by Mia Belle
We rush inside. The place is a mess. Furniture is turned over, vases are shattered to pieces, paper is strewn everywhere. My throat tightens as I take in all the damage.
Eyes wide, Caleb backs into the wall, his face sheet white. “He came looking for me.”
Julia and Craig look like they’re about to pass out. Craig fumbles for his phone to call the cops, telling us we need to get out of here. Julia turns from right to left like she doesn’t know what to do with herself. Her hands shake as if she’s lost control of them. Aidan pats Caleb on the arm, trying to calm him down.
“It wasn’t Caleb’s dad,” I say.
Craig’s thumb freezes over his phone while the rest of them blink at me.
“What?” Julia said. “Who was it?”
I swallow but it’s impossible with this rock lodged inside. I take a deep breath. “Zack.”
“Zack?” Craig asks. “What are you talking about? We haven’t seen Zack in years, and he doesn’t know where we live.”
I plow my fingers through my hair. After I refused to give him money, he must have followed me home. Then he trashed the place looking for cash. I was so stupid to trust him.
“He’s…we’ve been in contact.”
Julia shuts her eyes like she’s trying not to be disappointed in me. After he vanished three years ago, she told me she’d try to do whatever she could to help him. I said I wasn’t interested in having a relationship with him. She did some digging and learned he was still on the streets, destroying his life. As a family, we vowed to keep our distance from him, since he hung out with the wrong crowd. And now I brought it all back in.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
Craig taps numbers into his phone. “I’m calling the cops.”
They arrive shortly after, taking our statements. Nothing seems to have been stolen, no money or jewelry, which is a little confusing. The cops will keep what happened here private, since we’re still hiding from Caleb’s dad. They tell us they’ll search for my brother, but without evidence or theft, there isn’t really much they can do.
Later, I’m sitting on the floor in my room, my sketchpad on my lap, but I’m not drawing. Drawing has become something positive since I met Lia and I’m definitely not feeling very positive right now.
Lia and her dad know what happened, since they were questioned by the police as well. She’s on her bed, her blinds lifted so we can see into each other’s room. She gives me a small wave before moving toward her window.
“I didn’t know you have a brother,” she says.
I get to my feet and slide to my window. “His name is Zack and he’s twenty-four.” I push some hair out of my eyes. “Can I come over? I think I’m ready to tell you about him and my past.”
She peers at her door. “My dad’s home, but I think I can sneak you in.”
I give her a small smile before slipping out of my room and heading next door. She opens the door and motions for me to enter, placing her finger on her lips and nodding her head toward a room down the hall.
“My dad’s sleeping,” she whispers. “But he’s a light sleeper, so we need to be quiet.”
I nod as I follow her up the stairs to her room. Once inside, we drop down on the bed. Lia scoots closer to me, wrapping her arms around me.
I bury my face in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about him,” I say. “It’s too hard to think about my past. I’d rather forget it. But…” I blow out some air. “Considering my past has caught up with me, I should tell you. You need to know about him and stay safe.”
Her eyes widen. “Are you saying he’ll come after you? Me?”
I shrug helplessly. “No idea. He wants money, and he has friends in the wrong places.”
She presses her head to my chest. “It isn’t fair,” her muffled voice says. “First Caleb’s dad is after him, then Josh and his friends are after me, and now your brother?”
I look away from her. “I’m sorry I brought him into your life. I’m sorry we…”
Shaking her head, she puts her finger on my lips. “Don’t even say that. Meeting you was the best thing to have happened to me.”
That can’t be true, but I don’t say anything. Tightening my hold around her, I lean back against the headboard. “My childhood was pretty shitty. I don’t think my parents even wanted a second kid. Hell, maybe they didn’t even want my brother.” I pause to take a breath. “They were drug addicts and drunks. Never once held a job. We were poor as shit and relied on the government to take care of us. Zack was always hanging around the wrong kinds of kids, but one thing he made sure to do was take care of me. One day when I was six, I went to my parents’ room and found them lying on the bed, dead, their lifeless eyes staring right at me.”
