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Chapter 16

    I left Braxton's house and headed back to the station. The more and more this case goes on, the worse I feel for him. I'm shocked at how strong he's being. I know it's not easy and it's a challenge but he still hanging in there. Most people probably would have lost it by now or worse. While heading to the station, King texted. "Hey! I was just sitting here getting some work done when you ran across my mind. I just hate we couldn't have gotten as close as we wanted to. For the short time that I got to be with you, I really fell for you. I know me confessing all of this is wrong but I had to get it off my chest. A little part of me is hoping I somehow get the chance to be with you again. I know I may be wrong for hoping that but im just being honest. If you ever have a change of heart, you know where to find me. Hopefully ill hear from you soon", King. I have to be honest, I do miss King. I'm trying so hard to put my focus where it needs to be, which is on my career and my relationship. I really do love Chance and that's who I want to be with. If he could adjust some of his ways and be openminded more, we'll have the perfect relationship. I turn to other men because they offering me something that Chance not openminded enough to offer me. If he could be spontaneous, a little rough, and more adventurous; I wouldn't have to turn to other men.

I made it to the station and Braxton's car was sitting in the same spot. I slowly walked towards Braxton's car when I overheard him talking. "Lord, im trying so hard to stay strong but you're really testing my faith right now. I don't know how much more I handle. It's only so much a man can carry on his shoulders. I have enough on my shoulders for every man in this world. I just wish I could wake up from this nightmare and redo everything. This all my fault". When I heard Braxton say that, I interrupted him. You still here? Yeah, I really didn't have nowhere to go. I walked around the park for a minute but that didn't help anything. When the last time you ate anything? With everything im going through, eating is the last thing on my mind. Let's take a walk, I said. How is everything with you, Braxton asked? I can't really complain, thanks for asking. It's the less I could do, Braxton said. I hate to bring this up but I know I have to. Do you know a Lauran McNeil? Yeah, that's one of my brother's girlfriend. How you know her? I don't technically know her, I said. What you mean? I had been calling you for a while. You weren't answering so I went looking for you. I went to your house hoping you would be there. I noticed the door was open so I went in. I looked around for a minute, just looking at your family pictures. I thought I heard something upstairs, so I went to check it out. I didn't find anything but I did smell this strange odor. I looked in the closet and out fell a woman. Let me guess, Lauran? Yeah, I waited to my team to arrive before touching her. She must have found out about what happened and just couldn't take it. You think somebody may have did this to her? I highly doubt it, Braxton said. Why would her body be in the closet? That I don't know, you're the detective here. My team is looking more into it, hopefully it'll make sense to us all.

I had one of my team members check your sister's phone records. And? You weren't imagining things; a call was actually made from her phone to you. I knew I wasn't going crazy, Braxton said. Were you able to trace the call? No but they going to keep trying. So, whoever did this took her phone? It seems that way, you can't think of any enemies that any one of them might have had who could have done this? I don't remember none of them telling me about no enemies or any kind of issues with anybody. Whoever did this, took her phone, and wanted to send you a clear message. I really don't know who could have done this. Let me ask you something, I said. I heard you say, this is all your fault. What you meant by that? I've always been the protector of the family. It was always my job to make sure everybody was ok, everybody had what they needed, and ever wanted. Once my dad got sick, that's when everything really fell on my shoulders. I got so busy with work and trying to make sure everybody had what they needed, I forgot my number one job and that was to protect them. If I was there, none of that would have happened to them. That's what I meant by it's my fault. You can't blame yourself for this. How come I can't? It's not like you did this to them. Tell that to my heart and conscience. My dad always taught us; a man that doesn't protect his home, is a man that has failed. I didn't protect them when I needed to the most so, I failed. You have to stop doing this to yourself Braxton. It's not healthy at all. I just can't help it, Braxton said.

