The Summer We Found Us | BoyxBoy Romance (18+)

Chapter 7 | Tobias

This summer is the worst one of my life.

Growing up my Dad always managed to make my life a living hell but at least I had something to distract me and keep me from going home like soccer, friends, or school.

This time, I had nothing. Soccer was done since school was out. None of my "friends" would talk to me after what happened at the art showcase and Harry's phone. And to top it all off, I didn't get into any of the schools that I applied to.

So, I have nothing. I am nothing. I'm stuck at home with him and I have nothing to live for.

I have no one.

I sat in my car in the parking lot of my favorite park. It's the one near the river that passes through the whole town and ends up forming one of the Great Lakes.

It's a beautiful park and I've been sleeping here in my car for the past few months. I have to be careful not to get caught so I drive around super late and end up here early in the morning to catch a few hours of sleep.

I can't go home. Derrick has been extra bad lately. Drinking every day and night. Slamming things around the house. Calling me the worst names and forcing me to...

Bad boys need to be punished.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Lack of sleep and food has me delirious.

I've been showering at the school's gym and sneaking in the house for a change of clothes whenever I see Derrick's car not in the driveway but it's been tough.

I just don't know what to do. I can't do this forever and I have no job. I'm running out of my savings and he's already cut off my credit card. Soon, I'll have to go home and face him.

What if he hurts me badly this next time?

What if I can't walk away the same way after what he does to me next?

Ask for help.

No. I shook the thought away from my head. I've already tried that once.

Back when I was young, I asked my teacher if it was normal that my Dad spanked me when I did nothing wrong. She cried when she saw the bruises on my back and that landed a visit from CPS. Of course, because my Dad was a cop at the time, so he knew exactly what to say to get the blame put on me and I never heard or saw from CPS again.

I thought they'd help me. But instead, they didn't believe me and I wound up worse off than before.

He didn't feed me after that for a few days and locked me in my room without any food or water.

I begged to be let out. I soiled myself which resulted in me throwing up what little I had left in my stomach from the smell.

I was so cold, dirty, and tired. I was so alone and I wondered why he didn't just love me like other Daddies did.

Like Elijah's Dad did.

I wrapped my arms around my body. I sniffled as tears dripped down my cheeks. I remember the way Mr. Thorne and Elijah would care for me. The way they'd hold me and make me feel loved. Why didn't my own Dad love me the same way?

What did I do to deserve this? Why couldn't I just be the son he wanted? Why'd I have to be so bad?

I gripped the back of my hair and yanked on it as hard as I could.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why couldn't I just be better?

I looked at the waterfront. Would anyone care if I just disappeared? Maybe it'd be better if I just...