Page 157 of Redemption
She seems to think he will be okay with it, but I’m not so sure.
Knowing that the chances of me finding a parking spot in the front are slim to none in this weather, I steer my truck toward the back. When I’m parked, I shut off the engine and jostle my shoulder.
“Hey,” I say, turning my head to kiss MJ’s forehead. “We are here. You’ve got to wake up now. We’ll have to make a run for it because it’s pouring.”
She hums in her sleep, and I kiss her again. “Come on. You can go back to sleep when we get in your apartment.”
“Promise,” she murmurs, still half asleep.
I chuckle. “Yes, MJ. I promise.’
“K.” She lifts her head from my shoulder and yawns. Her eyes dart around, trying to adjust to her surroundings. They pause when they land on her apartment, going wide. I follow her stare, noticing the red and blue lights flashing in front of her building for the first time.
“I wonder what that’s about.”
I shake my head, a bad feeling settling into my stomach. “I don’t know. Come on. I’ll walk you to your door, and we’ll find out.”
Opening my door, I step out into the rain and hold out my hand for her to follow. She places her hand in mine, not arguing, and we run into the rain.
That bad feeling in my stomach amplifies when I spy MJ’s parents’ car sitting in a parking spot near the cop car, but I tamp it down, not wanting to scare MJ.
The rain soaks into our clothes, chilling to the bone.
My whole body is numb when we reach the sidewalk, still standing hand in hand.
And when an officer steps out from the stairwell that leads up to MJ’s apartment, her parents on his heels, I wonder if I’ll be numb forever.
For once, Abigail Harrison’s face isn’t set into a mask of indifference. Mascara runs down her face, and Dr. Harrison’s arms are around her like he’s the only thing preventing her from hitting the ground.
“Mom?” MJ’s voice comes out, shaky from beside me. I wrap my arms around her and brace myself.
Something is wrong—very, very wrong.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” MJ asks.
I see it then, the way that Dr. Harrison’s hands shake as he holds his wife, the pale face of the cop standing beside them, Abigail’s red-rimmed eyes, and the only piece missing is Langston.
“Where is he?” I ask, the word in my throat. “Where is Langston?”
MJ’s head whips to me, her mouth hanging open. “What do you mean? He’s at home. Right, Mom?” Abigail’s sob wracks her whole body.
“Right, Mom? He’s at home, right?” MJ is yelling now, begging anyone to deny what I already know.
Langston is at home.
“Ma’am,” the officer says, stepping up so he’s in front of MJ, “your brother was in an accident.”
“No,” MJ says, shaking her head. “You’re lying.”
I hold her tighter, afraid if I let go, we both will shatter.
“He’s lying, Hayes. Tell him he’s lying.”
“Baby,” I say, my voice broken. That’s all I can get out. I don’t have the words to make this better, not when I’m reeling.
I did this. I did this. I did this.
I should’ve done what MJ asked. We should’ve gone right over and told Langston that we were dating. Why didn’t I do that?