I know this might be a little weird but I need a favor. Anything, I said. Can I spend the night with you? The second that left Braxton's lips, I was confused as hell. Not just confused, I was slick turned on too. What you mean? I just hate to be alone really. Every time I try to close my eyes, I see all of them just lying in their own blood. I really just need somebody to help me through this, that's all. I was torn on what to say or what to do. I completely understand where he coming from. I wouldn't want to be left alone either if it was me. I wanted to say no but a part of me wanted to help him. Sure, I know this time is extremely difficult for you. I texted my mom, told her I needed a huge favor, and ill be there shortly. With us staying at my mom's will stop us from doing anything. Well, it'll stop me from doing anything with him. Plus, it'll seem straight innocent if Chance found out about it. My mom has a big heart so I know she'll be open and willing to help. Hey ma! Hey, who is this? This is Braxton, the guy's case I told you about. Ohhh, im so sorry to what happened to your family. You have been in my prayers since Kaydence told me about what happened. Thank you, I really appreciate it. Would you like something to drink? Some water would be fine. Ma, let me talk to you for a minute. He needs somewhere to stay. And you brought him here? He just wants to stay the night with me. What type of shit is that? Shhh! This man wants to spend the night with you and you bring him here to my house? He's having a hard time eating or sleeping. He just needs somebody to be here for him and im pretty much all he has at this point. I don't know about this, my mom said. You the one that told me to help him as much as I can. I'm doing everything I can to help his case but we not getting any luck. The less I could do is keep him company for the night. How you think Chance will feel about this? He won't be too open to it BUT he knows im doing the best I can to help this man. Before you completely shoot me down, just talk to him. I know with your wisdom, he'll feel better. Fine, I will talk to him.

Here is your water, my mom said. Thank you, you have a beautiful home. Thank you! You are shaking, my mom said while touching Braxton's hand. When the last time you eaten something? It's been a few days. Oh nooo! We not having none of that, my mom said. I'm going to make you a nice meal, you going to eat it all, and relax. You don't have to do that, Braxton said. Yes, I do. I can't and I won't let you go another minute without eating. You just sit right there and ill be back. Thank you, I mouthed to my mom. Wow, Braxton said. What? I see where you get your beauty from. Thank you! You didn't have to bring me here. Yes, I did. I know she's going to make sure you eat and you not beating yourself up. This you, Braxton said while pointing at a picture of me. Yes, that's me. Awww, you were so cute. You say that like im not cute no more. If you weren't I wouldn't be crushing on you the way I do. Right after Braxton said that, my mom walked in. Here you go, my mom said while putting the plate down. I warmed you some smothered pork chops, homemade mash potatoes, fresh green beans, butter rolls, and some sweet-sweet tea. Everything looks so good. And you're going to eat it all. While Braxton was eating, I went in the other room and called Chance. I know I have to tell him. I'm sure he won't be mad or nothing.

Hey baby! Hey you! How is the project coming? We almost done, how is the case coming? The girl I found in the closet was one of his brother's girlfriend. Wow! We still trying to figure out why she was in the closet. Did you ever find him? Yeah, I had Blake trace his phone. He was still sitting at the police station. What? Yeah, he been there all day. He really losing it. I'm sure he is, Chance said. I brought him here to my mom's house. He wasn't eating or sleeping. Whenever he closes his eyes, he sees his family lying in their own blood. Damn, I can't imagine how that feels. He didn't want to be alone so I brought him here. I knew my mom was the right person he needed to talk to. I'm glad you doing everything you can to help him. I just wanted to let you know he was here. Why? I don't know, I felt some kind of way about not telling you. Plus, my mom was on the fence about it. It's nothing to really tell. I mean, you just doing what you can do to help him. I can't say who can and can't stay at your mom's house. I knew you would be understanding, I said. Of course, im always understanding. When you coming home? Hopefully ill be done within a few hours and im headed back home by the morning. I hope so too, I hate when you do these out of town projects. I hate it too but you know how it goes. Yeah, im not tripping. I'll let you finish up, I said. Ok, I love you. I love you too.