Page 60 of Beck

The kettle clicked off, the steam filling the space above the counter and warming him slightly. He poured the water intohis cup and doctored it the way he liked it before wrapping his hands around it and aiming for the living room. He ignored the need to sit in the armchair in Beck’s room and watch him sleep because even he wasn’t that creepy. Well, not always.

Settling into the sofa, he flicked on the TV and scrolled for far too long, settling onGilmore Girls. He had seen them before, but they were still good, and he wasn’t sure he could concentrate on anything heavier.

His phone beeped.

ETHAN: Hey, how is Beck doing?

KOLE: He’s out cold. Understandable, really.

ETHAN: Definitely. He’s so fucking brave, recanting everything that happened to him. I don’t know if I would’ve been able to do that.

KOLE: Me neither.

ETHAN: Everyone at the shop is overwhelmed with everything they heard, especially Joey. He’s been sitting in front of the TV since we’ve been home. Just staring at it.

KOLE: It’s a lot for people to hear, especially when they’re so close-knit. I can imagine it must be horrendous to actually know the minute details about what happened.

ETHAN: How are you doing?

KOLE: I’ve been better. I don’t want to imagine what he’s been through, but it’s hard not to.

ETHAN: Yeah, and with you being together now, it’s that much harder for you. Anyway, let me know if there’s anything we can do. I can imagine you want to hide away for a few days, so I’ll try to keep everyone away.

KOLE: I’ll check with Beck, but yeah, probably.

ETHAN: You rest up, too.

KOLE: I’ll do my best.

He saw another message, this time from Christi.

CHRISTI: I hope you’re all okay. I know I’m a long way away, but if you need anything, please let me know.

KOLE: Thank you. We will.

Kole placed his phone face down on the arm of the sofa and wrapped his hand back around his drink, the warmth seeping into him once more. He tucked his legs under him and leaned back, staring at the TV but not really seeing it.

Beck stirred, and Kole checked his watch as he stood, placing the mug on the coffee table. It had been three hours. No wonder his body screamed at him when he moved.

Heading for the bedroom, he found Beck on his back, staring at the ceiling.

“Hey,” Kole whispered.

Beck sniffed and rolled his head towards him. “Hey.” He gave a small smile. “Sorry for—”

“If the next words out of your mouth are anything butnot sleeping long enough, then I don’t want to hear them,” he said, settling onto the bed beside him.

Beck huffed and rolled his eyes, returning his gaze to the ceiling. Kole let the silence stretch, waiting for whatever Beck needed to say or do. It took five full minutes—and he knew that because he’d counted—for Beck to say anything.

“I feel lighter but also heavier. It’s weird.”

“You’ve let your past come out, which makes it easier on you, but you’ve taken in what everyone else has been through as well. It’s bound to be a strange balance for you.”

Beck swallowed, his Adam’s apple bouncing several times. “If I had just spoken out more forcefully, he would never have hurt them.”

That was what Kole had been expecting. As Becca had said and the police had confirmed, Beck had been the second child Drake had done anything to. Kole, however, wasn’t so sure.From what Beck had told him and what he’d heard in the courtroom, there was no way Drake hadn’t done it before. How many was anyone’s guess. Which, while horrifying, alleviated some of Beck’s burden. Not that he’d tell him that.

“They wouldn’t have listened, Beck. You know that. You tried, and they didn’t listen. That’s on them, not you. You are not to blame for others being hurt. That lies with the social workers and Drake. No one else.” He fisted the duvet, knowing what he was about to say would receive a rebuttal. “I think you need to keep seeing the therapist. To help you sort through everything in your mind.”

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