at me.

  “I’ll carry your stuff, Ez, and meet you downstairs.” Leo scooped the bag off the floor and left, leaving me with Sheriff King, who was watching me closely.

  He squatted down in front of me and I belatedly realized he wasn’t in uniform but jeans and a henley shirt.

  “Why aren’t you in uniform?”

  He studied me for a minute. “Because I wasn’t on duty today, but when I heard it was you I came.” Pause. “Jasper also wanted me to be the one that came to check on you.”

  Not ready to talk about him yet, I swallowed hard and admitted in a broken whisper, “I don’t think I can walk downstairs by myself.”

  “When was the last time you ate?”

  “I think it was before my date with Jasper.”

  “That was three days ago.”

  I didn’t answer, but he didn’t seem to need to hear anything else. Suddenly I felt strong arms go underneath my knees and torso, picking me up. My protests were shut down as I saw the firm look in his eyes, as if anticipating what I would say.

  “I’m going to get you downstairs and into my truck. I’m parked in the back so people won’t see you.”

  I nodded at his reassurance and handing over myself to his care allowed me to sink into the numbness that always came after moments like this. He carried me like I weighed nothing down the stairs and past Jax and Leo who were talking quietly in a corner and through the back kitchen. I didn’t feel the cold as he opened the door and I saw his truck wai
ting there still running. Leo came out from the kitchen door and went past us to open the passenger door. I let Liam set me down and buckle me in. As he did so he took in my face and his face became drawn in concern.

  He quickly walked around to the driver’s side as Leo threw my bag into the truck by my feet. “I already called Dr. Cox and she is going to be at the hospital when you arrive. If you need anything, let me know.”

  I thought I nodded, but I’m not sure given how Leo looked toward Liam.

  “All right, we are going to head out. Close the door.”

  The door slammed shut at Liam’s command and we started going forward. Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention as Liam pulled out onto the main road. I looked over to find Jasper and Levi standing there watching as I was driven off to the hospital. Jasper almost looked like he would come forward but at the last minute Levi grabbed hold of his arm stopping him. It was probably the first time I felt grateful toward him and that, along with Jasper’s sad and hurt face, made me close my eyes against the memories of a few nights ago.

  “Ezra, it’s not my business what happened a few nights ago, but let me tell you something I’ve learned.”

  I didn’t open my eyes to look to him, but I waited to see what he would say all the same.

  “As a cop and someone who was married for over twenty years, I’ve learned there are many sides to a story and somewhere in the middle is the truth.”

  I couldn’t help but reply in a tired voice, “That sounds like something a father would learn.”

  A deep chuckle sounded beside me. “Oh, that too. I might be Jasper’s dad, but I hope you know you can always talk to me.”

  I couldn’t stop the tears from spilling down my cheeks, but luckily this was Liam so he didn’t acknowledge it beyond putting a hand on my knee and giving it a slight squeeze.

  The rest of the ride was spent in silence, though as we pulled in front of the hospital the decorations on the building tugged on a memory. Mom and Dad always had a deal that Christmas they would spend at home, with family. Unless someone was dying they kept that promise. Dad even kept it after Mom passed away.