Page 143 of Hate You Up Close

“Hey!” Everett booms, rushing to stand between us. His palms hit my chest, shoving me back to create more space. “I don’t know what the hell crawled up your ass, but that’s the last time youeverspeak to my fiancée like that. You understand me?”

Oh, God.Here we fucking go.

“Sure, Everett,” I scoff loudly, my voice echoing off the walls. “Let me just take a seat on the couch and act like everything is fine and dandy. Like Roxanne isn't out driving after drinking God knows how much!”

My stomach churns and I feel like I could throw up any second now.

“Elliot,” Skylar chimes in, stepping around Everett. “Roxanne was completely fine when I spoke with her. She didn't even seem buzzed. Trust me, I would haveneverlet her leave if she seemed even a little intoxicated. I’m sure she only had one drink, maybe two. You’re overacting.”

My eyes practically bug out of my head as I glare daggers at Skylar.

“I’m overreacting?” I shout, piercing through the silence like a siren. “Why is no one else reacting at all?”

I hear a whimper come from the living room, and I think it’s my mom. She hasn't seen this much emotion from me in years.

“But guess what?” I continue. “Nobody fucking cares about Elliot.No one ever fucking cares! Sheis the only one who does.”

She’s my heart.

I hear another whimper, but this time, I think it comes from me.

Through blurry eyes, my gaze locks on an old picture of me hanging on the wall. My parents have had this particular photo up for as long as I can remember. I’m probably eight years old,completely innocent, with no idea of the hell that my future would hold.

A tear leaks from the corner of my eye as I reach for the photo before ripping it off the wall. It crashes to the floor, shattering into a million pieces.

Everett tosses a protective arm out in front of Skylar and pushes her back as she places a shaky hand over her mouth.

“Back up, angel,” Everett calmly whispers to Skylar. “Just give him some space. Something is clearly going on that we don’t know about.”

She nods as tears brim her eyes.

My fingers tremble, running them through my hair as I pace back and forth in the hallway. I dig out my phone, checking to see if Roxanne has called me back.

She hasn't.

I check my texts, hoping she might have sent me a message. Just so I would know that she’s okay.

But she hasn't texted me either.

“Fuck!” I curse, pulling at the short strands of my hair.

Everett steps close to me, roughly taking my face between his palms to get me to stop pacing. His eyes dart between mine, making sure he has my full attention.

“Let’s go outside,” he mutters, loud enough for only us to hear. “Let’s go outside, take a breather, and get a hold of Roxy. Yeah?”

Get a hold of Roxy.

Those four words bring me a tiny sliver of hope. I would do anything to hear her voice right now. To know that I didn’t ruin her life like I knew I would.

I should have fucking stayed away.

“Elliot,” Everett repeats, shaking my head between his hands. “Do you hear me? Let’s go outside and call Roxy. Okay?”

I nod, staring at my older brother as another tear slips down my cheek. I don’t know if my uncontrollable emotions are from anger, fear, or regret. Maybe it’s all three.

“Let’s go,” Everett croaks before wrapping an arm around my shoulder and walking out with me by his side.

Once we make it outside and into the night air, Everett releases his hold on my shoulder and spins to face me.