Page 103 of Before We Fell

Four days since the worst night of my life.

Four days since I’d heard a single word from Noah and after the few text messages I sent asking him if he was okay and apologizing on behalf of my brother, went unanswered, I didn’t bother sending more.

The moment Riley recognized Travis, our relationship was stamped with bright red ink. “CANCELED.”

I had spent hours with the police on Thursday night. Ryan and his partner showed in less than ten minutes and worked on my brother until the paramedics arrived. After a handful of basic questions, who he was and a brief outline of what happened, they then followed the ambulance to the hospital.

Noah had ushered Riley to the living room, holding her while she screamed and sobbed, until I eventually heard quiet whispers and muted cries.

Shawn arrived afterward. I answered a litany of more questions, told him I wanted to press charges against trespassing, driving under the influence, vandalism—my yard was trashed—and breaking and entering. I still wasn’t certain if Travis had done that yet, but I was willing to risk it.

Noah had stepped into the kitchen then and didn’t so much as glance in my direction.

“Riley identified him as the man who killed her parents.” His voice was hard as stone. Body language like granite. It was clear, I was not to move in his direction in any way, shape, or form.

Shawn had looked at me. “Is that true?”

“Recognized him immediately,” I said, and tears had finally started falling. My shoulders shook and I swiped away the tears. Adrenaline crash was a bitch and it all happened so fast.

Neither man moved to make me feel better. And wasn’t that the kicker? Travis once again ruined everything, and I was left alone, the pitiful look from two men who wanted to date me, one who claimed to love me, and I was on an island.

And I wasn’t just thinking of myself.

My chest ached for Riley. The poor, poor girl. Guilt settled and rolled through me like an avalanche. One minute I wanted to throw my arms around her and hug her, the other minute, I wanted to stay far, far away from her so I didn’t cause her more pain. She didn’t need me in her life.

I brought nothing but bad and horrific things to their life.

None of it was my fault, but I understood their distance completely. I understood their need for it.

I just hated it.

At some point, Noah had called his parents. Both Keith and Krystal showed at my house, yanking Riley into their arms. Krystal cried freely and Keith had given me a sad smile before pulling me into his arms for a quick hug. “I’m sorry, doll,” he’d said.

I was sorry, too. For all of it.

Shawn had talked to Noah about heading to the police station to make a formal report. The word extradited was mentioned. Somehow, I tuned out the rest of their conversation until it was time to leave and Shawn walked up to me.

He stood close to me but not touching. Bet he was glad he escaped the hell I’d bring him. “You doing okay?”

“I need to call my parents,” I’d said lamely. It wasn’t a response, but it said it all.

“I have to get to the station for Noah, but I can send someone to bring you in later if you want to file the report. Press charges.”

I had shaken my head. “I’ll do it in the morning if that’s all right.” Likely, my brother would be in the hospital for awhile. At least a day or two.

My house cleared out shortly after. Keith and Krystal took Riley with them.

Noah followed Shawn to the driveway.

No one had looked at me. And once the silence of the house descended, I collapsed onto the couch and cried myself to sleep. Friday, I’d gone to the station, made out my report of what happened and formally pressed charges.

I learned my brother would be in the hospital for another day or two, but he was being taken to St. Louis where he’d face arraignment for the murder charges against him there.

My parents had taken to texting me their bullshit, blaming me for their expense of having to travel all the way there to be there for him.

Neither had asked how I was doing.

Tinley came over Saturday once word filtered through town. She brought wine, bottles of it.

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