Painted On My Heart

“Is Dad at Baylor?”

“Yes. Honey, I love you so much. I’m so sorry for everything.” Any other time, he’d need to hear those words, but not right now.

“I need to go, Mom. Call Dad. I’m on my way. I have a good idea what’s going on.”

There was silence between them. He didn’t want to hang up with her, but he needed to find out what had happened.

“Do you think it’s John?” she asked cautiously.

“Probably.”

“Let me call your father.” That realization seemed to settle her down to just sniffles.

“I’m going there now. If it’s him, I need to let his parents know.”

“Kellus, I’m so sorry, honey.” She was crying again. “I’m so glad it wasn’t you.”

Kellus hung up the phone. Anger shadowed Arik’s handsome face as he pivoted on his heels to take off in the direction of the closet while he recounted what he’d been told. “What the hell was he thinking? The stupid motherfucker used your van to crash into your studio tonight. He couldn’t have been there more than minutes, but there’s significant damage, and the pack of guys he was with took the van. I can’t imagine what they would have done to you had you been home.”

Arik came back through the bedroom, wearing his robe. Kellus finally managed to get out of bed. His body felt like lead and his brain had gone on hiatus. He had no idea what move he should make next. His stomach roiled as he made his way to the closet, dressing quickly even though he dreaded having to leave the warmth and safety of Arik’s bed to deal with all this. He was in the bathroom, running his fingers through his hair when Arik filled the doorway.

“I need to go up there,” he said quietly, catching Arik’s gaze in the mirror. His hands were shaking as he squirted the toothpaste on his toothbrush and took the minute to brush his teeth.

“I’ll drive you,” Arik offered.

He stopped brushing his teeth and shook his head, not wanting Arik to have to deal with his shit. “You don’t have—”

“I’m driving you.” Arik cut him off.

He didn’t know if it was the hard tone or the fierce demand, but he let the toothbrush drop into the sink and rinsed his mouth, then scrubbed his face with his wet hands. He reached for a towel and dried his face. So many things rushed through his head as he stood there absorbing this latest blow.

“It’s never going to end. He’s never gonna leave me alone.” Kellus tried to keep his composure, but he couldn’t, and like he’d come to expect, Arik was there, pulling him into his arms, comforting him.

“Babe, this is too much. We’ve got to get you moved out of that house.” Arik’s voice was calm and gentle as he spoke into his hair.

Kellus pulled away, looking Arik straight in the eye, the tears that had been threatening to form did.

“What if he seriously hurt someone?” Kellus’s voice shuddered as he said his next thought aloud. “If the sheriff went to my parents’ house in the middle of the night, does that mean John didn’t make it?”

He stared at Arik, reading on his face what his guy didn’t say aloud. John deserved whatever he got, even if he was one of the fatalities his brother had mentioned. Kellus steeled his spine and let out a pent-up breath before pulling away, going back to the sink for a hairbrush.

“You don’t need to drive me. I’ll be all right.”

“I’m driving,” Arik said in that it’s final tone. He’d never used that voice with Kellus, but he’d heard it over and over when Arik dealt with his business.

He didn’t say another word while gathering his phone and wallet. He waited by the front door. Arik came down the hall, walking briskly toward him, wearing blue jeans, a sweatshirt, and ball cap. Even under all the heavy weight of the situation, he stole Kellus’s breath with just how handsome he always looked. Arik’s anger oozed off him in waves as he handed him his jacket and opened the door. The initial anger Kellus felt had been shoved behind his anxiety. So many scenarios played out in his head. He needed to calm down and find out the facts. Even though he’d told Arik he didn’t have to go with him, he was thankful Arik chose to be by his side.

Arik walked out first. Kellus followed a few steps behind the entire way to the car. Only his father’s phone call had penetrated the silence inside the car during the short drive to the hospital. He put the cell phone on speaker for Arik to hear.

“Hello,” Kellus answered. A gasp sounded, then a grunt. His father, Paul, was crying. “Is it John?”

“Yes, son, I think so. He’s in really bad shape.” His father’s voice broke as he spoke.