Page 3 of Loving Wild

“Fuck face?” is how Cooper answers the phone. I don’t know why, but the sound of my big brother’s voice causes a lump in my throat, and I’m silent for a beat too long as I try to swallow it down.

“Gabe?”

“Yeah,” I say after finally clearing my throat. “Listen, we’re okay, but can you come to the hospital and pick me and Lauren up?”

“If you’re okay, why are you at the hospital?”

I take another moment, this time to draw in a breath before I talk.

“He came to the fucking house.”

“Who?”

I open my mouth to answer, but Coop works it out for himself. “East? East came to the house? You okay? Lauren?”

“I was in the fucking shower?”

“Gabe. Fuck. Did he touch her?”

“Yeah. He’s punched and kicked her. Stamped on her fingers. They’ve checked her out, but nothing’s broken, so they’re letting her home.”

“You okay?”

“Physically, yeah. Mentally . . . Coop, I want something done.”

“Are the police involved?”

“Yeah, but I want something done, Coop. He came to our fucking home and put his hands on her . . .”

“Yeah, yeah. I get that. I’ll make some calls. Don’t you do anything stupid. Sit tight and I’ll come and get you.”

“Thanks, appreciated. Can you call Freddie, let him know what’s happened? I want an AVO served on that fucker as soon as they pick him up.”

“On it,” Coop replies.

“And Zac, ask him to go to my place and check the cops locked up properly, ask if he’ll stay there till we get back? I don’t want that fucker sneaking . . .”

“Of course. We’ll sort it, don’t stress.”

“Cheers,” is all I add.

“Love you, brother, just sit tight.”

I end that call and make my next.

I get Ryder on his way back from the city, and I almost choke again as I explain what happened, so decide to keep it blunt.

“Your dad came to our place. I was in the shower. I’m not sure if he knocked or caught your mum as she went out to the car . . .”

“Fuck. Is she . . .?”

“No, she’s not. I’m done. I let her handle things her way last time. This time I’m doing it my way. She’s pressing charges, and he better hope the police pick him up before I fucking do.”

“You do what you gotta do, man, but is my mum okay?”

“No, she’s freaked, and she’s hurt.”

“I’ll come straight to yours.”