by Kennedy Fox
“Because I’m hungry, and you’re constantly eating everything!” I shout. “Perhaps we need our own shelves, and you can buy your own food since some of us are children and don’t know how to share!”
His chuckling only angers me more. I wouldn’t be so damn pissed if I wasn’t starving with a bottle of wine swirling around in my empty stomach.
“Fuck it, I’m ordering food,” I mutter mostly to myself as I open the delivery app on my phone.
“Sweet. Where are you ordering from? I could eat.”
I slowly glare at him so hard I’m sure my eyes will pop out of my face. “Are you fucking kidding right now?”
Hunter holds up his hands. “Fine, geez. Someone needs to get laid.” He chuckles, lowering his arms.
I take a seat on the chair and try to ignore him. Scanning through my food options, I finally pick something and place my order. “Speaking of laid, my date and I were on that chair earlier.”
I leap up so fast, I nearly lose my balance. “You’re a goddamn pig.”
He’s sitting on the other side of the couch, and when I walk past, I smack his head and don’t even feel bad about it.
“What the hell was that for?” He rubs his head as if it actually hurt him.
“For having sex in the living room! Don’t you have any decency? What if Brandon or I walked in when you were naked and…” I shudder, unable to finish my sentence and walk down the hallway to my room.
“For the record, I wasn’t naked! Blow jobs don’t require nudity,” he shouts.
I want to scream, but instead, I slam my bedroom door shut once I’m inside. I can’t wait until Brandon and I move out, and if it’s not sometime in the very near future, I might actually choke Hunter in his sleep. Hell, knowing him, he’d probably think it was foreplay and enjoy it.
Thirty minutes later, I hear the doorbell and am relieved my food is finally here. I’m so hangry that if I don’t eat, Hunter will be on the receiving end of my wrath.
“Our dinner is here,” Hunter singsongs, rushing toward the door and beating me there.
“Fuck off.” I push him with my hip, and he chuckles, backing out of my way.
“C’mon, you’re the one who said we’re supposed to be sharing.” He flashes a childish grin, and I grimace.
“I wouldn’t share with you even if we were the last two people alive during an apocalypse,” I say, scowling and grabbing the door handle.
“You know then I’d just eat you,” he says matter-of-factly. “And not the pussy kind of eating either.”
Rolling my eyes, I mutter, “Go away.”
When I finally open the door, I’m stunned to see two police officers instead of a delivery driver.
“Hello, I’m Officer Fisher, and this is my partner, Officer Schmitz. We’re looking for the family of Brandon Locke.” His tone is flat, and the second he says my boyfriend’s name, my heart stops beating.
“We’re his roommates,” Hunter answers before I can get out any words. I hadn’t even realized he was standing behind me.
“I’m his girlfriend,” I finally manage to respond. “What’s wrong? Did something happen to him?”
The officer briefly looks down before making eye contact with me. “I’m sorry to inform you this miss, but Mr. Locke’s been in a serious motorcycle accident. The paramedics were unable to save him.”
Chapter Ten
Hunter
I catch Lennon before she falls to the floor. There’s a loud shrieking sound, and I realize it’s her, screaming and sobbing. I’m on my knees, holding her up when the officer’s words repeat in my head. They don’t seem real. They can’t be. I saw him this morning before work, and now he’s…gone.
My throat threatens to close, but I push back the feeling. With Lennon crumpling in my arms, I try to be strong for her as she falls apart.
“Lennon, breathe,” I tell her softly as she gasps for air. She’s going to pass out if she doesn’t.
After a moment, Lennon’s breathing evens out, and I’m able to look back at the two men.
“What happens now?” I ask him. “His parents? Do they know?”
“He’s been transported to the medical examiner’s office, and someone there will notify his next of kin. They’ll discuss with them what happens next.”
“Wait. I should tell them. They’re like family to me, and Brandon was their only child.”
The officers look at each other again, not arguing. “We can’t tell you not to call them, but the staff may have already done so. The family will need to properly ID him and make arrangements from there.”
I nod in understanding, but that’s not going to stop me. They give us their sincerest apologies and condolences before leaving.
Lennon’s buckled over with her hands to her face. I manage to shut the door, then I hook one arm under her knees, the other behind her back, and pick her up. She wraps her arms around me, burying her face in my neck as I carry her to the couch and carefully set her down.
“Lennon…” I whisper, brushing blond hair away from her face so I can look at her. “I need your phone to call them. Mine isn’t charged.”
After a few seconds, she leans to one side and reaches into her back pocket before handing it over. She unlocks it, and I start going through her contacts, looking for Mr. and Mrs. Locke’s number. “I’m going to talk to them now. They deserve to know right away,” I tell her softly. “Do you want to speak to them after?”
She shakes her head as tears continuously roll down her cheeks. “I can’t,” she chokes out.
“It’s okay. I’ll be right back.” I don’t want to leave her, but I also don’t want her to overhear the conversation, so I walk to my room where I can speak to them privately.
Everything inside me is numb, shocked, devastated. How could this happen? Why? My best friend. He’s too young to die. He had so many dreams and aspirations with a full life ahead of him. Why the hell did he have to go? Fuck.
