“Can you believe that guy?” she says the moment I set her down on her feet. She waves a hand in the air and scowls. “How hard is it to bring what I ordered? Idiot.”
My brows rise as I try to make eye contact with her. She’s muttering about her food order moments after she was a sobbing mess. I’m confused as hell right now.
“Lennon…” I tread carefully. “You’re in shock. Let’s go sit down.” I reach for her hand, but she yanks it away.
“You haven’t been nice to me since the day we met. No need to start now,” she hisses, taking her bag of food and going to the living room.
Holy fuck.
I brush a hand through my hair, trying to figure out what to do. Before it gets any later, I need to call his parents, so I do.
“Hello?” Brandon’s mother answers in a sleepy voice. “Lennon?”
“No, Mrs. Locke, it’s Hunter. I’m using her phone,” I explain.
“Oh, Hunter! Hey, kiddo. Why are you calling so late?”
She doesn’t know that in about three seconds, my words will change her entire life. I don’t want to be the person to deliver the news no mother should ever have to hear, and it’s going to destroy me. Brandon was an amazing guy, and he came from incredible parents, something I’ve always been envious of. Neither deserves to be given this kind of bad news.
“It’s Brandon,” I start, inhaling deeply so I don’t break down before I get the words out. “He was in a motorcycle accident.”
I hear the rush of air she sucks in before she responds. “Hunter, please tell me my son is okay.” Her shaky voice rattles through me, and I hear the fear in her tone. “Please, Hunter,” she pleads, begging to hear positive news that I can’t deliver.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Locke. I wish I could.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I force back my tears. I’m trying to be strong for his mother right now, but I can’t handle hearing her heart-wrenching sobs.
I stay silent for a few minutes and listen to her wake her husband. She cries that her only son is gone. This moment between them is gut-wrenching as I hear Mr. Locke immediately choke up. I can’t find the strength to end the call, not wanting to leave them in this state.
Once she returns to the phone, I tell her that the examiner’s office will be contacting them to discuss the details.
“How’s Lennon doing?” she asks shortly after, and I can tell she’s trying to compose herself.
“I’m not sure. We found out less than an hour ago. I’ll take care of her, so please don’t worry.” Even if Lennon doesn’t want me around, I won’t let her push me away when I know she’ll need me just as much as I’ll need her. We won’t be able to get through this alone or by arguing with each other.
“I appreciate you telling me as soon as possible, Hunter,” she says between sniffling. “Once I hear from them, I’ll let you know what we find out.”
I can’t even fathom having to watch my best friend’s parents bury their child. This can’t be real.
“I’d appreciate that. I’m here to do whatever you guys need, okay? Don’t hesitate,” I tell her, meaning every word. It won’t be easy for any of us, but we need to stick together during this time.
Once the call ends, I head back to the living room and find Lennon curled up in a ball on the couch. She’s crying into a pillow. No words I can offer will make her feel better, so instead, I grab a blanket and cover her. Even though I should make some phone calls, I don’t. Instead, I get another pillow and blanket and lie on the floor next to the couch so I can be close to Lennon. Her cries are the only sound in the room, and I know tonight will be a sleepless night.
It’s after two in the morning when Lennon stops trembling, and her sobs quiet. I reach up for her hand and rub my thumb over her knuckles. The fact she doesn’t pull away or punch me in the face tells me she’s finally fallen asleep.
I’ve laid here for the past four hours with my mind in overdrive as I think back to when I first met Brandon, and I’m slapped with the reality of never seeing him again. Mason, Liam, Brandon, and I have been a foursome of friends since our freshman year of college, though I’d known Brandon since high school. Mason and Liam are from SoCal, but Brandon and I are both Sacramento born and raised. His parents became my family and always welcomed me with open arms. I didn’t just lose my best friend; I lost a brother.