Page 5 of He Saved Me

“What’s going on?” Gio asks.

“Bro, it’s so fucked up.” My voice full is of the emotions that make me want to cry like a little bitch.

My heart hurts for Shorty.

The pain is too much to hold in.

I feel like I’m ready to explode.

“Josiah and I went to check on his mom.” Breathing out a heavy sigh before I continue, I shut my eyes. “He...” I pause, trying to keep my shit together. “His mom and dad are gone.” I open my eyes and look over to Donnie and Ash. “They’re dead.”

A lonely tear escapes from my eyes. I never cry. Not even when my Abuelita passed away.

“Their mom is dead. She’s fucking dead,” I croak.

I hate this feeling inside of me.

“What?” Donovan’s face is full of anguish.

Ash swallows. “Sadie’s mom is dead?”

I nod.

“Josiah killed his father.”

“The fuck?” Donovan cries out with his eyes wide staggering back with both hands on his head. “Where’s Josiah now?”

“He’s down at the station being questioned,” I answer glancing over at Gio bent over with his ass against the wall, breathing rapidly and deeply.

“Hey. I’ve been looking for you guys.” Tia walks over to us.

“What’s going on?” Her eyes bounce to each one of us.

“Tia.” I grip the back of her neck and pull her close to me. “Something bad happened tonight and I’m gonna need you to stay calm because Shorty is going to need you now more than ever. Alright?”

“Seb, what are—”

“Prometeme, Tia. Promise me you won’t lose your shit.”

“I promise.” She draws a cross over her heart, but I see the uneasiness in her eyes. Tia has never been good at hiding her emotions.

I take a deep breath and tell her the same story I told the guys.

Tia gasps, covering her mouth with her hand.

“No,” she whispers, her voice filled with agony. “No, please don’t tell me that’s true, Seb. Please don’t.”

Tia takes a few steps back until she smacks against Ash’s chest.

He rubs her arms up and down. She turns around and buries her head in his chest.

“Oh my god. What about Sade?” She turns to look back at me with wide eyes. “This is going to break her, Seb.” Her lips tremble as tears fall.

“We have no choice but to tell her.” I pull her into my arms, resting my head on top of hers. “She needs you to be strong for her. Let it all out now, and then get your shit together. The last thing she needs right now is trying to keep the both of you in one piece.” She nods against my chest.

Pulling her back, I tip her chin up with my finger. “You got this, ok?”

She nods, wiping her tears away. “Yeah, ok.”

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