Page 35 of Someone Like You

“Jordan,” I said, feeling my patience dwindle and my panic build. “What, exactly, is wrong with him? Why is he having ahard time? Can I just—can you let me in? I just want to see him. He hasn’t been responding to any of my messages and he never showed up tonight, so I’m worried. I’vebeenworried.”

Jordan looked me up and down, slowly, biting his lower lip while he seemed to calculate something in his mind. The other guy, Cameron, just walked away, disinterested. Then Jordan said, “Hmm. Maybe he’ll be happy to see you. But I don’t know, he doesn’t want to be around anyone right now, not even me. Even though we share a room, so that’s not really a wish I’ve been able to fulfill?—”

“Just take me to him, Jordan,” I gritted out. “And if he really doesn’t want to see me, I’ll leave.”

Jordan narrowed his eyes at me, then said, “Fine. Follow me.”

I followed him into the house, up the stairs, and down to the end of the hall. Their door was closed and barely any light was coming through the small sliver of space at the bottom. Jordan knocked and said softly, “Isaac, I’m coming in.” He cracked the door open and poked his head inside. “Isaac, honey?”

A small voice somewhere in the room said weakly, “Go away.”

“There’s someone here to see you.”

There was no response. Jordan turned to me and whispered, “That’s actually the first time he’s spoken today.”

Why wasn’t he speaking? Fuck this.

I brushed past Jordan, who gasped and said, “No, you can’t?—”

“Isaac,” I said, letting my eyes adjust to the dim lighting. The shades were drawn and did a good job of keeping out most of the light, but I was able to make out a small lump in the bed on the right side of the room. It moved, and a little tuft of blond hair was revealed, then dainty fingers that curled back the blanket to reveal his face. Even in the low light, I could see there wassomething seriously wrong with Isaac. There were deep shadows beneath his eyes and they’d lost their luster. His hair was a shaggy mess and his cheeks looked hollower, his skin paler. I felt like a knife had been plunged into my gut.

“Isaac,” I said hoarsely, stepping closer as those dull eyes followed me. “What’s wrong, baby? What happened? Are you sick?”

“Brody,” he whispered. His voice was raspy, like he hadn’t been drinking enough, like he’d been screaming for hours on end. He turned his head away from me to face the wall, his fingers clutching the blanket so hard they were stark white. And they were trembling.

“Isaac,” I said, feeling defeated. “Sweetheart…tell me what’s wrong.” My chest felt so tight, watching him turn away from me. I moved closer, until I was standing over him. I wanted to take him into my arms so badly, but I didn’t want to set him off. “Can I hold you?” I whispered.

Isaac turned again, raising those dull green eyes slowly to mine. “Okay,” he croaked. He sounded…fuck, he soundedscared, and I had no idea why. Was he scared ofme? Did I do this? I thought my heart might actually break if that was the case.

“Okay,” I said softly. “I’m gonna come under there with you, okay?” I moved slowly, gripping the top of the blanket and watching his face for any indication he’d changed his mind. But he just nodded and scooted closer to the wall to make room for me.

I quickly toed my boots off and climbed in behind him, resting one arm above his head and bringing the covers back up. Then I wrapped my other arm around his front, palming his stomach and pressing him firmly against me. He shuddered and let out a harsh breath, and before I could ask if this was okay, ifhe wanted me to leave, he grabbed my forearm with both hands and squeezed it against himself.

“Is this okay?” I murmured into his hair. Flyaway strands were tickling my nose and cheek, but I just dug my face deeper until my lips were right behind his ear.

“Yes,” he whispered. My beautiful fucking boy was a shadow of himself right now, and I wanted to find whatever or whoever had made him this way and rip their spine from their throat. But first I would lie here with him and give him whatever comfort I could offer.

When he lifted his head and grabbed the arm I was resting on the pillow above him, bringing it down underneath his head to use as a pillow, I pulled him even closer with my other arm. He slowly, almost hesitantly, curled the back of his hand in my open palm, sifting his fingers through mine, trying to link them together. I completed the link and curled our fingers inward, holding him tightly. My heart felt like it was bleeding out, and a wave of intense protectiveness and possessiveness crashed over me. Fuck, this prickly little porcupine was so goddamn sweet when he lowered his spikes and I wanted all of what he could offer for myself.

“Whatever happened,” I murmured near his ear, “you are still the most beautiful boy I’ve ever met, inside and out. You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m right here for you. I won’t let anyone hurt you, Isaac.”

His fingers tightened in an almost painful grip, and his body began to shiver against mine. I heard a small whimper, almost inaudible, so I began whispering to him.

Shh you’re okay, everything’s gonna be okay, shh shh I’ve got you, sweetheart, I’ve got you.

I rubbed my palm up and down his torso, with his small hand circled around my wrist and following the movements.Gradually, his shudders eased up and his breathing evened out, deepening, and I knew he’d fallen asleep.

I didn’t move for a long time. The light began to fade and the room slowly darkened until it was nighttime and no light was left. Isaac stayed asleep, snoring lightly, and even though my arm had fallen asleep, I wasn’t about to move it for anything.

Jordan came in a little while later, moving quietly around the room and using what I assumed was his phone’s flashlight to see.

“Jordan,” I said quietly, making sure I didn’t wake Isaac. He was still snoring, thank god.

“Yeah?”

“Tell me what happened.”

Jordan sighed, and I heard him come closer. “It’s not really my place,” he said.

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