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“Look at hisface,”Mollie said as she laughed. “You’re gonna break him.”
“Between you and me, that’s the goal. We have alotof time to make up for. Enjoy the cookies.”
I took them numbly, wondering if this was what I’d been missing out on. If this was what Mollie had seen in Strawberry Springs.
People came up to us one by one, dropping off different things for no reason. They didn’t mention why, but as the pile of stuff on our table grew, so did my gratefulness.
“I’m glad we brought your car,” I said as we left. I’d tried topay, and Tammy had brought out the shredder and let it run until I’d put it away. “I don’t think all of this would have fit in the truck.”
“Definitely not. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m not alone. I see why you like it here so much.”
Mollie gave me a smile before walking over to the driver’s seat.
It took us a while to get everything put up, but once we were done, the silence of the house got to me. I hated not having Eric here to play with his toys or talk to, so Mollie put on her friend’s show in order to pass the time.
It helped.
By the time we were caught up, she was texting Wren to tell her how much she loved it, and I felt like things were okay, like I could do this if I had to.
I only hoped Eric was fine too.
We went to bed early, as if that would pass the time just a little faster. My nightly routine felt empty without me putting Eric into bed, but Mollie pulled me into her room and held me tight.
“Are you okay?” she asked in the dark of the night.
“No, but I don’t feel alone. And that’s close enough.”
Her arms squeezed and I fell asleep within minutes.
My phone rang before the sun was up. I was in a deep sleep, but the second I heard it, I was wide awake.
“Hello?” I answered, trying to get the sleep out of my voice.
“Cain?” Eric asked.
I sat up in a second. “Eric. What’s wrong?”
“I ... I need help. You know how you said there were adult drinks I should never have?”
My stomach sank. “Yes.”
“Waldren had some. And then he drove me to some weird place in Nashville. It’s called a club.”
“What?”I ground out. I was going tokill him.“Is he in the car?”
“No, he’s inside. He left his phone. And he drove weird.”
“Hang up and call 911. Tell them what you told me. Do not let him drive you anywhere.”
“O-okay.”
“Good job calling me,” I said.
“I don’t like him, Cain.” His voice was quiet. “I wanna come home.”
“Yeah, I don’t like him either. Call who I told you to call, and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”