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If the way his piercing blue eyes narrow on me is any indication, he doesn’t miss the fact I don’t make him any promises. Nevertheless, he lets it go. If anyone understands how much family has to come first, it’s Marcus.
I left my mum and sister behind to come to university, which never would have been possible without Marcus and his father funding me. They both agreed it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, but that doesn’t mean I was keen on leaving.
My sister was only nine-years-old when I left, but Mum, despite her many flaws, assured me she could cope with raising Courtney, and I believed her. Still, I phone regularly, and send them money, so I know they’re not struggling.
Court has always maintained everything is fine, and she even encouraged me not to come home for the holidays. She’d tell me all the time that I need to live my own life, not worry about them, so I took her at her word. But after hearing her yesterday, I’m worried I made a lot of wrong choices.
Once I’ve finished packing, I make my way to the door. Marcus stops me and pulls me in for a hug. “Call me when you get there and let me know what’s going on. Tell Court I miss her.”
Marcus has been part of Courtney’s life since she was a baby, and they see each other as siblings. He’s just as protective of her as I am. “I will,” I reassure him with a smile as I pull away.
Jacob is standing beside Marcus, shuffling from one foot to the other, looking uncomfortable. His arms are twitching, asthough he’s contemplating pulling me in for a hug too, but I deliberately take a step back before he can decide.
He may be confused, but I’m not. I’m done letting him hurt me.
When he sees the distance I’ve created between us, there’s a flash of hurt in his sparkling chocolate eyes that I purposefully ignore. My stomach sinks as my heart races, a little flash of hope betraying me.
“I hope your family is okay,” he tells me, sounding more sincere than I’ve heard from him in a while.
“Thanks,” I mutter, not sure what else I can say. I turn back to Marcus. “Stay safe on the trip, and for fuck’s sake, don’t get into any trouble without me there to bail you out.”
Marcus lets out a chuckle as he waves his hand at me dismissively. “I make no promises.”
We say our goodbyes and I head outside to my car, throwing all of my possessions into the back seat. Both Marcus and Jacob stand by the side of the road, waving me off as I start the journey back home. My mind is racing, and I wonder what the hell kind of situation I’m about to walk into.
BANG.BANG. BANG!
After the third time of knocking on my mum’s front door, my nerves are prickling, and the knotting I’ve had in my gut since Courtney’s phone call worsens.
I’m pissed that my key doesn’t work, and that there’s a car in the drive I don’t recognise. The curtains are closed, despite it being the middle of the day, and the garden looks completelyunkempt. In fact, the whole house looks a bit on the disgusting side, which is throwing me, as I was under the impression Mum was coping fine.
She’s always struggled, ever since our dad left when we were young. She’s had her rough patches, and hasn’t always been the greatest single parent, but we’ve managed.
Since I became old enough to help around the house, and contribute financially, things have been good. That’s why I felt comfortable leaving for three years to go to university. I’m thinking I made a big mistake.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and call Courtney. After about the fifth ring, she picks up. “Hi, Mi.”
“Court, where are you? I’m at the house. What the hell is going on?” I try to keep the panic from my voice, to protect my sister, but I’m not sure how great a job I’m doing.
“Did anyone answer the door?” she asks, sounding almost shaky.
“No. Why? Who did you think would answer?”
My heart is beating out of my chest, and all the unanswered questions are sending my head into a spin.
“It doesn’t matter. Can you meet me?”
“Where are you, Courtney?”
There’s a short pause, and the silence is killing me. Just when I’m about to demand answers, her tiny voice echoes through the speaker. “I’m at the Sundown Motel, on the edge of town.”
I have to focus on taking a few deep breaths, so that I stay calm when I respond. “Why the fuck are you at a motel?”
“Please, just come and meet me, and I’ll explain everything. I’m in room four.”
Before I can ask anything more, she hangs up the phone. “Motherfucker!” I shout, sliding my phone back into my pocket.
I race over to my car, my thoughts running a million miles a minute, and I hope like hell that the real story isn’t anywhere near as awful as the negative things I’m thinking.