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CHAPTER 16
‘Heaven only knows when I’m in hell’
Pray - jxdn
Jake
I squint my eyes at the two zipper bags in front of me struggling to find the one with Jacob White written on it in thick marker. I had to take my contacts out an hour ago when I couldn’t hold the burn anymore. It smells like mold and piss in here. My head is pounding and the harsh white light from the police station isn’t helping. Nothing ever fucking happens in Stoneview and they still manage to have a dirty, stinking station.
Nate grabs the other bag, his knuckles are colored with dried blood. His or mine, I don’t even fucking know anymore.
The lady officer before us eyes at the last name on our bags, then us.
“Oh, boys,” she smiles cheekily. “Brothers’ quarrel?”
Neither of us acknowledges her as we grab our different items. My phone, watch, and wallet take me about three seconds to gather and I’m already on my way to the door, Nate close behind, when the police officer calls again.
“Trust me, boys, she ain’t worth it.”
I don’t even know if the grunt I hear is from me or him, I just keep going. I don’t hold the door for him and as soon as I’m in the waiting room my eyes search for my sister, but she isn’t there.
In fact, no one is here except a small-shaped form asleep on a seat. One that I’d recognize anywhere even without my glasses on. She waited for me. For hours. I hurry to the seat where she’s sleeping and put a hand on her shoulder as I squat in front of her.
“Jamie, baby, wake up,” I whisper.
She wakes with a start and looks around, confused. Her eyes stop on Nate, somewhere behind me, and my heart freezes. What if she didn’t wait for me? What if she waited for him?
All those hours in the interrogation room, I didn’t feel one hint of remorse. Nate had it coming. After everything he did, he deserved every single punch to his perfect face. I wish I could say I was so mad because of the years of bullying or because he got us in a gang. But I know I’d be lying to myself. The main reason I wanted to beat the shit out of him is sitting right in front of me and I just have to pray I didn’t make the worst mistake of my life tonight, getting in a fight over her.
I used to get in stupid fights with weak assholes over Camila. She was the queen of making me jealous with other guys just for me to show I cared for her. She was thrilled when I would let my rage out on a poor bastard. But I didn’t care for her, I was possessive because I’ve always been, it had nothing to do with Camila. Now, it has everything to do with Jamie.
“Oh my Gosh, are you okay?” She sits up straight and takes my head in her tiny hands, making me wince when her thumbs graze the countless bruises and cuts. “Jake,” her voice tightens like she’s about to burst out crying. “I was so worried about you.” Her head drops on my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.”
As soon as her warmth touches my skin, I know she’s here for me. She sobs on my shoulder and I hold her tight enough that my bruised ribs beg at me to let her go but I can’t. I can’t let her go. Not now. Not ever.
“None of this is your fault,” I reassure her.
How could it be her fault? Nate and I simply decided to add another element to our ongoing feud. I get up and help her up in the process.
“Where’s Ozy?” Nate’s cold voice makes me want to turn around and bust open his lip all over again, but Jamie’s frightened eyes chill me.
“Jamie? What happened?” I ask, not even sure I want to know.
Something’s wrong, I can see something’s wrong. I can feel something is wrong from my heart beating against my chest hard enough to jump out. It’s telling me there’s a reason my sister isn’t here. She would never leave me here on my own.
Jamie grabs something on her seat and turns around holding Ozy’s phone.
“She said to keep this and tell you she was in D.C.,” she tells me as my worst fear falls down on me.
I don’t realize Nate is coming toward us until both his hands land on Jamie’s narrow shoulders.
“‘Me,” he almost shakes her. “Was Bianco here? Was he here?”
I will my body to push him away from her, but my head is already running the worst scenarios on repeat. Everything we’ve been avoiding, praying to escape forever, it’s all here. One night, one mistake and it all came back.
The cold sweat suddenly covering my body makes me shiver. Was Bianco here? He must have been, otherwise, why would we be out?
“I–” she hesitates, her eyes darting to mine.
