Page 41 of Between Hate and Desire

“6-6-6.” She spins around to face me with a deadpan expression.

“Lennon.” I step toward her, but she puts up a hand to stop me from coming any closer.

“Like I said,” she says with harsh emphasis, “you haven’t been nice to me in two years, so there’s no reason to start now. Give me my phone, and I’ll forward you the contact info. I can callmysisters.”

Lennon holds out her palm, and I reluctantly deposit her phone into it. I can’t even argue with her, especially now. I’ve been a grade A asshole to her, there’s no denying that, but she doesn’t understand the circumstances of why I had to be—why I had to push her away.

I walk away without responding, not wanting to say anything I’ll regret later. She’s not going to let me in easily, but regardless, she’ll need all the support she can get over the next few weeks, months, hell, maybe even years. We still live together, after all.

After taking a shower and getting dressed, I decide it’s time to do the inevitable and tell Mason and Liam. They’re probably both working, but I can’t let more time pass without letting them know.

Hunter

Brandon was in a motorcycle accident late last night. Can you two come over today?

I don’t want to tell them via text or over the phone, but I don’t want to tell them in person either. Seeing their crushed faces will be hard.

Mason

Shit, man. He okay?

Liam

Told that dumbass he couldn’t ride for shit!

Hunter

Just come over, okay?

Mason

I can be there within the hour.

Liam

Same.

I swallow the tight knot in my throat and am already dreading the rest of this fucking nightmarish day.

By the time I make it back into the living room, Sophie and Maddie are on the couch with Lennon. No one’s talking, but Lennon’s sisters sit next to her. I feel better knowing she’s with family and am glad they can give her some comfort.

I text my boss around seven to explain the situation and let him know I won’t be in. Then I think about Lennon’s job. She’s so dedicated, but there’s no way she’s going to be able to work in her emotional state. I hope she’s not stubborn and takes the time off. She’s going to need to process everything.

Then I call Brandon’s boss and go through the same emotional roller coaster once again. He gives me his deepest apologies and asks me to inform them when and where the funeral will be held.

Speaking of which, I decide to call Mrs. Locke to see if anyone has contacted them yet.

“He’s really gone,” she says with uneven breaths after confirming with the medical examiner and sharing the details. “I don’t know how to survive this.”

I do my best to tell her we’ll get through this together and that I’m here for whatever she needs. His parents shouldn’t plan his funeral alone, so I offer to meet with them tomorrow at the church to discuss the details.

Shortly after we end the call, there’s a knock on the door, and I dread having to tell my two other best friends. I open the door and let them in. They look at Lennon and her sisters and then at me.

“Dude, what’s going on? Locke okay?” Mason asks.

“Is he at the hospital?” Liam glances around me.

Shaking my head, I lower my eyes. “He didn’t…make it, guys.”

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