Page 43 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
Littletraitor leaving me alone with him. The five pound blond at the bar is shootinghateful looks in my direction. Before Landon can speak, I gesture to her. “Yourdate seems a bit pissed off. You should probably tend to her.”
“She’snot here with me, and I’d rather tend to you.” His eyes travel down my body,leaving no doubt what kind of tending he’s contemplating.
Amillion smartass remarks fly through my mind, but I don’t have time to chooseone. Ethan is ringing my phone. He never calls unless something is wrong. “Zo?I need to go to the hospital. You have to hurry,” he says as soon as I answer.
Coldfear drips down my spine. “Ethan? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“No.”His voice is choked. “It’s Colin. He tried to kill himself.”
Ohgod. Colin has spent a lot of time at our house. He’s a sweet kid, shy andsmart. Why would he do this? “I’m on my way.”
Landonhas been listening to my end of the conversation. “Is Ethan okay?”
“Yeah,his friend is in the hospital. I need to go.”
“I’llgo with you.” He grabs his phone and follows me to the car. “Do you know whathappened?”
“Hesaid Colin tried to kill himself.”
“Christ.”There’s really nothing else to say. I shoot a quick text to Frannie, lettingher know why I left.
Ethanhops in the backseat before I’ve even pulled the car to a complete stop. He’stoo upset to even wonder why Landon is with me. His eyes are red and swollen.“Colin isn’t out to his parents or anyone,” he warns us as we make our way tohis boyfriend’s hospital room. “His parents think we’re friends.”
Iwonder if that has something to do with his attempt to take his own life. “I’llwait out here,” Landon says, taking a seat in the hall outside Colin’s room.
Athin pale woman who must be Colin’s mother sits beside the bed. “Hi Mrs.George. I heard and…wanted to come and see if he’s okay,” Ethan says.
Asmall smile graces her face. “He will be.”
“Hashe been awake?”
“Theygave him something to sedate him.”
“CanI get you anything?” I ask. “You must be exhausted.”
“Nothank you. I was just going to grab some coffee from the cafeteria. If youwouldn’t mind staying with him?”
“Ofcourse,” Ethan replies. I’m shocked at the hateful glare directed at her backas she leaves. Ethan takes her place beside the bed and holds Colin’s hand.“I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry, Colin, but I have to tell someone.” Colindoesn’t open his eyes. He’s really knocked out.
“Tellwhat, Ethan?”
Eyesfull of despair meet mine. “He made me swear not to say anything, but I shouldhave. He said no one would listen, but I should’ve told.”
“Ethan,this isn’t your fault. Tell me now.”
“He’sbeing abused, sexually abused. His stepdad…” Ethan sighs and shakes his head.“It’s been going on for years.”
Kneelingin front of Ethan, I ask softly, “Does his mother know?”
Ethansnorts. “Yes, she says she doesn’t believe him, but that’s bullshit. Shedoesn’t work. She’s dependent on her husband. I guess letting him screw yourkid is a small price to pay to keep him.”
Thatheartless bitch. “We need to let the doctors know. They’ll inform theauthorities.” Landon must’ve been right outside the door listening, because hewalks in and straight to Ethan.
“What’shis name?”
Ethangazes up at him. “What?”
“Theguy who’s hurting him. Name and address.” Ethan looks at him like he’s insane.“I can help your friend. Make sure this never happens to him again. Just giveme his name.”
