Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I hadn’t paid much attention in health class, but with the blood near his head, I remember the teacher telling us to elevate the head and shoulders slightly. I removed my polo shirt and wadded it up to place under his head, hoping I wasn’t making everything worse. “I believe he should lay still and his body straight, just in case there’s a spinal cord injury.”
“I’m sorry,” Mrs. Brooks said, drawing my attention to her anguish. She passed the phone to her mom and came to Beau, drawing him up. Her hands covered each of his cheeks. They stood inches apart.
Her words tumbled out so rapidly it was hard to understand. “Your dad has a legal order to take you back to Alabama. They know about you and Dash. They have photos. I’ll fight this Beau. I promise you.” She circled her arms around him, hugging him tightly. “Do what he says. Don’t be defiant. He’s promised not to hurt you. I’ll be back with you in Alabama as soon as I can get there.”
“I’m goin’ back to Alabama?” He stared at his mother in utter confusion. My brain blipped as I tried to grasp the seriousness of what was happening to Beau.
“Son, this doesn’t have to be difficult. It’d be better for everyone if you voluntarily got inside your father’s truck,” an officer said with empathy, keeping a courteous distance from Beau and his mother.
“Fuck that,” his father yelled and pointed to the truck between the patrol cars. “Get in the fuckin’ truck. I’m tired of all this. You’re legally in my custody.”
He held a file folder in hand with a picture of Beau and I at the Fourth of July fireworks celebration. I’d purposefully stood behind him, admiring his ass. I hadn’t let up on my request for a PDA. Reluctantly Beau placed his hand between me and him. The handhold had only lasted about fifteen seconds. Who had been there to take our picture? I hadn’t seen any photographers for days.
The fault of the day rested solely on my shoulders.
It was hard to believe the promise of no abuse as Beau’s father stalked toward him, rage on his face. “Get in my fuckin’ truck. I’m not sayin’ it again.”
“What about my stuff?” He set his shoulders and feet, readying to battle, but the glance he gave me spoke of sorrow and regret. He knew he was out of options.
Oh no. My palms began to sweat as the understanding that Beau was leaving me forever seeped past my rapidly building barriers. My anxiety spiked into the stratosphere, making me breathy and scared.
“There’s nothin’ here you need.” He gripped Beau’s bicep to drag him across the yard. My guy stumbled as he held my stare the entire way. How did I tell him that I loved him? I’d wait for however long I had to.
“Stay the fuck away from him.” His father aimed his disgust and anger toward me as he yanked open the truck door. I’d started toward Beau without even realizing I had. His father’s vicious sneer had me halting. I didn’t want to make this more difficult for Beau than it already was. “Whatever this was is done. If you contact him, I’ll get a restrainin’ order and press harassment charges against you. The papers are ready to be filed.”
“Take care of my paw, and my mom,” Beau called out, his voice cracking before his head was shoved from behind into the backseat of the pickup.
I nodded, watching the tears well in his eyes. My heart darted across the lawn, going with Beau, wherever he was being taken. He stared at me through the window of the truck as the engine roared to life. I jogged toward him as I absorbed a death punch to the center of my chest. He continued to stare at me, turning his head to look out the back window until he couldn’t be seen.
I was stunned and dropped my hands to my knees, keeping myself upright as I gasped for air. I needed to call my father. He was powerful. Surely he could do something.
Until then, I had to do what my love asked. When I started back to the yard, I found Beau’s mom behind me, taking me into a loving hold. The police finally stopped the charade of protection from this family and began helping Beau’s grandparents.
“I’m sorry,” she muttered with tears in her voice. “I don’t know how he got hold of that picture. I didn’t see it anywhere in the news but be sure that I’ll fight to get my boy back. I promise. His dad won’t hurt him. He’s just loud and intimidating. Beau knows how to handle him.”
Her words appeared to reassure herself more than me. I held her tighter as the sounds of the approaching ambulance grew closer.