“Zane,” she whispers, taking my hand. “I’m so sorry.”
“They overdosed.” I shrug, but my shoulders feel like wood. “Zack knew we were going to be put in foster care and separated. He knew the foster system wasn’t the greatest and figured he could take care of us. He was only fourteen, but he grew up quickly that night.” I shut my eyes to shove the memories away, but they crash down on me. “We lived on the streets. Zack befriended others like us. They stole, cheated, lied, anything to survive. They used most of the money they stole to buy drugs. It was a huge mess, and Zack got swept in. I guess he eventually got fed up with taking care of a little kid, so he abandoned me at a bus stop, telling me he’d come get me later. I thought he was out with the others, stealing some food or drugs or booze. I didn’t know he actually abandoned me. I was all alone and terrified. I waited for him for hours, I called for him. I was crying and shaking one morning when a woman jogging with her dog found me and brought me to the nearest police station. I was put in foster care with the Bowmans. They treated me like their own child and adopted me six months later. They’ve been great to me, providing me with a good family and a good life. I owe them everything.”
Lia bends to kiss my cheek. “They really are wonderful people. What happened to your brother?”
“I didn’t hear from him until he turned eighteen. He must have found out where I was living and contacted me. We were in each other’s lives for a little bit, but he was still a mess. Three years ago, Julia and Craig took him in to try to help him.” I shake my head. “But he was beyond help. It crushed me to see him like that. I was sure he would turn out exactly like my parents.” I take a deep breath before slowly sliding my sleeve up. “I started cutting because I couldn’t handle watching him on that path. I would cry myself to sleep and beg for someone—anyone—to help him. I didn’t want to lose him. His behavior brought everything to the surface, our poverty, my parents and their drinking and drugs. I couldn’t handle it and this was the result.” I point to my scars. “I went to many therapists who helped me. I was getting better and hoped Zack could get better, too. Craig and Julia put a lot of money into rehab, but it wasn’t doing any good. I think my brother refused to get help. He vanished one day, and I hadn’t heard from him in three years, until he contacted me a few weeks ago.”
I tell her that I blocked his number, only to receive more phone calls and texts from an unknown number. “He convinced me that he was changing his life. That he had a job, was working on himself. I guess the little kid in me hoped he actually did change. We decided to meet a few towns away. He was so normal at first, and I thought I was finally getting my brother back.” I laugh lightly. “Turns out it was all an act. The only reason he wanted to meet me was so he could squeeze me for money. I refused to give it, which is why he trashed the house.”
Her eyes fill with sympathy as she strokes my cheek. “But he didn’t take anything, did he?”
I shake my head. “That’s what stumps me. But I know it was him who trashed the house.” I shift on the bed, moving closer to her. “I hate talking about myself and my past, but I’m glad I told you.”
She presses her lips to my cheek. “I’m glad you told me, too, and if you ever want to talk about it�
��or anything—I’m right here. But if you never want to talk about it again, that’s fine, too.”
“Thanks.” I bend close and kiss her gently. Gazing into her eyes, I stroke her cheek with the back of my finger. “I think I’m falling in love with you, Amelia Kelly,” I whisper. “Totally, completely, madly in love.”
Chapter Forty
Lia
Later that evening, I’m sitting on my porch, the events of the past few hours running around in my head. I can’t believe the Armstrongs’ house was attacked. I can’t believe Zane’s brother was responsible.
I hug my arms from the cold that’s not due to the wind. I’m so glad Zane shared his past with me. I feel like we’ve gotten closer. “I think I’m falling in love with you, Amelia Kelly.” Those words constantly echo in my head, which is probably why I can’t sleep.
I have strong feelings for all three of them, but I think it’s a little too early for me to think about love. I’m still getting used to the idea of having a boyfriend—no, three boyfriends.
A tingle shoots down my spine at the thought of what the future holds for us. It’s so uncertain, but I’m looking forward to embarking on that journey.
