Page 102 of The Keeper
I lean back and look him in the eye again.
“You are what kept me sane, Jer. Knowing you were out there and that you loved me and you didn’t think the horrible things Frank said you did.”
Mack’s arms begin to release when he sees Jeremy isn’t going to throw any more punches. Jeremy takes the opportunity to shift his body so he’s leaning back against the wall. But he doesn’t say anything. He just stares blankly at the ceiling, tears streaming from the sides of his eyes, down his cheekbones to his neck.
I scoot over and sit next to him, just how we sat a few weeks ago in my kitchen when I first told him what happened. I lean my head on his shoulder and wrap my arms around his muscular right bicep, trying to think of words that can comfort him.
“I promise you that I’ve never wanted to hurt myself again. I just had one moment of weakness where I couldn’t see any flicker of hope. But my life is so different now, and you’re a big part of that. Your support and encouragement and love. It helps make me feel strong.”
He lets out a long exhale and then leans his head down, placing a kiss into my hair.
“We’re a mess, kid.”
I laugh a little, wiping away the last of my tears.
“But we’re gonna be okay,” I reply.
And when we both lift our heads and look at each other, I know we both believe it’s true.
* * * * *
The three of us slowly make our way to the parking lot outside of the arena. I told Mack that before I get on the bus back to the hotel with the team, I wanted to see my dad. Jeremy said it was a bad idea, but relented when I told him I needed to say something to him that was important.
Mack has stayed mostly quiet in the moments since Jeremy’s breakdown in the tunnel, but I can tell he’s brimming with questions. As Jeremy walks ahead of us, I hang back just a few feet and let my fingers brush against Mack’s palm.
“We’ll talk,” I say quietly. “Don’t worry.”
He looks relieved, and opens his mouth to say something when he’s interrupted by an irate Jeremy.
“Where the fuck is my car?” Jeremy shouts.
My head whips to the left, then I let my eyes roam over the few dozen cars still parked and the families and spectators walking through the lot towards their own vehicles.
“Are you sure you parked it here?” I ask, walking away from him to scan further down the line. A black SUV isn’t going to stick out like a sore thumb, not like my Trusty Rusty does.
“Yes, Rachel, I’m not a complete idiot,” Jeremy calls out to me as he walks in the other direction.
I laugh as I turn away from him, cutting between a few cars to go to the next lane and continue the search.
“You sure about that?” I call back even louder, a teasing lilt to my voice.
When I emerge from between two vehicles and step out into the next lane, there are no cars driving anywhere near where I am walking. Which is why I’m startled when I hear a screech from behind me.
I turn my head just slightly but before I can see anything I feel a sharp pain on my right side.
I feel my feet lift off the ground and wind rushing around my body.
And then I don’t feel anything.
Chapter Nineteen
The first thing I hear is a siren.
It’s really far away, but getting louder by the second.
Then I hear voices.
Lots of them.
