Page 47 of Beck

“I think I’ll try the same. Can I get a glass of water, though, please?”

“Absolutely. It won’t be long.”

Kole gave Miko the thumbs up and the guy wandered off. “A time or two, huh?”

Beck got trapped in Kole’s gaze and found himself beginning to talk. “It wasn’t too bad at first. Drake pretended to be friends with us all. Played up the big brother role, and we loved it. But then he changed. Either something happened or he was always that way and had hidden it, but he became meaner. Upsetting people—except our foster parents—was his favourite pastime. I took on as much of it as I could because the other kids were smaller than me. It wasn’t fair to them.”

Beck looked out of the window again, the street disappearing to be replaced with the memories of the house and the woods…and the bedroom.

“At first, it was little touches that could’ve been considered accidental. But then one day, the Prices were out with the younger kids.” He swallowed. “It was the first and only time I cried,” he whispered. “I never gave him the satisfaction of hearing it again. But I allowed it, time and again, so he wouldn’t turn to the other kids. I wanted them to have happier memories. But he used it against me. He’d threaten to go after them if I didn’t do as he said. When they sent me away, I was so scared for them, but no one would listen. I never heard anything, so I was forever hopeful he hadn’t done anything to anyone else.”

He met Kole’s gaze, and the non-judgemental look settled him.

“I want to say thank you on behalf of all those people you have saved by going to the police. Even if it turns out he has been an asshole for years, you’ve saved countless future victims.”

Beck’s throat closed up, and he couldn’t say anything. He turned his gaze to the window, swallowing convulsively while trying to get his emotions under control. He had thought being out in public would be easier for him. Apparently not.

He wanted to be able to reach for Kole, but his body wouldn’t let him. Touch was something he only thought he needed when he was sleeping with someone, but Kole was a whole other ballgame when it came to Beck’s feelings and needs. He wanted to let go of everything he ever knew, everything his mind was telling him, everything he’d ever learnt for survival, just so he could let Kole into that part of him he hadn’t thought he needed anyone in.

Clearing his throat, he linked his fingers. “The police rang me to say Drake was not leaving jail right now. They are going to investigate his life to see if anything crops up.”

“It’s good that they’re looking into it and not brushing it aside. They might find something that helps their case.”

“I know that would help, but I also hope they don’t. If they do, it means someone got hurt.”

Kole covered his hands with his own. “I know. But the priority now should be getting Drake off the streets.”

Miko arrived with their drinks, causing Kole to pull back, and Beck immediately felt the loss.

“Your food will be here soon.”

“Thanks, Miko,” Beck said.

Silence fell between them as they both played with their cups. At least until Kole pushed his drink aside and leaned forward.

“Look, Beck. I’m going to sound harsh, but life is shit sometimes. I’m not saying what you, or anyone else, went through isn’t terrible. I’m truly not. You couldn’t have stopped Drake from doing anything. But if he has done things, they are going to make him more likely to never be able to do this again.”

When Kole had started talking, Beck’s throat had closed, his insides churning as he thought Kole was showing his true colours. As he continued, Beck wanted to weep. He swallowed hard, trying to let his words sink in. Understanding what Kole was trying to point out was easy, but it still left a sour taste in his mouth. He wouldn’t wish the pain on anyone, even if it meant it would help Drake stay in jail.

“I know what you’re saying, but I still don’t like it.”

“I know. It’s shit,” Kole agreed.

Their food arrived while he was still contemplating Kole’s words, and it gave him the chance to recentre himself and breathe for a few minutes.

They didn’t talk again until their plates were almost empty.

“Are you ever going to tell me why you’re keeping a spce on the back of your neck?” Kole asked before taking another bite.

Beck licked his lips and smirked. “Nope.”

Kole rolled his eyes, pointed at him with his fork and said, “This food is amazing. I’m glad you showed me this place.”

Beck nodded as he finished his mouthful. “It’s the worst kept secret around.” He grinned, feeling decidedly lighter than he had. He opened his mouth to say something else, but his phone interrupted him. Pulling it from his pocket, he frowned at the private number. Usually, he wouldn’t answer, but when the police called him, it said the same—though why they would be calling again, he didn’t know.

“Hello?”

“Mr Cavanagh, it’s Detective Conrad. We’d like you to come to the station. We have some new information that’s come to light.”

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