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. Theyâre 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.
âI want to do this. As long as the five of them can be with me. I donât want to do it alone.â
Mom steps over to me and takes my hand. âThatâs fine. Weâll make it work.â
âIâll call George right now,â 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. Iâm nauseous, and the intensity of this room is making my skin crawl.
âI spoke with George,â 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.
âHe talked with one of the detectives he knows at the police station. He agreed to come to the house and take everyoneâs statements. George will be present to help guide you all through answering the questions. Iâm going to go call the rest of your parents and give them a heads-up as well.â
âThanks, Dad,â I say quietly.
He nods and leaves the room. Awkwardness ensues again.
I donât need this right now. I need fun, entertainment. Whereâs 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 donât want to.
Right before the questioningâor whatever is about to happenâbegins, Aaron pulls me aside and into his arms.
âBreathe. I know youâre scared, but Iâm going to be right here. If you get upset or you need a minute, just squeeze my hand. Iâve got you.â
I hold him tightly and breathe deeply. I know heâs got me. He always does. I trust him with everything inside me. âThank you,â I breathe.
âYou donât have to thank me for this. Iâm always here for you. Iââ
âRae, weâre ready for you.â
Aaron and I pull apart and glance at each other, the weight of what weâre about to do combined with what we didnât say but wanted to, settling on us.
âOkay.â
âIf you feel uncomfortable answering any question, let me know,â George says.
I nod and sit down in the most comfortable chair.
âWhenever youâre ready, you can start,â the detective says. âIâll stop you if I need to ask a question.â
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Iâm 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 doesnât haunt me like this anymore.
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