“Yeah, sure,” I nodded. Still dazed, I thanked him and then walked out. I stood on the sidewalk for a good five minutes, trying to get my head together. I clasped my hands behind my neck. What the hell did I do now? I walked back to my car, climbed inside and drove to Alex's.
He was not going to believe this. I was struggling to believe it myself.
#
I pulled up outside Alex's house, surprised to see his car in the driveway. He should’ve been at work, which was why I hadn't bothered to call him. He would've insisted on coming home, and there was nothing he could do. There was nothing either of us could do.
I walked up to the front door and knocked, loudly. I had a key, but always made a point of knocking if he was home. I'd learnt that lesson early on, after I’d walked in on something I could never erase from my mind. Alex opened the door within seconds.
“Jack.” I swear I saw his face drop.
“Something wrong?” I asked dryly. “And on the subject of wrong, why aren't you at work?”
“Something came up. Why are you here?” he asked.
My eyes narrowed as he looked at me uneasily.
“Alex. What's going on?” I asked sternly, in my best “I'm your older brother” voice. He sighed and stepped aside. I walked in, glancing back, still trying to work out what the hell was up.
I stopped in my tracks when I saw Rose sitting on his sofa. Well, that explained that.
Wow. I didn't think he actually had the balls to actually make a move. Especially after the talk we had.
Don’t assume the worst, there has to be an explanation.
Rose’s eyes widened when she saw me. “Jack,” she muttered, lowering her glance.
“Hey Rose,” I said cheerfully. I looked from her to Alex, and forced a laugh. “Guess I should have called, hey? Looks like I've interrupted . . .” My eyes fell on her bandaged wrist, words failing me. I searched her face for something, anything that would ease the pain forming in my chest.
“Jack—” Alex began.
“No.” Rose cut in. Both Alex and I looked at her in surprise. “Let me talk. I need to tell him.”
“Are you sure?” Alex asked gently. She nodded.
“I'll head out for a minute. I'll have my phone if either of you need me.”
I waited for Alex to leave, standing there in the entrance with my hands shoved into my pockets. Shit, this felt weird. I didn't know what to do. Did I stand here, or go over there? Maybe I should pull up one of the chairs from the kitchen table. I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.
“You can sit next to me, you know,” she said shyly. “I promise my crazy isn't contagious.”
I walked over to her, shaking my head. “I see what you did there.” I said, chuckling as I sat down. My body shifted toward
her. I looked at her closely, taking in her heavy eyelids, her hollow cheeks, and her pale skin. “What happened, Rose?” I asked softly.
Her fingers trembled as she took a deep breath. “Jack, there is so much you don't know about me,” she began. She was shaking. I put my arm around her, to try and comfort her. She relaxed at my touch.
“I'll start with the reason I was admitted to Belton in the first place. Since I was a child, I've had depression and anxiety really severely. It's more than that, though. I get into such a bad frame of mind that I—I . . .” she paused.
“It's okay, Rose,” I whispered, pulling her into my arms.
She began to cry.
“I need to get this out,” she whispered. “I went to Belton because my parents didn't know what else to do with me. Another failed suicide attempt, and they decided that was it. They'd had enough.” A fresh round of tears streamed down her cheeks.
Tilting her head toward me, I kissed her forehead. I just wanted to take away her pain so badly. Seeing her so upset was tearing me up inside.
“And last night, you tried again?” I asked gently, not wanting her to have to say it. She nodded her head, her right hand curling around mine. My fingers stroked her skin, a lump forming in my throat as I ran over the jagged scar.