I don’t know how to make this phone call. I’ve met his parents dozens of times at barbecues, celebrations, and have even attended family dinners. How the hell am I supposed to tell a mother her son is dead? I wish I could, at least, do this in person, but I can’t leave Lennon right now, and the medical examiner’s office could be calling them any minute.
Choking up, I try my best to get my shit together before I call. It’s late, and they’re going to know something’s wrong the moment they realize it’s me and I’m calling from Lennon’s phone. Just as I manage to push my feelings down so I can hit their number, the doorbell rings again.
Assuming it’s the delivery guy, I ignore it. He’ll get the hint and just leave the food after a minute. But then I hear shouting.
Lennon.
Shit.
Rushing out of my room, I sprint down the hallway and immediately wrap my arms around Lennon’s waist and pull her away. She’s screaming at the guy and saying he forgot her soda and that he’s a fucking moron. The poor man is frozen in place, and I don’t take the time to explain before grabbing a hysterical Lennon and shutting the door.
“Can you believe that guy?” she says the moment I set her down on her feet. She waves a hand in the air and scowls. “How hard is it to bring what I ordered? Idiot.”
My brows rise as I try to make eye contact with her. She’s muttering about her food order moments after she was a sobbing mess. I’m confused as hell right now.
“Lennon…” I tread carefully. “You’re in shock. Let’s go sit down.” I reach for her hand, but she yanks it away.
“You haven’t been nice to me since the day we met. No need to start now,” she hisses, taking her bag of food and going to the living room.
Holy fuck.
I brush a hand through my hair, trying to figure out what to do. Before it gets any later, I need to call his parents, so I do.
“Hello?” Brandon’s mother answers in a sleepy voice. “Lennon?”
“No, Mrs. Locke, it’s Hunter. I’m using her phone,” I explain
.
“Oh, Hunter! Hey, kiddo. Why are you calling so late?”
She doesn’t know that in about three seconds, my words will change her entire life. I don’t want to be the person to deliver the news no mother should ever have to hear, and it’s going to destroy me. Brandon was an amazing guy, and he came from incredible parents, something I’ve always been envious of. Neither deserves to be given this kind of bad news.
“It’s Brandon,” I start, inhaling deeply so I don’t break down before I get the words out. “He was in a motorcycle accident.”
I hear the rush of air she sucks in before she responds. “Hunter, please tell me my son is okay.” Her shaky voice rattles through me, and I hear the fear in her tone. “Please, Hunter,” she pleads, begging to hear positive news that I can’t deliver.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Locke. I wish I could.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I force back my tears. I’m trying to be strong for his mother right now, but I can’t handle hearing her heart-wrenching sobs.
I stay silent for a few minutes and listen to her wake her husband. She cries that her only son is gone. This moment between them is gut-wrenching as I hear Mr. Locke immediately choke up. I can’t find the strength to end the call, not wanting to leave them in this state.
Once she returns to the phone, I tell her that the examiner’s office will be contacting them to discuss the details.
“How’s Lennon doing?” she asks shortly after, and I can tell she’s trying to compose herself.
“I’m not sure. We found out less than an hour ago. I’ll take care of her, so please don’t worry.” Even if Lennon doesn’t want me around, I won’t let her push me away when I know she’ll need me just as much as I’ll need her. We won’t be able to get through this alone or by arguing with each other.
“I appreciate you telling me as soon as possible, Hunter,” she says between sniffling. “Once I hear from them, I’ll let you know what we find out.”
I can’t even fathom having to watch my best friend’s parents bury their child. This can’t be real.
“I’d appreciate that. I’m here to do whatever you guys need, okay? Don’t hesitate,” I tell her, meaning every word. It won’t be easy for any of us, but we need to stick together during this time.
Once the call ends, I head back to the living room and find Lennon curled up in a ball on the couch. She’s crying into a pillow. No words I can offer will make her feel better, so instead, I grab a blanket and cover her. Even though I should make some phone calls, I don’t. Instead, I get another pillow and blanket and lie on the floor next to the couch so I can be close to Lennon. Her cries are the only sound in the room, and I know tonight will be a sleepless night.
It’s after two in the morning when Lennon stops trembling, and her sobs quiet. I reach up for her hand and rub my thumb over her knuckles. The fact she doesn’t pull away or punch me in the face tells me she’s finally fallen asleep.
I’ve laid here for the past four hours with my mind in overdrive as I think back to when I first met Brandon, and I’m slapped with the reality of never seeing him again. Mason, Liam, Brandon, and I have been a foursome of friends since our freshman year of college, though I’d known Brandon since high school. Mason and Liam are from SoCal, but Brandon and I are both Sacramento born and raised. His parents became my family and always welcomed me with open arms. I didn’t just lose my best friend; I lost a brother.
At sunrise, I decide to get up and make a pot of coffee. Lord knows I’m gonna need it today. Hell, I should add a bottle of vodka to it too.
Unsure of where to start or what to do, I decide to text Hayden to see if he’s awake. Since he’s on the East Coast, he’s three hours ahead of me and should be available. I need to get with Mason and Liam too. More calls I don’t know how the hell to make.
