Absolution

28- Keep her safe

Brady POV

i'd been arrested before. many time actually

mostly petty things. drinking underage and in public. fighting.

they'd usually just keep me in a cell for the night, probably to scare me and my parents would come get me in the morning

this was different.

multiple police showing up at my house at 6am. banging down the door, screaming at me to cooperate.

as the cuffs went round, i caught a glimpse of my mums face. she was completely inconsolable. my brother and dad comforting her as i was escorted out the door. my dad shouting at me to not talk to them until i had a lawyer.

i wanted to hug her, tell her it's going to be okay. which was probably a lie

i'm not stupid. i know why im here. marcus would've gone to the police by now

when i finally got my one phone call, i seriously debated calling callie. i needed to tell her everything would be okay. to stay with landon or mason, and they will keep her safe

i wanted to tell her that this isn't her fault, because i know she will blame herself

i would do it 100 times over if it meant keeping her safe. and if i go to prison, i will accept it.

i had so much i wanted to tell her, but remembering my mums face from a few hours ago, i dialled her number.

"baby?" she spoke out after only a couple of rings

"hey, mom" i felt guilty. i hated putting this stress on her, after the last time, i tried so hard to be better for her.

"are you okay?" she asked, trying to keep her composure.

"mom, i'm fine. everything will be fine okay. i need you to trust me" i spoke softly

"what did you do?" she asked hesitantly

"it's a long story mom, listen. i need you to put grayson on" i asked quickly

"okay," she spoke through sniffs, "i love you so much. we're going to be here no matter what"

"i love you too mom"

"brady what the fuck?" grayson spat out instantly

"grayson, listen" i spoke quickly. "you remember that girl that you let stay at our house a while back? the short blonde one?"

"yeah, i think so? why?" he asked curiously

"her name is callie. i need you to give her a message." i froze for a second. "i need you to tell her, everything will be okay. to stay with mason or landon all the time. i will see her as soon as i can"

"what's going on?" grayson asked, "is this whole thing about her?"

"it's a long story bro, just please. do me this one thing." i squeezed my eyes shut tight. "i need you to look out for her"

when grayson didn't say anything, i continued

"she's not safe. and marcus is going to hurt her. i trust you more than anyone. just keep her safe"

he was quiet for a minute, before he spoke lowly

"of course."

"times up" the guard said to me aggressively.

"tell mom and dad i love them" was all i said before hanging the phone up harshly.

i was escorted back to my cell, where o sat on the bed, throwing my head into my hands in frustration.

as hours and hours went past, i couldn't get callie off my mind. i just wanted to hear her voice, see her smile, anything.

but i couldn't, and i didn't know what was going to happen, or how long it would be before i could see or talk to anyone.

i just had to sit, helpless.