COMPLICATED

15. she's dead.

Alec is freaking out like all hell is breaking loose and I take it that something is totally a miss.

I honestly don’t know how to make him feel okay. I’ve never seen Alec this frustrated before. He is driving like a maniac and my heart jumps to my mouth every time he takes a sudden turn.

“you’re going to kill us.” I say when I can’t take it anymore.

He briefly glances at me his eyes laced with worry and he slows the car without saying a word.

“look,” I start “I know Ciara freaked you out and you really want to get there as quick as possible.” I reach for his free hand that is lying on his knee. “I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you whenever you need me.”

He is clutching the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles are turning white and I can’t help but worry.

We finally arrive at their home and he pulls into the driveway. The guys are already here. Their cars are parked already and I get out of the car after Alec and I watch as he practically runs inside.

The guys are all seated in the living room and Ciara jumps to her feet immediately she sees Alec and she hugs him as tear trickle down her cheek smearing the mascara allover her face.

She’s broken.

He’s broken.

I’ve never seen them this broken. Since I met them I’ve always branded them the strongest in the group.

Now I know everybody has a breaking point.
“she’s dead.” She blurts out and her voice breaks. “they killed her, Alec.”

“what?” I ask no one in particular but Sam is the only one who seems to have the strength to talk.

“Mrs. James was found dead in her office earlier today.” She says in a low tone.

I’m too numb to move.

“Damian.” Is all I say and I stagger to the couch where Curtis is seated. He pulls me in for a hug that I gladly sink into. “I’m so sorry.” I sob “this is all my fault.”
I won’t be able to forgive myself for coming into their lives, now my friend and the man I love are mourning their mother.

“no no, don’t blame yourself for what that moron did.” Curtis tries to make me stop blaming myself but I can’t help but feel like it’s my fault

“she is dead because of me.” I say in between sobs.
Curtis is reassuringly rubbing my back. His embrace is so welcoming and I deeply sink into it.

I break down even more when I glance at Alec who has stopped crying but his eyes are red and puffy from all the crying.
He is seating on the floor on a corner looking so vulnerable and he keeps pushing everyone away. Even Jake and Zac, his buddies.

I slowly stand and I walk to him, I’m hoping he doesn’t refuse to let me close to him.
I can’t look at him from a far and let him mourn alone while it’s all my fault. The least I can do is be there for him

I’m glad he does not push me away when I get to him.

I lower myself and I kneel beside him and pull him close to me in hug, “it’s going to be okay.” I whisper into his ear
He doesn’t say a thing instead he hugs me tight.

Everyone is silent and I let my eyes scan the room. Danny is seated next to Jake, she is leaning on his shoulder and his other hand is over the backrest of the couch. Ciara is lying on Taylor’s lap they are sitting on a two seater couch.

************

We are at James’ residence and the other guys just went home to get ready for the wage. It’s been a hectic day and I didn’t want to leave Alec and Ciara alone in the house.

Their dad is at the church already where the wage is going to take place and I can’t even imagine what he is feeling right now.
I’m in the living room seated on the couch I’m ready and I’m wearing Ciara’s black sleeveless dress that reaches my midthigh, my hair is in a high bun and I’m holding a glass of wine.

Honestly, I need something stronger. Something like whiskey. I’m waiting on Alec and Ciara to get ready,it took me quite some time to help Ciara decide on what she is going to where.

The house is silent and I can practically here the clock on the wall ticking.
Everything is rushing into my head and feel like I'm going to burst. Damian just killed the mother of my friends and he just got away with it. It makes me sick to see them mourning their mom and not being able to get justice for her.

My phone chimes for the second time and I reach for it at the table. The first message is from Danny and she is saying they are heading to the church, I scroll down and the next message is anonymous and I wouldn’t need anybody to tell me that its Damian.

It reads,
The next bullet will hit your boyfriend’s brain. You have until tomorrow to decide where I’ll be picking you from.

For a moment that shit scares me but I remember, he might be just bluffing he won’t do that. I mean he knows better not to do it.

I’ve been deep in my world that I didn’t hear Taylor walk in. “from the look on your face, I take it that Damian just contacted you.” He says lowering himself opposite me. He is in black tux and he look great in it.

“yeah, how did you know that?”

“I’ve been around such situations a couple of times that I can tell when I see one.” He makes himself comfortable. “so, what does he want this time? Bring the whole fucking government down?”

“He wants me to go back with him.”

“What if you don’t?” he asks

“Alec will be next person we burry.”

“You don’t believe that, do you?”

“well, a part of me does.” A tear I’ve been holding back rolls down my left cheek and I wipe it furiously. I’m a cry baby nowadays since I met the group they are my weakness and not to mention Alec just brought down the walls I built to keep me from being emotional. The thought of any of them being hurt just Makes my eyes water all the fucking time.

“hey, look at me.” Taylor comes closer. “Gabby, don’t let that asshole dictate your life. You hear me? I have some men in the office that are creating evidence against him with the help of Mr. Scott.”

“wait, isn’t Mr. Scott Curtis’ dad?”

“yeah, he is going to help a lot since he's  the most powerful attorney, he can pull some strings and make things happen.”

“Ooh, right.”
Remind me again how I landed myself such friends with wealthy and powerful parents.

“Baby.” Ciara says from the stairs and we both turn.
She is in a long black dress that reaches her ankle and her blonde hair is flowing flawlessly down her right shoulder, and she is wearing black heels

She looks nice.

“you look great babe.” Taylor voices my comment. He walks to her and he swiftly kisses her on the forehead.

“thanks.” she looks  at me before asking “Alec? Where is he?”

“he is not ready yet. You guys can go ahead I’ll check on him.”

“okay.” For the first time Ciara is silent and not being crazy I miss that side of her.
I walk to the Alec’s room as Taylor and Ciara walk to the door.

“Alec?!” I call while knocking at his door and he does not respond. “I’m coming in.” I say before pushing the door and what I see breaks my heart to pieces.