“Hey, what’s up, bro?” Hayden answers with a smile in his voice after telling me he was free to chat. “You’re up early. Or a chick keep you up all night?” He chuckles at his own joke, and I wish I could laugh with him.
“It’s Brandon,” I simply respond. It comes out rougher than I intend, but I can’t hide the emotion in my voice. “He died in a motorcycle accident last night.”
Just saying the words aloud has my heart pounding harder, almost as if it’ll beat right out of my chest. My breathing quickens as the anxiety of what this really means and how my life will forever be changed hits me.
“Oh, Hunter. God. I’m so sorry,” Hayden softly replies. “Fuck, I don’t even know what to say. I can fly in this weekend if you need me to.”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I’m not even sure when the funeral is or any of the details yet. I had to tell his mom over the phone and hearing her break down nearly had me in tears,” I tell him, my voice cracking. I try to keep it together for Lennon’s sake because I know she’s going to need it, but I know I can talk to my brother about anything without judgment. “I can’t believe he’s really gone.”
Hayden stays on the phone with me for over thirty minutes, listening to me ramble and getting my juggled thoughts out of my head. He reminds me that he’s here for me, and if I need him close, he’ll fly home anytime. I appreciate him so much. Once again, he’s proven to be the only true relationship I have within our family.
After hanging up, I pour a cup of coffee and sit at the kitchen table. My mind’s too cluttered to really think about how I’m going to handle all this. We’d been so close, hung out all the time, especially on the weekends, but then things noticeably changed when Lennon moved in. His happiness was all I cared about, so I understood when he ditched our guy nights for date nights. It wasn’t as though I didn’t find other company to keep me busy.
I’m lost in my thoughts until I hear Lennon rustling in the living room. I walk over and see her dragging her feet down the hallway, then enter the bathroom. She slams the door shut with unnecessary force, and I head into the living room and see her phone’s still on the coffee table.
Remembering I need to get Brandon’s work number and figuring her sisters need to know too so they can be here for her just as much, I grab her phone and walk to the bathroom.
“Lennon,” I call, tapping my knuckles on the door. “What’s the code to your phone?”
She doesn’t answer, but a second later, she whips it open and stares at me with an unreadable expression. “For what?”
“I need Brandon’s boss’s number. You should call Maddie and Sophie too, but I can do that for you if you want,” I tell her.
Lennon narrows her eyes at me, her hair a wild mess. Her skin is blotchy, and her eyes are red from crying. I feel a strong desire to pull her close and hug her, and let her know it’s all going to be okay, but I don’t.
“It’s your number,” she states matter-of-factly, walking past me and down the hallway again.
“Huh?” I ask, thoroughly confused. She heads to the kitchen and pours coffee into a mug.
“6-6-6.” She spins around to face me with a deadpan expression.
“Lennon.” I step toward her, but she puts up a hand to stop me from coming any closer.
“Like I said,” she says with harsh emphasis, “you haven’t been nice to me in two years, so there’s no reason to start now. Give me my phone, and I’ll forward you the contact info. I can call my sisters.”
Lennon holds out her palm, and I reluctantly deposit her phone into it. I can’t even argue with her, especially now. I’ve been a grade A asshole to her, there’s no denying that, but she doesn’t understand the circumstances of why I had to be—why I had to push her away.
I walk away without responding, not wanting to say anything I’ll regret later. She’s not going to let me in easily, but regardless, she’ll need all the support she can get over the next few weeks, months, hell, maybe even years. We still live together, after all.
After taking a shower and getting dressed, I decide it’s time to do the inevitable and tell Mason and Liam. They’re probably both worki
ng, but I can’t let more time pass without letting them know.
Hunter: Brandon was in a motorcycle accident late last night. Can you two come over today?
I don’t want to tell them via text or over the phone, but I don’t really want to tell them in person either. Seeing their crushed faces will be hard.
Mason: Shit, man. He okay?
Liam: Told that dumbass he couldn’t ride for shit!
Hunter: Just come over, okay?
Mason: I can be there within the hour.
Liam: Same.
I swallow the tight knot in my throat and am already dreading the rest of this fucking nightmarish day.
By the time I make it back into the living room, I see Sophie and Maddie sitting on the couch with Lennon. No one is talking, but Lennon’s sisters sit next to her, holding her. I feel better knowing she’s with family and am glad they can give her some comfort.
I text my boss around seven to let him know I won’t be in, explain the current situation, and then think about Lennon’s job. She’s so dedicated, and I know there’s no way she’s going to be able to work in her emotional state. I hope she’s not stubborn and takes the time off she’s going to need to process everything. I call Brandon’s boss next and go through the same emotional roller coaster once again. He gives me his deepest apologies and asks me to inform them when and where the funeral will be held.
Speaking of which, I decide to call Mrs. Locke to see if anyone has contacted them yet.
“He’s really gone,” she says to me with uneven breaths after confirming with the medical examiner and telling me the details. “I don’t even know how to survive this.”
I do my best to tell her we’ll get through this together and that I’m here for whatever she needs. His parents shouldn’t plan his funeral alone, so I offer to meet with them tomorrow at the church to discuss the details.
