Page 165 of Two Guys, a Girl, and a Tripod

“I can’t- I can’t imagine what-”

“Don’t do that to yourself.” Caroline places a hand on my arm and we come to a stop a few feet from the front door. Her blue eyes flicker between the hallway and my face.

Caroline leaves and as I turn away from the door, my phone rings in my pocket. I never turn on the ringer, in case someone calls or texts during a session or shoot. I turned it on earlier in the hopes that Sophie would call me. Natalie’s name stares back at me on the screen.

Before I can say hello, she practically yells into the phone.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?”

“Natalie, we’ve got her.” The words tumble out.

“I should’ve been your first motherfucking call. What happened? Where was she? Was it Caleb?”

I wait for her to take a breath before I speak.

“It was Caleb,” I confirm, but then bite my lip, unsure how much I should tell her. “She, er… Natalie, they hurt her.” My voice breaks.

“I’m gonna fucking kill them.” Her voice is low, dangerous, and I admire her commitment to her friend.

“No need. They’re gone.”

“How is she? What can I do? I’m leaving now.”

“Stay in San Francisco,” I urge. Sophie wouldn’t forgive herself if Natalie cut short a work trip for her. “We’ll take care of her, I promise. I’ll send you the address and you can come by after your trip.”

“Fuck that, I’m coming homenow.”

“You can’t do anything for her. She’s here, she’s resting, we’ll give her everything she needs.”

Silence greets my words and I wait while Natalie processes. Or decides what to do. I’m not sure what’s happening in her brain.

“If she asks for me, I’m coming home early.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’ll see you Thursday afternoon.”

It could have been worse.

The thought bounces around my brain as sunlight floods through the window. Booker didn’t tell us how he found Sophie. He didn’t tell us the state she was in when he saved her.

It could have been worse.

Brody is asleep in the armchair, his head leaning back, mouth open while he snores. I haven’t been able to shut my eyes. I tried, an hour or so after Caroline left, but all I could think about was what Caleb and Jesse did to Sophie. What they might have done if Booker hadn’t arrived when he did.

Sophie’s backrises and falls beneath the blanket. Her body clearly needs the rest. We never bothered to pull her ruined clothes from beneath her, not wanting to disturb her until she’s ready.

“Miles.” Her voice is so soft, I almost miss it. “Brody.”

I scurry to her, practically falling out of the chair in my haste, and kneel beside the bed. My movements wake Brody and he follows suit. I place my hand on hers and try to smile.

“Hey,” I whisper. I can feel the sting of tears in my eyes as relief washes over me. Her eyes are open and clear while she looks between us. “Hey, Sophie. We’re here.” I rub my thumb over her knuckles.

“Sophie,” Brody breathes. “You’re safe, it’s ok.”

“Caleb?” she asks.

“He’s not going to hurt you again,” Brody says through clenched teeth. “Neveragain.”

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