The Price Of Love

Chapter 37

Jay's POV

Once I finish making and eating a sandwich, I spot the next person I need to talk to.

Leo.

I spotted him sitting outside on the swing bench a few minutes ago, and I've been in the kitchen for the last half hour so he must have been out there a while.

Sliding the back door open, I step outside.

It's a bit chilly now that the sun is gone. It's now eleven p.m., but the garden is lit up by lamps all over the place.

I walk over to Leo, and take a seat on the bench beside him, not saying a word.

I take note of how he sits forward, and how his back never touches the back of the bench.

Issac did something to him. Hurt him bad enough for whatever reason. I want to find out why.

"How are you holding up?" I whisper although I don't expect an answer. So far, nobody wants to talk about it. "Why are you always trying to comfort people when you're going through the same thing?" Leo asks instead of answering me.

"It's my way of coping," I say honestly, not going into further detail. I stare at Leo, who keeps his eyes on the ground and his hands resting in his lap.

"Your hands are shaking," I say since he doesn't seem to even realise.

"Yeah," Leo mumbles. "Mine do that too sometimes," I tell him. I don't want him to think I'm judging him.

"Are you okay?" I then ask, and he turns his head just so I can see the scowl on his face. "I found out my brother- our brother fucking died yesterday. What do you think?" Leo mutters and turns back around.

As predicted, he doesn't want to talk about Owen. Not at all surprising. Like the others, I don't push. Instead, I changed the subject.

"You're hurt".

He tenses up immediately.

"You hide it well but I notice. Is your back okay?" I ask, and Leo drops his head, looking at his hands and staying silent.

"Leo?" I ask gently since I really need an answer. I need to know how badly he's hurt. Just then, Leo turns to me, and I study his face, taking in his bloodshot eyes spilling with tears and his quivering bottom lip. I frown. "Leo what happened?-"

Without any warning, Leo throws his arms around me. I waste no time hugging back, but as gently as I can, since I don't want to hurt him. It's nearly impossible.

"Leo-" I go to speak but stop when I hear him sob into my chest. My concern is growing by the second as I try to search my brain for what to do. Usually, I'd just hug him tighter, but I can't do that now obviously.

"Shh, you're okay" I whisper, moving my hand to the back of his head and gently combing my hands through his hair in an attempt to calm him, but he only cries harder.

"It hurts-.." He suddenly says. "What does?" "Everything!" Leo cries out, his voice cracking while his words come out muffled.

I don't say anything since there's nothing to say. Sometimes you need to just let it out.

Leo suddenly pushes me away and turns his back to me. I know he's trying to hide. I can see him wiping his cheeks roughly with his hand.

I place my hand on his shoulder gently, trying to get him to turn back around. "Hey- Hey it's okay to cry" I assure him, but he doesn't listen. Leo just shakes his head.

"He'll see, I can't-"

Without thinking, I grab his face in both my hands and force him to look at me. "Fuck him. You are allowed to cry. You are always- always allowed to cry" I tell him seriously, and he stares at me, staying quiet for a few seconds.