“Help!” a voice calls in the distance.
I sit up straight, my eyes flitting in that direction. But I don’t see anyone or anything other than the trees swaying in the breeze.
“Help! Help! Please!” the voice calls again. I’m pretty sure it’s coming from the park.
I dash toward the area, my heart thumping in my chest. “Hello?” I call. “Who’s there?”
A hand clamps over my mouth and I’m dragged into the park. Another set of hands grabs my feet, the other around my waist. I thrash to and fro, trying to shove them off me, but they’re too strong.
“You’re gonna pay for what you did, bitch,” a male voice, one I recognize as Burke, snarls as he shoves me to the ground.
I leap to my feet, taking in Burke, Blaze, Emmet, and Charlie standing there with nothing but rage in their eyes. Burke lunges at me, grabbing me by the throat and slamming me into a tree. The wind is knocked out of me and I grow dizzy for a second, but I don’t let that stop me. I lift my foot and knee him in the balls.
He cries out, and I take the opportunity to escape. But it’s short-lived because Blaze tackles me to the ground, pinning my legs and arms down.
“Get the hell off me!” I yell, trying to wiggle free.
Burke fists his hand, bringing it dangerously close to my face. “You ruined our lives, you fucking whore! First Josh’s and now ours. Alexis was my bitch, but you talked her into ratting us out. We can’t play football anymore, and you’re going to pay for that.”
Before he has the chance to ram his fist into my face, I slam my head into Blaze’s, and pain explodes in my skull, so strong my vison grows blurry for a second. Blaze is hurled back into Burke and they tumble to the ground. I scramble to my feet, only to be struck down by Emmet and Charlie, who wrap their arms around me, holding me tightly against them.
“This bitch is slippery,” Burke says, swiping the blood off his bottom lip as he marches over to us. I twist right and left to try to pull free, but Charlie and Emmet have a good hold. Blaze is on his feet, eyes searing with anger. Blood stains his lips, too.
Burke raises his fist, aiming for my face, when a shadow drops in like a ninja, slamming Burke to the ground and pummeling the life out of him. Shaggy black hair falls over his eyes.
Zane.
Aidan and Caleb rush over to me, punching Emmet and Charlie, who release me to defend themselves.
“Aidan, your head!” Caleb yells as he tries to ward off Emmet’s attacks.
“I’m fine.”
“No!” Zane calls from where he’s pounding his fist into Burke. “Stay back, man.” A blow to his jaw makes him falter back, but he charges at Burke.
“I’ve got this,” Aidan shouts resolutely. “Take those assholes down!”
I’m about to argue with him, to tell him this isn’t worth another head injury, but Blaze storms at me like a bull. I quickly jump out of the way and he crashes right into a tree. He recovers quickly, heading straight toward me again. I drop to the ground, lifting my foot and causing him to trip over it. He splats facedown into the ground.
The fighting goes on, with Zane beating the living hell out of Burke, Caleb and Aidan teaching Emmet and Charlie a lesson, and with me avoiding Blaze. He’s a little uncoordinated because of the blow to his head, but I doubt I can hold out for much longer.
A hand grabs my arm, flinging me to the ground. Josh steps over me, eyes screaming murder. Blaze drops to the ground, seeming in too much pain to move.
I back away from Josh, my heart leaping in my throat. I’m pretty sure he has it in him to kill me. “The guys told me to stay away,” he says, moving closer to me. I keep backing up, sure it won’t be long before I hit a tree. “Said they were going to beat the hell out of you and I should stay behind. But I’m done staying behind and watching you live your life. I was sent to juvie. I lost football. I lost everything!”
“You should have thought about that before you hit me,” I say, surprised how strong my voice is. My heart still slaps against my ribcage, but I’m not scared. “You deserve what you got.”
He growls, lunging at me. I roll out of the way, but he grabs my foot, tugging me toward him. I try to pull free, but it’s no use. Josh yanks me to my feet and slams me against a tree. My entire body rings with pain and I can hardly keep my head up. He snorts as he glances around. “Nice protectors you got.”
