Page 39 of Beck

“Ethan,” he rasped, pushing to sit with help from the police officer.

Kole’s landlord handed him his phone when he gestured to the coffee table, and Kole glared at him. The man held his hands up.

“I’m sorry. As soon as I gave him the key, I called the police. I tried calling you but you didn’t answer. I didn’t get here quick enough. I’m so sorry.”

Kole didn’t have the energy to argue with him at that point. He dialled Ethan.

“Kole? Is everything okay?” Ethan’s sleepy voice made him realise exactly how late it was.

“No,” he croaked and winced again. He swallowed, but he couldn’t say anything else. It hurt too much.

“Kole?”

Kole held the phone out to the police officer, who took it and told Ethan what was happening. He tuned out and stared at the front door. He couldn’t hear or see Drake anymore, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t around.

“Ethan is going to meet us at the hospital,” Officer Bryant said and handed him the phone again.

Kole nodded slowly. Surprisingly, he was calmer after this attack than he had been with the first one. Andrew had been a nice guy until he had proven himself to be deluded. Drake had never pretended to be anything but creepy. Maybe that was why. Didn’t stop him from closing down, though, and as the officer helped him to his feet, he stayed quiet, only answering when he was asked direct questions.

The major difference between the attacks was, that time, Kole wanted Beck to be with him. Whereas the last time, he’d wantedto be alone. To not be touched at all. At that moment, all he wanted was for Beck to fold him in his arms and never let go.

But that would never happen. Not now.

Drake had effectively ended any chance of him and Beck having a relationship. Because now Beck would blame himself and wouldn’t touch a hair on Kole’s head ever again.

****

Chapter 13

Beck

Beck was watching a repeat ofThe Late Show with James Cordenwhen his phone rang, and considering it was almost four in the morning, it had him on instant alert.

“What’s wrong?” he asked Joey.

“You might want to come down to the hospital, Beck. Kole’s been hurt.”

Beck shot upright, hitting his toe on the coffee table but barely feeling it as his stomach churned. “How? What?” He paced in front of the windows, his heart pounding as he waited for Joey’s answer.

“Some guy convinced the landlord to give him the key to Kole’s apartment and then attacked him.”

Beck stopped still, his entire body turning into a solid block of ice. Joey’s voice wavered in and out as his eyes glazed over and the past and present merged. He couldn’t tell which words were from Joey and which were from years ago until a short, sharp crack of his name slammed him back fully into the present again.

“What?” he croaked.

“Fuck,” Joey muttered. “I said, I’m coming to get you. He’s asking for you.”

“No! I’ll…I’ll get there. Just…give me a few minutes, yeah?” He wasn’t in any fit state to drive right then, but he didn’t want Joey seeing him like he was at that moment.

“Not a chance, Beck. I’m almost at yours, anyway. If you’re not there when I turn up, there will be hell to pay. You feel me?”

Beck swallowed and knew his friend would keep his word. “Sure.” He wasn’t at all sure, but he had to talk the talk.

“Do I need to keep you on the phone while I drive the last few streets?”

That made Beck crack a small smile. “No. I’ll be here.”

“Good. Have a drink and get dressed in something other than those threadbare joggers, okay?”

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