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Smiling, I gripped Eric's shoulders. I knew the guilt of leaving them behind had been crushing him along with everything else. He released a breath.

"Yeah, after being butthurt and deciding that this was not about us and it was for a greater good, we agreed. I'm sorry we took so long," Mrs. Fletcher apologized.

"Are you joking?" Matt sniffled. "Thanks so much for your help. You're incredible parents. I know this must have been hard for you. We're so grateful."

"Ah, we're just happy to help. We want Lily back safely and we're doing all we can behind the scenes to make that happen. After all, we can't wait to meet her. We're happy we can do something other than think about the areas where we failed and focusing on everything we've lost. I have faith that this will all work out in the end." Mrs. Fletcher examined her son and her voice cracked, the sole indication that she might cry. "So stop your worry, Eric. We've got therapists galore. Hell, we have so much, we could even give you one."

Eric's lips tilted up and I mirrored him. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea. We could all use one," I uttered. It registered after I smiled that this could be the first time I'd had this genuine breath of peace since this whole ordeal.

"You sound happier. I'm glad." Eric cleared his throat and returned to his room, closing us out of the rest of his conversation with the people we were indebted to.

Matt, Ethan and I managed a half smile. We were getting somewhere. As we were heading off to our own rooms, Eric popped his head out again.

"Everything okay?" I asked.

He nodded and stepped toward us. "I, um. I know this has been a rough ride for all of us. I just want to say I'm sorry I ever, you know, made out that it was through any fault of yours —" He cleared his throat. "You know, for leaving Lily — I'm sorry for blaming you. Of course I know it wasn't your fault. I was just looking for someone to be angry at, because I couldn't make any sense out of it..." He struggled.

"It's okay." I put my hand up. "I understand."

Though I will admit that it stung, I was relieved. His accusations were directed at all three of us at one point and even today, I felt that he still held that grudge.

"Hey, and I'm sorry for trying to force you into getting your parents involved, which led to the crash," Matt dropped his head.

"Come here." Eric holds his arms out.

Matt hesitated, squirming a little, before falling into the hug. Fuck. Yes, we were grown men who cried like babies and we needed hugs right then.

"It's okay. From now on, no more blame. We stick together. We don't fight over who has more of Lily when she gets back either." Eric patted Matt.

"When she gets back," I agreed, making eye contact with Ethan before we all surrendered to the hug.

Chapter 15

Terry

"What the hell have you gotten yourself into now?" my girlfriend screamed at me as soon as I opened the door. I paused in the doorway and took in the wreckage.

"What the fuck happened?" I coughed against the pain wracking my body. I'd been run into by a truck, literally. Those men were strong as fuck. I didn't know what I was thinking, making them angry. This was a fucking bad idea.

"Don't pretend you don't know what's happened! What have you done? And why were they here asking about Lily?" She yelled, taking a moment to look over my swollen eye and busted lip. I had a feeling she was getting a kick out of it, since I'd colored her skin a few times before. It was her fault for not fighting back with her bull-looking ass. She could crush me if she tried. Fucking bitch must love the aggression.

"I don't know why they were asking about Lily!" I yelled. "Get me some motherfucking ice!" I flipped her off.

"Fuck that. You've gotta leave the house, Terry. You can't stay here. I don't want anyone else popping up here looking for you. You could've gotten me killed!" She trembled.

I thought about threatening her, but the truth was, I couldn't hurt a fly right then. I needed an ice bath, some rest, and a plan. This had been taken too far and had gone on long enough.

"I ain't going nowhere. Run me a bath and give me some privacy. Hell." I stormed into the bedroom and slammed the door.

"I'm not messing around this time, Terry! I'll call the cops!" She blared like a foghorn.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered to myself, pulling out my phone that got smashed after I got several shades beaten out of me. "Come on, man. Pick up the fucking phone!"

To be honest, I almost withered away into dust when I turned that corner and saw Lily's men. There was something in their eyes that wasn't present before. Something that gave me chills. I should've known that other guy was feeding me bullshit, but when I get drunk, I promise people things all the time. It wasn't so crazy to think that I'd been out drinking and met this man, saw how expensive he looked and thought I could score a deal under the table. So, when he showed up, I didn't ask questions.

Fuck, I needed to get in control of my drinking.

Lily's lap dogs weren't as simple-minded as they first appeared. They were dangerous. And that new guy they brought along with them, he switched up way too fast, from charismatic to wild, like a fucking animal. He caught my co-worker like a rat in a trap.

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