Aidan and Caleb are losing their fights with Emmet and Charlie. As determined as they are, their muscles are no match for these former football players. Zane and Burke seem evenly matched. Both boys have blood dripping down their chins as they continue landing punches on one another.
Charlie strikes Aidan in the head just as Aidan hits Charlie in the stomach. Aidan drops down like a dead log while his opponent jumps to his feet, dashing to help Burke with Zane.
“Aidan!” I call. He’s just lying there, and I’m not sure if he’s even breathing. “A head injury could kill him!” Why did he insist on fighting?
“Oh, too bad,” Josh says.
I lift my foot to knee him, but he presses his leg to mine, trapping it in place. “I’m going to make you pay,” he snarls. “I’ll kill you, bitch.”
“You’ll go to prison,” I say, once again trying to break free from his hold. The only thing I think about is that I need to check on Aidan.
“I don’t care. I already lost everything. Killing you will be worth it.”
He pulls something shiny from his pocket. A knife. Grinning evilly, he whispers, “I’m going to kill you slowly.” He glances at his friends for a second, seeing them winning against my boyfriends. “And I’m going to watch you suffer. I’ll watch the life slowly leave your body.”
“Get the hell off me,” I order.
He just laughs. He makes a move to stab me, when he’s suddenly jerked back, flying in the air before crashing into a tree. His body goes limp.
I raise my head and find a much-older version of Zane standing before me. His hair is black, short, but it falls in his eyes in a way that’s so familiar. Is this Zane’s brother?
He reaches a hand out to me. “You okay?”
I’m too shocked for words, and only manage a nod in response. There are five other guys fighting Burke, Charlie, and Emmet.
Caleb and Zane are still in the fight, punching and kicking. Zane’s brother leaps into the action, helping Zane take on Burke.
I rush over to Aidan, dropping at his side and bending down to him. “Aidan,” I whisper, grabbing his hand as tears come to my eyes. Caleb dashes over. “He’s still breathing, but he’s unconscious,” I say.
“We need to call an ambulance and Craig and Julia,” Caleb says, taking his cousin’s other hand with one hand and tapping his phone with the other.
I turn to the action and find Josh and his friends sprawled on the ground, c
lutching their aching limbs. Zane is gaping at Zack. He says something to him, but Zack backs away, motioning for the others to follow him. They scurry out of the park. I couldn’t get a good look at them, but I’m pretty sure those guys are the type of people who beat others up for a living.
And they saved our lives?
Zane is in a daze as he joins us. He takes in the unconscious Aidan and his face drops. “Told you to stay behind, dumbass,” he says, his voice laced with pain and worry.
“Zane,” I say. “Was that…?”
He nods and is about to open his mouth, when there are sirens in the distance. The ambulances have arrived. The paramedics rush out and start tending to the unconscious boys.
“You’re going to be okay,” I whisper to Aidan as they load him into the ambulance. Craig and Julia arrive at that moment, Julia’s hands covering her face as she witnesses what’s going on around us.
“Aidan,” she gasps. “What happened?”
We don’t have time to explain as she climbs into the ambulance with Aidan and it drives off. The other ambulances follow behind.
Craig turns to us, his face ashen. “We need to go to the hospital.”
“I’m coming, too,” I say.
He shakes his head. “You need to go home first and tell you dad what happened.”
We zoom to our houses. Zane, Caleb, and Craig get into their car. As they drive off, I catch both boys’ eyes pinned on me. Zane’s is filled with anger, though worry is mixed in as well. And a bit of confusion, too, which is probably because of his brother. Caleb looks beyond concerned, his face ghost white.
I turn into the house and head straight to Dad’s bedroom to tell him what’s going on. I need to get to the hospital and see if Aidan is okay.
Chapter Forty-One
Aidan
I open my eyes and find five pairs of eyes staring at me. My head feels like someone rammed it against a stone wall, and I can’t really move my limbs.
“Aidan!” Mom’s hands wrap around me.