Page 22 of Lost in Life

The nurse looks at me helplessly. “Nov…” I try, taking a step toward them.

Nova holds up a hand, glaring at me. “Don’t you fucking dare.” They snap. “Why are you still here anyway? I agreed for you to drive me and you did. So you can leave now.” Turning their back on me, they continue arguing with the medical staff.

“Miss, you need to calm down or I’m going to need to get security.” Nova’s face flushes before heating up. Before they can explode on the poor girl just trying to do her job, I grab hold of Nova’s arm, directing their fury at me.

Glaring at my hand, they demand, speaking slowly through clenched teeth, “West. Let go of me.”

I shake my head, reaching my free hand forward to grip their chin. Forcing their gaze up to mine, I make my voice as stern as I can, despite my own need to lash out for someone causing them so much pain. “Nova. You need to calm down.” Leaning forward, I lower my voice as I continue. “They’re going to kick you out if you keep this up. You won’t be any help to him then, will you?” I pull back, keeping my grip on them.

Jaw locked, Nova darts their eyes between the weary nurse and me. After several long seconds, they give a curt nod, the anger crumbling as they finally let go. “He didn’t do this, West. I’m telling you.” Nova insists, pleading with me to believe them.

Stroking their jaw with my thumb, I nod my agreement. “I believe you, peanut. We’ll find whoever did this and make them pay.” Holding their gaze, I swear, “I promise. Theywillpay.”

Nova blinks back tears, wrapping their arms around me, their body slumping in my hold. I instinctively pull them closer, wrapping my own arms around them.

We stand like that, seeking comfort from one another like we used to so long ago. The spell is broken only by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

“Excuse me.” An older feminine voice cuts through.

Suppressing a sigh, I release Nova, my arms feeling empty. Nova turns toward the voice, wiping away the tears with their sleeve.

Looking between us, the police officer pulls out a small notepad. “Are you Miss Harlan?” She directs the question toward Nova.

Clenching their jaw, Nova inclines their head. “Nova, please.”

Offering a small smile, the officer makes a note. “Yes, of course, Nova. I’m Detective Penelope Lopez, and I just have a few questions about Mr. Barlow.”

My hands clench as I force myself to remain calm despite the urge to run as far away as possible from any form of law enforcement. I can feel the walls of the prison closing in around me again just by being in her vicinity.

“Hey party boy.” I flinch at the sound of Enzino’s voice. My cellmate steps up closer to me, a twinkle in his eyes that sends a shudder through my body. A low chuckle sounds as he slips the make-shift shiv out of his sleeve. “Ready to play?”

I try to stifle the pained noise at the memory, my leg aching from where he stabbed into my flesh repeatedly.

His favorite pastime.

The detective glances my way and I quickly avert my gaze, feeling beads of sweat break out on my forehead.

I can’t go back.

Maybe I wouldn’t be as nervous if I didn’t have more product burning a hole in my pocket. Guess we’ll never know because I’m about ten seconds from having a heart attack if I can’t get myself under control.

Nova says something, pulling Detective Lopez’s attention away. I feel their hand slip into mine. A wave of calm washes over me from the small connection. Nova squeezes my hand, glancing at me from the corner of their eye. I try to smile, to reassure them, but it falls flat as my heart beats irregularly.

All I can think of is not returning to jail. The need to stay free from the confines of that prison cell fills me. Because even if I don’t wind up with Enzino again, there’s not exactly a great bunch of other guys waiting for me behind the concrete walls.

And so I do the one thing I shouldn’t, the thing that got me in this mess to begin with.

“Excuse me.” I mumble, pulling my hand from Nova’s grip and turning to leave. I can feel eyes boring into my back as I retreat. Shame fills me as I yet again abandon Nova when they need me the most.

I’m such a coward.

Nova

“Thank you for your time, Nova.” Detective Lopez says, snapping her notepad closed. “I’ll be in touch.” She turns to leave, pausing and pulling something from her pocket. “If you think of anything else, give me a call.” Handing me her business card, she walks toward the nursing station, stopping to speak with one of the doctors who have been treating Hollis.

I stare blankly down at the small card in my hand.

He left me. Again.

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