Everything happens so fast that I can’t do anything but sit and watch. I hear grunts and slaps, the sounds of bones cracking, and bumps and bangs on the walls and floor as they fight for who’s on top.
I quickly step into action, standing from the bed and wrapping my body in a sheet. I grab Brad by the shoulder, trying to pull him off of Hudson, but Brad is lost to his anger. He doesn’t even think when he turns around and pushes me away. I stumble backward, tripping on the long sheet and falling. I barely miss the bed, instead landing on the floor and bumping my head on the bedside table. It hits hard with a thud. My vision blurs and starts to darken around the corners.
“What the fuck, man?” I hear Hudson say. “You fucking hurt her. Get off of me.”
The next thing I know, Hudson is picking me up against him and laying me down on the bed as he inspects the back of my head. I’m dizzy, but I’m alright and it doesn’t feel to be bleeding.
“I’m fine,” I say, pushing his hands away and trying my best to sit up, but I’m dizzy.
Hudson looks back at Brad who’s still on the floor. “Are you fucking happy now?”
I finally manage to sit up and my eyes lock on Brad’s. His eyes are dark, looking so much like my own and our father’s. All I see shining in them is anger, pain, sadness, and disappointment. I’ve disappointed him. Again.
“Are you okay?” he asks, not bothering to move.
I nod as tears sting my eyes. Not tears of pain, but tears of sadness from causing the look on his face. He’s the only one I have, and I did this. I let him down. I disregarded everything he said and took exactly what I wanted like I always do.
“Good.” He stands up and head for the door but pauses in his open doorway. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on here, but I know one thing.” He turns around to face us. “You were supposed to be my friend. I specifically told you that she was off-limits, and you went behind my back. How long has this been going on?”
“A few weeks,” I admit.
“Weeks?” he practically snarls.
Hudson holds up his hand. “Look, I know you’re angry.”
“Damn right I’m angry. You’re my best friend and she’s my little sister! I’m supposed to be taking care of her, protecting her from men like you!”
I see Hudson’s back straighten with the insult. “Look, we were going to tell you. We just wanted to be sure before we did.”
Brad laughs. “Oh, you were going to tell me? Tell me that you broke the number one rule? That you’ve been fucking my sister behind my back?”
It all sounds so bad that way. Why couldn’t he have just waited for us to explain?
“I’m leaving. When I come back, you both better be gone. I’m fucking done with both of you.” He turns and leaves the room.
“Come on, man,” Hudson yells, but the only reply is the front door slamming.
11
Hudson
I can feel my eye swelling and have no doubt that it’s starting to bruise. My jaw is sore and a pain shoots through my hand every time I clench it. I hated fighting with Brad, but despite the pain, I deserved every hit he got in.
I wrap my arm around Deven as she cries, my hand rubbing up and down her bicep as I keep her held tight against my side.
“Shhh, it’ll be alright,” I whisper into her hair as I press a kiss to her head.
“How do you know? He was really mad,” she cries.
“I just know. We just need to give him some time. Come on. Get dressed, and you and me will leave for a few days, give him the time he needs.”
She looks up at me, her big brown eyes full of tears and worry. “Where are we going to go? I don’t have enough money for my own place yet. I only just got my first check.”
“I have more than enough. We’ll stay at the motel a few days, then I’ll try talking to Brad again after he’s cooled off.”
She nods, not liking my answer but having no other choice. She stands and begins to gather her clothes. I finish getting dressed and pack my things back into my military-issued duffle. I turn the light out and close the bedroom door behind