Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Davis calls after him.
Shit, what do I do? Stay with Davis or run after Law … “Lawson! Don’t do anything stupid.”
He ignores me and pushes his powerful legs harder.
“He’s not going where I think he’s going, right?” Davis asks, his voice small.
“Have you given the dojo your address? Or on any of the forms you had to fill out to go there?”
“I-I don’t think so.”
Okay, so he can’t go and commit an assault. That’s a good thing. “He’s probably gone to cool off.” I hope that’s what he’s doing. “Those are some serious injuries, Davis. You might have broken ribs or—”
“Honestly, it looks worse than it is. It barely even hurts.”
“We should take you to the hospital to be sure.”
“No.” He flinches back.
“You have to report this.”
Davis’s face pales. “You said you wouldn’t. You can’t make me.”
“And what’s your plan? Go back home where he could do it again? You came to the dojo because you have nowhere else to go. Why didn’t you go to your boyfriend’s—uh, non-boyfriend-make-out-buddy’s house?”
“He’s not out.”
“I’m guessing he’s not part of our union?”
“Can’t be if he’s closeted, can he?”
“You managed.” Disappointment crushes me. This program is supposed to help students, but the loopholes are blaringly obvious right now. Davis had to lie to get permission to get into the program. This other kid isn’t out, so he’s not a part of it. It’s great to have support when they need it, but when we make the kids jump through hoops to get it, of course not everyone is going to be on board.
Law reappears, still charging like a bull towards a matador. His head hangs low, and his hands are in his pockets. “I’m sorry I took off. I needed to calm down.” His voice is flat and unemotional, but he’s still agitated and riled up. He’s just able to hide it better now. “You need to report this.”
“And what? Have my dad arrested? Yeah, I’m sure he’ll let me back in the house then.”
“Where’s your mum?” I ask.
“At work.” Davis looks at his watch. “Although, she’ll be home by now.”
“And probably wondering where you are,” I say. “We need to call her.”
“We’ll do it from the station because this is getting reported,” Law says again.
“Law—” I start, but Davis cuts me off.
“I have nowhere else to go,” Davis says. “If I report him—”
Law steps forward and puts his hand on Davis’s shoulder. “I’ll be with you the whole time. Most likely, your dad will be slapped with a domestic violence order and told to stay away from you. What about your mum? Do you think she feels the same way as your dad about you being gay?”
“I don’t think so. I … I don’t know.”
“Anything would be better than getting another black eye. You need to report it, Davis. You can’t let this happen. You remember when Anders came to talk to you guys?”
Davis nods.
“Remember his story?”
Even I don’t know Anders’ story, but Davis does?
“That was different,” Davis says.
“Not really. A person who was supposed to love him attacked him, and the only reason he got that chance was because Anders ignored the warning signs. This is a big-ass warning sign, and you need to stand up for yourself before your dad takes it one step further.”
“He wouldn’t …” But Davis’s words die, because we all know we’ve seen this story before. We’ve heard similar stories in the news and on social media.
“We can’t take the chance,” I say softly. “Will you come with us to the police station?”
“You … you guys will be with me?”
“Of course,” Law says.
“Every step of the way,” I say. “And I know I said I wouldn’t tell the school, but—”
“They’re going to find out anyway because of the police report,” Law says. “So when that happens, just know that Mr. Garvey had nothing to do with it. He’s possibly one of the best guys I know, so you should have no trouble trusting him if you need someone.”
Davis’s gaze flits between us. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you two were fuck—”
“Davis,” I snap, but it’s good to see he isn’t completely lost to the events of tonight.
10
Lawson
My hands itch to do something.
Punch someone.
Strangle Davis’s dad.
I want to do what I should’ve done five years ago when I found Anders lying in a pool of his own blood.
Maybe that’s why my hands are itchy. The creepy, dirty feeling is back. I’m covered in Anders’ blood all over again, and it won’t wash off. I’m in my own personal Macbeth hell.
Reed sits beside me as we wait for Davis to give his statement. Because neither of us is his legal guardian, we couldn’t be present for the actual interview. They’ve called his mum, and she’s apparently on her way, but that doesn’t stop me from watching the clock, or my leg from bouncing.