Falling Like This (Friends Like This Book 2) by Bethany Monaco Smith

Author:Bethany Monaco Smith [Monaco Smith, Bethany]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

Everyone looks up when we enter the room. Mom and Dad both stand up. They’re not making me feel calm about this.

I glance up at Aaron, and he immediately wraps his hand around mine. I take a steadying breath.

I can do this, I tell myself.

“I want to do this. As long as the five of them can be with me. I don’t want to do it alone.”

Mom steps over to me and takes my hand. “That’s fine. We’ll make it work.”

“I’ll call George right now,” Dad says, referencing the local lawyer that all of our parents have used for years.

An awkward, uncertain silence follows after Dad leaves the room. I’m nauseous, and the intensity of this room is making my skin crawl.

“I spoke with George,” Dad says, returning to the room after what feels like hours, and causing me to jump. Aaron squeezes my hand tighter, telling me to calm the fuck down.

Hah. Yeah, right.

“He talked with one of the detectives he knows at the police station. He agreed to come to the house and take everyone’s statements. George will be present to help guide you all through answering the questions. I’m going to go call the rest of your parents and give them a heads-up as well.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I say quietly.

He nods and leaves the room. Awkwardness ensues again.

I don’t need this right now. I need fun, entertainment. Where’s Jesse when you need him?

It takes almost an hour for George and the detective to get to the house. My stomach twists into knots with each passing minute. Reliving this again? Again? I don’t want to.

Right before the questioning—or whatever is about to happen—begins, Aaron pulls me aside and into his arms.

“Breathe. I know you’re scared, but I’m going to be right here. If you get upset or you need a minute, just squeeze my hand. I’ve got you.”

I hold him tightly and breathe deeply. I know he’s got me. He always does. I trust him with everything inside me. “Thank you,” I breathe.

“You don’t have to thank me for this. I’m always here for you. I—”

“Rae, we’re ready for you.”

Aaron and I pull apart and glance at each other, the weight of what we’re about to do combined with what we didn’t say but wanted to, settling on us.

“Okay.”

“If you feel uncomfortable answering any question, let me know,” George says.

I nod and sit down in the most comfortable chair.

“Whenever you’re ready, you can start,” the detective says. “I’ll stop you if I need to ask a question.”

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I’m immediately transported back to that moment. Aaron just walked off the dance floor. A tear slides down my cheek, but I quickly wipe it away and open my eyes. Another deep breath and I start telling the story, wondering if there will ever be a day when it doesn’t haunt me like this anymore.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.