I’m going crazy with worry because I have no idea if Rachel is okay. We couldn’t wake her up. We couldn’t get her to open her eyes or do anything. Apart from the pulse at her neck, the faint beat of her heart, and the rise and fall of her chest, she was unresponsive.
I can’t begin to guess what could be wrong with her and I’ve been waiting here for over an hour. I followed the ambulance and came. I don’t even think her friends knew what happened.
Tonight was surely some kind of disaster. I didn’t prep for this part. not this, sitting in a hospital worrying over Rachel while Peter keeps me out.
Shit. It’s all fucking shit.
I draw in a breath and lift my head when I hear footsteps. I’ve been doing that at the slightest sound.
This time it’s him.
Peter comes around the corner, face like thunder looking like he’s ready to beat the crap out of me. it’s funny he looks younger today.
Not so wound up like he has a stick shoved up his ass.
“She’s awake,” he says.
“I want to see her,” I answer and stand up. I won’t sit down and let him talk down to me. No fucking way am I doing that.
“No. She’s awake, that’s all you get to know. Now fuck off and go home.” He’s definitely pissed.
“No, I’m not going home and you won’t fucking order me around like I’m some school boy.”
“That’s what you’re acting like isn’t it? You,” he say pointing at me. “You were with her weren’t you?”
It’s time for the truth. Time to spill secrets, time to talk and tell him the thing I set out to tell him.
“Yes.”
He sends a punch to my face and I take it. I’m mad as fuck for the whole night but I’m man enough and friend enough to take it because he’s just acting like any father would.
I take the other punch he gives me too and thank fuck he stops when he sees I’m not retaliating like he thought I would.
“You bastard. I told you to stay away from her,” he growls..
“You did, and I didn’t listen.”
He bares his teeth at me. “So, you had to make my little girl one of your women. Is that it? You took advantage of her and couldn’t keep your fucking dick in your pants when it came to my child.”
“Peter… the only thing I’m going to apologize for is that I kept it from you. nothing more. I’m not sorry I was with her. I’m not and whatever you think about me and how I might have treated her… your wrong.”
“You self-righteous prick. You think I’m wrong? How long have I known you? Too long. I’ve seen you with one slut after another. Charming women out of their dignity, going to sex clubs and only God fucking knows. Marie was the only decent person you’ve been with, and you couldn’t leave well enough alone when it came to Rachel.”
I just allow him to talk. He’s angry and there’s nothing more I can say to convince him I’m serious about Rachel. It’s clear I’ll be moving on over the weekend. This couldn’t have gone any worse.
“Peter… I love her.” That’s all I’m going to tell him. it makes him more mad though. he looks like he’s gearing up to strike me again but he balls his fists at his sides.
“You aren’t seeing her. I mean that. fight me and I’ll call the police.” He marches away and as I watch him go I watch our friendship fade away.
It’s never good when my doorbell rings so early in the morning.
Definitely not good when it rings so early on a Saturday morning. It’s just gone eight, not even the mail comes this early.
I opened the door and I can’t even bother to frown.
Marie stands on the porch with that same tentative expression I left her with last night.
“I’m sorry. This is bordering stalking now but I’m leaving town and I just wanted to stop and say goodbye.” She offers me a small smile.