Page 19 of Until Tomorrow Comes
Then on the sounds of waves calmly meeting the shore.
Then the light taste of salt in the air, and the breeze across my face.
I use everything I can see, hear, feel, and taste to help ground me. All while my brother waits patiently for me to calm myself down.
I got out.
Letting out a shuddering breath, I nod my head. Still, he doesn’t remove his hold on me while he regards me.
“I’m sor—” I start to say, but my apology is cut off before I can even finish.
“Don’t you dare say you’re sorry. You have nothing to apologize for,” he says quietly.
He finally removes his hands, gently nudging me toward the couch. The two of us sit down silently, and I lean forward resting my elbows on my knees.
“Kat,” Alan says softly. I turn my head in his direction, but don’t meet his gaze. He continues, “I mean it. You have nothing to apologize for. You did absolutely nothing wrong. You hear me? But…”
He trails off, waiting to continue until I finally meet his gaze.
“I know the nurse gave you numbers and people to call, but if you want it, Jack has some contacts and strings he can pull in town to get you a doctor or therapist.”
Slowly, I nod before looking forward and blindly staring over the balcony.
He’s right, I know he is.
I am going to need help, getting through this is going to take more than just getting out of the state.
Turning back to face my brother, I catch him biting his thumb nail as he stares out toward the water, a nervous habit he’s had since we were kids. Carefully, I nudge him with my elbow.
“What else?” I question softly.
Alan jerks his gaze toward me, eyebrows raised as he gently shakes his head. I motion toward his hand that is still suspended in front of him.
“You’re stewing on something, and there’s no point in beating around the bush about things now.”
Alan sighs, dropping his hand and turning forward to rest his elbows on his knees next to me.
“I think…” he says cautiously, clearing his throat. “It might be smart if, for now, Mom and Daddon’tknow where you’re staying.”
My heart skips a beat before turning to ice.
I haven’t spoken to my parents since Alan kicked them out of the hospital room. Although, it’s not like they have any way of getting ahold of me, considering I don’t have my phone. Yet, I can’t stop myself from wondering if they have even tried. Or did they run right to Zack’s parents, hoping to do damage control?
I rub at the ache that’s forming in my chest as I answer my own question.
Yes. Of course they went to them.
And the worst part? They probably think they’re actually helping me by trying to keep this story out of the news.
All I can do is nod in response to my brother. He hesitates for a moment, glancing quickly in my direction before turning back and continuing.
“Also, my buddy from the NYPD texted me. They still haven’t been able to find him. I hate asking, but doyouhave any idea where he could be?” His voice is barely louder than a whisper, but his question echoes in my head as if he shouted it at me.
It takes a minute for me to find my voice.
“My guess would be with his parents,” I say quietly, fidgeting with a loose strand of hair that escaped my bun.
The shrill sound of a seagull squawking close by makes me flinch.
