Once inside, I lead Marcus to the kitchen and turn on the kettle.
“You want a hot drink? Coffee? Tea? Hot Chocolate?” Just saying the words hot chocolate sends a pang to my heart. Ayden and I drank hot chocolate in the rooftop garden of his dad’s apartment building right before I gave him my virginity.
“Hot chocolate would be great, thanks.” Taking a seat at the kitchen bench, Marcus looks around the room as I make the hot drinks. Now that I can see him better under the warm lighting, I notice his normally tanned skin looks a little pale. I can’t really talk, though. My skin is more pallid than it’s ever been.
It’s a little weird to have Marcus here again. He stopped coming over a few years ago, which is apparently when he started crushing on me. That’s what Ayden told me, anyway. Marcus has never said anything to me about it, and if I’m being honest, I’d be happy for him to keep that secret to himself. I love him in a friendly way, nothing more.
Handing Marcus his drink, I lean against the opposite bench to take a sip of the hot sweet goodness and watch as Marcus does the same, looking everywhere but at me.
“How did you know I was back?”
Marcus startles at my question. I guess he was hoping to avoid my interrogation. Ha! As if I am going to be that easy on him!
Marcus keeps his eyes locked on mine for a few moments while the wheels noticeably turn in his head.
“The truth is always a good place to start, Marcus.” I verbally nudge, raising a blonde brow at him.
“I should have known you wouldn’t make this easy for me.” He shakes his head and grins, looking down at his hot drink, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
“Exactly. Now spill.”
“Fine.” Marcus huffs, “Ayden called me on Saturday night freaking out because you had gone. He told me what happened with that Muz guy and the drugs, or at least what he could remember about it. He said he lost his shit at you when he was coming down from his high. Crashing, I believe was the word he used. He said you probably wouldn’t have anywhere to go because Abbey’s parents seem to have an issue with you. He was worried. I called Abbey, and she said she hadn’t heard from you, so I got my sister to do a drive-by that night, and the lights were on.” He shrugs, “I figured it was you here.”
It hurts to hear him speak about Ayden. Why hadn’t Ayden just called me himself? I guess he was happy that I’d left, but the caring side of him just wanted to make sure I had somewhere safe to go. Why hadn’t Abbey called me either? I know her parents are blocking me from calling her, but she could have called me. I’ve tried reaching her by phone daily and sent her numerous SnapChats that have remained unanswered. She’s left me on delivered since she called me back on Saturday.
Fucking Saturday. Everything went to hell that day!
“I’m sorry, Lexi. As if you didn’t already have enough to deal with before, then Ayden’s past caught up with the both of you.”
The consuming rage I’ve felt since leaving Melbourne bubbles near the surface, fighting to break free. My hand twitches with the need to grab the baseball bat and start swinging it at the walls and furniture. I’ve been tempted daily to take my anger out on this house but have managed to hold back… just.
“You’re not eighteen, Marcus. How did you drive here?” I deflect from talking about Ayden, “Or the others for that fact. How did they drive here? You are all seventeen.”
Marcus shrugs, “We’ve been waiting until it’s safe enough to take the cars without getting caught. Just after dark or after the olds go to bed seems to be the best time. The streets are quiet, and no cops are patrolling at that time of night.”
“Are you shitting me? You stole your parent’s cars and drove them here without a licence?”
“Well, the car I drove is my sister’s shit box she leaves at home while she’s in the city. I’m sure if I told her what’s going on, she would let me take it.”
“Marcus, that’s not the point!”
He laughs, “I guess not.”
“And the others all did the same?” My voice is pitched high in disbelief.
“Yep.” Marcus nods.
“You guys are a pack of idiots!” I put my mug down on the counter, no longer interested in finishing it. Food hasn’t been a high priority lately, anyway.
“Probably, but we mean well, Lex.” He shrugs.
“I guess. Did Ayden ask you to do this? To watch me?” Saying his name crushes my chest. The pain is unlike anything I’ve felt before. It’s consuming and never-ending.
Marcus shifts nervously on the chair and puts his drink aside too. “Not exactly. He just wanted to know you were somewhere safe. I didn’t tell him you were back at home by yourself. He kinda needs to sort his own shit out, and if he knew you were alone, he would flip.”
“So, what did you tell him?”
“Not much, actually. I just sent him a text saying that you were safe, and told him to do what he needs to, so he can get better.”
“Whose idea was it to sit outside my house?” I ask, shooting Marcus a brief glare.
“Mine, I guess.” He shrugs again as if it’s no big deal.
“So, you thought it would be better to sit out on the street, like a
