“Let—let go.” He was sputtering, the shirt tightening around his throat.
“If I see your face around Oliver, I swear to Christ you’ll be beaten so bad you won’t be able to open your eyes.”
I didn’t know what had come over me. A curtain of crimson. I could feel the anger boiling through my veins. Never had I felt this type of raw, frightening anger.
“Yes, yes.” His eyes were bulging. I dropped him. Juan crumpled like a broken toy, holding his neck and falling onto the floor, gasping for breath.
I didn’t move. I didn’t bother to help him back up. I just stood there and waited. He finally managed to get up, his legs shaking, his eyes red. He stared at me with a darkness that would have affected me on any other day.
Not today. I stared him down without blinking a motherfucking eye.
I wanted so badly to beat him to a bloody pulp. He had taken Derrick’s life. He was one of the two who had changed Oliver’s life forever.
But I knew I needed more to bring him in. The cops wouldn’t arrest Juan off his voice alone. I had to find some kind of footage from that night, some other piece of undeniable proof that put him in that alley. And then I needed to figure out the second piece of the puzzle. Who the hell was Juan with? Was it his brother?
“Fuck this.” Juan coughed and started down the hall. “You’ll regret this shit, puta!”
Sirens started to sound from far off, the wails cutting through the night. Without missing a beat, Juan took off running.
“Hey! Stop!”
I went to give chase, but a hand on my elbow stopped me. “Wait, Beck, don’t. Please.”
It was Oliver.
“Let the cops look for him. I can’t… not again. Just please. Please.”
Oliver’s entire body shook. I couldn’t leave this spot, I knew that. If I left Oliver, he’d crumble.
I held him and helped him back into his place.
“I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I led him here.”
“It’s okay. It’s okay.” Oliver’s hands trembled in mine. “I’m glad you did. It’s confirmation.”
Just then, the door to the bathroom opened. I jumped, ready to fight. Will walked out, looking as pale and scared as Oliver.
“I heard all of that. Everything okay?”
Oliver shook his head. He tried saying no but squeaked instead.
Will came over and hugged Oliver. I could see the friendship between them, the camaraderie that stretched back for years. Will took a step back and took us both in.
“Keep him safe, all right?” He spoke directly to me.
I nodded. I understood where his defensive came from. Oliver was precious to every person he connected with. Will was just looking out for him.
“All right, I really need to get out of here.” Oliver shook his shoulders and wiped at his cheeks. “Beck, can I stay over your place tonight?”
“Of course,” I said. Will, still looking a little shaken, turned to collect his stuff off the nearby table, his pockets jingling with keys as he walked, catching the cats’ attention as they slinked out of Oliver’s bedroom now that the coast was clear.
As soon as Oliver filled up Mason and Jar’s water dishes and food bowls, we took off, Will leaving with us. We said our goodbyes in the car park. I offered Will a ride, but he said he wanted to walk, that he needed the fresh air.
The drive home was quiet. I let Oliver sit in his thoughts, and he let me do the same. The entire time, his hand was in my lap, my fingers twined through his.
When we pulled into the driveway, Oliver asked the first question. “So what next?”
“I keep digging, that’s what’s next.”