Brothers

Chapter 6

Hardin's POV

The drive back to the apartment is silent. Tessa stares out the window, silent tears falling from her eyes.

I move my hand over to hers and take it. She doesn't jerk away.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you back there. I just — I was angry." I say.

"Who was on the phone that made you so mad?"

Always so nosey.

"My brother." I say softly.

"Smith? Why are you mad at smith?" She asks.

"Not Smith. Christian. I haven't spoken to him in like thirteen years." I close my eyes for a second, trying to push back the memories of that night.

"Oh." Tessa says. "What happened?"

"I don't really want to talk about it okay?" I look at her, begging her not to ask any further questions.

"Okay. We don't have to talk about it." She smiles at me. God I love her. She turns to face out the window and the rest of the drive is silent.

The voicemail replays over and over in my head,

A lots changed over the years and I'm just hoping you'll give me a chance. Call me? Talk soon hardin.

I'm just hoping you'll give me a chance.

Not a chance bro. I'll never forgive him for what he did to our family.

—

"No get away from me. Leave me alone." I scream, voice full of panic.

"Come here you little shit. Who you calling under there?" The mans sneers.

He grabs my foot and drags me out from under the table.

"Help Mummy. Mummy please." I scream.

"Mummy can't help you right now. Shes busy." The guy snickers.

My body shakes from fear. I should have stayed in my room. I shouldn't of came down here for the telephone.

The guys hand wraps around my arm and begins dragging me towards the living room.

In all the movement I realize something is wet on my leg. I look down.

Fuck I peed. I peed my pants you gotta be kidding me.

"Little shits so scared he pissed his pants Ronnie." Another guy laughs, pointing at me. Asshole.

I make eyes on my mom, tears coming down her eyes.

"Just take what ever you want. Please just leave us alone. Christian isn't here. I haven't seen him in months." My mom begs.

"Your son owes me a lot of money. He couldn't pay for his supply so he begged me for a loan.

Next thing I know he's no where to be found. Where do you think I'm supposed to get that money now?" The guy releases his grip on my arm and shoves me to the ground.

"Like I said, take what you want. Just please leave us alone." My mom cries, I get up and run to my mom, who wraps her arms around me like a protection shield.

"Find somewhere to put them. Let's get this over with and get out of here." The guy says to his buddy.

The one guy, Ronnie was his name walks over and reaches out to grab my arm.