All Roads Lead Home (Book #1)

Chapter 14

The outside lights were still on by the time I got back to the house. I walk in the door expecting to receive another blow from Mike, but it never came. He was passed out on the couch with some more beer bottles on the floor. 

I close the door behind me and slip my shoes off, trying to be as quiet as possible. The door clicks and I see Mike shift on the couch, but he doesn't wake up. I pick my shoes up and walk quietly through the front hallway and up the stairs to my room. 

I drop my shoes on the floor next to my desk and lay down on the bed. 

'Are you still awake? I really need to talk to you again.'

'Wanna call me?'

'Definitely.'

I hit the phone icon next to Jay's name for the second time today. His phone rings twice before he answers. 

"Hey. Just give me a second. Dad's sleeping," he says as I hear gravel crunching under his feet. He closes his truck door.

"Sorry had to get out of the house so I didn't wake dad up. What's wrong?"

"I hate it here. I need to get out. I can't take it anymore," I say as I begin to cry, the reality of everything from today finally sinking in. 

"What happened? I thought everything was going fine until school today?" 

"It was fine until he hit me," I say as I swipe at my tears angrily. I wince as I touch the gash under my eye.

"He what?!? I'm gonna kill him!" Jay yells as he starts his truck. "I'm leaving right now. I'll be there in..."

"Jay don't drive anywhere right now, please? You're angry and you never think clearly when you're angry," I try to reason with him.

"But..."

"I'm alright right now. I'm locked in my room and he's passed out on the couch. He can't get to me right now. Just leave tomorrow morning after you've calmed down a little, okay?" 

"Krys, I don't think I'll be much calmer tomorrow morning, even if I sleep," he argues. 

"Promise me you won't leave until tomorrow morning Jay."

"Krys..."

"Promise me," I demand.

"I promise. I won't leave until tomorrow morning. Cross my heart," he says with a defeated sigh. 

"Thank you," I say as I wipe more tears from my face.

"You're welcome. You do know I'm not happy you're making me wait though, right?" 

"I know," I say as I walk into the bathroom. "But I'm happy your waiting and that's all that matters, right," I say with a chuckle. 

Jay grumbles his agreement on the other end as I start the shower. A wave of nausea sweeps over me again. I drop to my knees in front of the toilet while the phone slips to the floor.

After I finish puking I remember Jay was still on the phone when it fell and rush to pick it back up. 

"Jay, I'm so sorry you had to hear that," I say as I flush the toilet. 

"That's fine. Are you okay though? You've been sick..."

"I'm fine," I say to get him off the topic. "I'm gonna get in the tub and then go to bed. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"Oh, okay. See you tomorrow."

"Hey Jay?"

"Yeah?" 

"I love you."

Jay chuckles. "I love you too."