The Secrets That Free Us

Chapter 7

Hunter's POV

Watching Grace walk back into her house, the ache in my heart only intensifies.

She's different from how I remember, more guarded, colder and thinner than the last time I seen her.

I watch as she closes the door behind her, her blonde hair the last thing I see before I'm stood staring at her front door like a fucking creep lurking in the shadows.

I don't really know what I expected to be honest. I probably would have caved my fucking head in if I was her so I suppose I'm lucky Grace has a better temper than me.

I knew coming back was going to be hard, but when Cole came to see me I knew I had to at least try.

6 hours ago

I stare at the wall beside my  bed and sigh. A lone photo of me and Grace is stuck to my plain white walls.

Everything in this place is plain, although I suppose that's how detention centers are supposed to be. They aren't exactly a holiday camp.

I've been here for 22 months now. I was allowed early release last week but since I had no where to go I decided to stay here until I figure my shit out.

That isn't entirely true. I could go home. I know My Mom would be thrilled if I did but it isn't her I'm worried about. I'm worried about the blonde haired green eyed angel who probably hates my guts right about now.

I knew what I was doing when I left. Grace and I were each others firsts. Then everything got fucked up and I lost my shit. That's when I ended up here, it was either this place or a jail cell and even I'm not stupid enough to ruin my whole future. My Mom told everyone I moved schools, hence why I decided to stay here until I'm ready to leave or they kick me out due to lack of space.

Well, I tell myself that's why I stay. But really it's because I'm too much of a fucking coward to face rejection from the one person who ever looked past my shitty attitude and seen the real me.

Detention centers are more like a behavioral rehabilitation. I had to see a counselor, and go to these stupid fucking support groups. But still, it meant I would walk out of here and be able to start over eventually. That is if I ever got my shit together and figured out what it is I want to do.

"YO, Adams. Some dude here to see you." Cade, one of the guys on my wing tells me. I sit up from my basic metal frame bed and resist the urge to groan at my sore muscles. I sure as shit miss having a comfortable bed.

When I make my way into the common room I feel my eyebrows raise as I see someone I wasn't expecting to make an appearance.

"Cole." I say in way of greeting.

He gives me a small smile and we do the bro hug, "Hey man" he says and if the fact he drove over 100 miles to come and see me didn't give away the fact that something was wrong then his voice and appearance definitely did.

"You look like shit dude." I tell him.

He lets out a slight sound of amusement although I wouldn't necessarily call it laughter, "It's comments like that why I always thought you were a little shit head and no good for my sister."

Cole never was overly fond of me before everything went down. I think I at least have his respect now if nothing else.

"Seriously though, what's up? or did you just miss my pretty face?" I ask with a cocky grin knowing it will irk him.

He rolls his eyes in a manor that reminds me of his sister and we move over to a small round table in the corner of the room, away from prying ears.

Cole takes a deep breath as he sits in front of me, likely trying to workout how to say whatever he's trying to spit out.

"You need to come home, man."  He eventually decides on, desperation clear in his voice.

I wait a moment allowing him to expand on why he of all people wants me home, when it's clear he isn't going to add anything else I don't really know what to say so I decide to do what I do best, "Aww babe. I know I've basically been in a low key juvie for 2 years and I'm flattered and all  but I don't swing that way. Besides it would never work, I'm more into your sister than you."

"For fuck sake Hunter will you cut the shit. This is about my sister." He tells me clearly losing his patience with my smart ass mouth.

As soon as he says it's about Grace though the smug grin is wiped from my face and he knows he has my attention as I sit up in my seat patiently waiting for him to get to the fucking point.

"She needs you." He says simply and turns his gaze to stare out of the window before continuing, "I thought I could help her yano, do it on my own. But I fucked up man. Big time. I need to fix this for her. I need her to be okay." He turns to look at me again, sincerity shining in his eyes. "And I think you're the best chance she has at being okay."

His words shock me. Sure everyone in mine and Grace's family could probably tell that I was head over heels for her, and Cole better than anyone knew what I would do for her. But me being her best chance at being okay? "Look, I don't know what's going on, but I guarantee you I am the last person Grace wants right now. I haven't even spoke to her in god knows how long." I tell him, although that's a lie. I could probably guess down to the minute just how long it's been since I spoke to the ray of light in my life.

I send her gifts on birthdays and Christmas but I've never actually found the words to say to her so they all get signed the same way, "All my love - H x"

Cole tilts his head back in a frustrated manor before sitting forward in his seat and looking me straight in the eye, determination shining through, "Who are you punishing by staying here? Yourself? Your Mom? Grace? Cut the shit and come home Hunter, you've wasted enough of your life punishing yourself for something most would praise you for and I know for a fact you can leave whenever you want now because I heard my Mom and yours talking about it."

I look at him in disbelief, "You think I'm here punishing myself for that piece of shit? I would do it again in a fucking heartbeat no questions asked." I take a second as I feel my emotions starting to get the best of me. "Look I'm sorry you wasted your time dude. And I'm even more sorry that Grace isn't doing so good right now but she hates me for leaving. She even sent me a text not long after I got here telling me that. So just do us both a favor and go home. Okay?"

I stand from my seat and turn to leave but his next words still me. "She tried to kill herself."

I feel the blood in my veins turn to ice and every hair on my body stands as I turn back around to face him, "What?" I choke out.

"Last month. She was supposed to be at our nephews christening. When she didn't show Mia went to check on her and found her passed out lying in her own blood after she slit her own fucking wrists." I can hear the pain in his words and the tears pooling in his eyes as he obviously relives the soul destroying memory.

I can feel my own tears burning and the lump in my throat indicates that I'm probably best off not speaking right now. So I turn and walk away leaving Cole with a no doubt pissed off look on his face.

"She needs you Hunter" He yells before I'm back in the corridor making my way to my room before I break down and allow my self to feel the pain of knowing I almost lost the only girl I ever loved.

So, after smashing my fist into my bedroom wall a few times I packed my shit, signed my release papers, jumped on the first bus back and sat on Grace's doorstep, once her Mom told me she wasn't in, until she showed up before even telling my Mom that I'm home.