Never Doubt Me: Judge Me Not #2(70)

She turns to face me, and then touches my arm. “I remember.”

I start to drag my hand through my hair again, but she reaches up and lowers my hand back down to my side.

“He left it here, Kay,” I say urgently. “I found the sketch in his room this morning.”

“Maybe he just wants you to have it,” she suggests as she laces our fingers together.

“I think there’s more to it than that.”

When Kay frowns, perplexed, I sigh. And then I tell her about the note that was attached to the sketch.

“That is odd,” she agrees, her voice conveying her concern. “I wonder why Will would write a note like that.”

“I don’t know, but it sounds foreboding. I think I need to talk to Jared. After all, we never did find out why he and Will stopped at Kyle’s place. And I have a feeling it has something to do with why Will wrote that note—and left it with his sketch.”

“I can go with you, if you want,” Kay offers.

Since I’d certainly rather do this with her by my side than alone, I say, “Absolutely. Let’s head over to his house after work.”

“Sound good.” She smiles up at me reassuringly. “Everything will be all right, Chase. Try not to worry too much. I bet there’s a harmless explanation.”

I know she’s trying to make me feel better, and I appreciate it. A sudden wave of absolute gratitude that Kay is always standing by my f*cked-up ass washes over me.

I encircle her in my arms, lower my head, and mumble against her neck, “Thank you for doing this with me. I was on my way over to Jared’s this morning, but Father Maridale called about that broken pipe.” I sigh. “It’s probably better if you’re with me when I talk to Jared. You keep me solid.” After a pause, I whisper, “What would I do without you, baby?”

“Chase, I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.” Kay tightens her arms around my waist. “I promise.”

I know her words are spoken with truth and love. And I want her with me always, but not if it ever poses a liability for her. I long to let myself go and lean on Kay, and I do a little bit of that right now, but at the same time, I remind myself that I can never put her in any situation that might turn out to be dangerous. Kay’s well-being will always top my own emotional needs.

We stand on the sidewalk, holding one another, until a few people pass and give us some odd looks. With a chuckle, I take a step back. We break apart and walk down to the diner.

I feel better already, just knowing I’ll (hopefully) have some answers soon.

But when Kay and I return to the church grounds following lunch, I suspect the answers to the questions I have regarding Will may come sooner than expected. Jared’s sister’s car—the bright-red Jaguar—is parked in the center of the church parking lot, standing out like a beacon.

“Wonder what she’s doing here,” Kay says, nodding to the flashy Jag.

“I don’t know, but Jared’s with her.” I point to where he’s seated in the passenger seat.

“Oh,” Kay says, “huh. Wonder what he wants?”

I don’t answer. Jared sees me in the parking lot and jumps out of the car. He rushes over, waving me down. “Hey, Chase… Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Fuck, this can’t be good. Sure, I want to talk to the kid. But if he’s here at Holy Trinity of his own volition, then it can only mean one thing—Will is in some serious trouble.

“We shouldn’t stand around out here,” Kay whispers two seconds before Jared reaches us. “Maybe we should go in the church or something.”

The urgency in her voice lets me know she’s as worried as I am about what Jared may have to say.

When Jared reaches us, he nods to Kay, greeting her quickly. He then turns his full attention to me. “I asked my sister to drive me over here, since my car is, uh, out of commission. I hate to bother you at work like this.” He glances around. “But it’s kind of important that I talk with you.”

“Is it about Will?” I ask, even though I’m already certain it is.

“Yeah.” Jared nods grimly. “It’s about Will.”

Kay again suggests we move the conversation to somewhere more private than the middle of the parking lot. I agree, as does Jared, so the four of us head to the church. As we step into the vestibule, the smell of burning candles and incense permeates the very muggy air. It’s a hot day, and inside the vestibule, it feels like it might be topping one hundred degrees.

Kay fans herself with her hand, while Jared swipes at the sweat beading on his brow.

I ignore the f*cking heat and get right to the point.

“So what’s going on with Will? It must be pretty f*cking important for you to make a special trip like this.”

“It is important.” Jared drops his gaze and stares down at the checkered linoleum floor. He takes a deep breath, like he’s calming himself in order to continue. Maybe he is.

“Anyway,” he says at last. “There’s something I need to tell you about the morning Will and I went to Kyle’s house, the day of the car accident.”

As if I’d forget that day.

“Okay,” I prompt when Jared goes quiet, “what do you need to tell me?”

I guess the tone of my voice is harsh. Kay moves closer to me and rubs her hand up and down my arm. It’s meant to be soothing, but nothing can calm me right now. I’m ready to f*cking explode, implode, something.