Stay For Me - Megan Smith Page 0,75

push the door open.

Cooper is bent over leaning against the wall, Mrs. Del Luca is rocking back and forth repeating the word “No!” Erin, who must have arrived after I left, is sitting in the corner with her face buried in her hands, and Mason and Hunter and holding their crying wives.

Everything goes gray. I struggle to take a deep breath in. My throat is tight and when my eyes meet with Cooper for just a second I see the pain in his eyes before a black door slams shut.

One month later…

A couple is left in critical condition outside of club Fierce in Seaside Heights, NJ, early Friday morning.

Police received a 9-1-1 call from one of the owners of the club, Cooper Cahill, who found the couple after the beating. Eli

Sabatino, who owns the other half of the night club, and his fiancé were the victims.Sabatino and Del Luca were transported to Community Medical Center, Toms River, where they both remain in critical condition.

There are no witnesses or suspects at this time. Seaside Heights Police and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office are asking for the public’s help in this investigation. If you have any information please contact them at 1-555-957-1000.

The police came by my room and asked me questions about that night once I woke up. I told them everything. We were together alone after Cooper left, had sex in the office and got engaged. They left shortly after and said they’d be in contact.

Police are no closer to finding the suspects of the brutal beating of the couple found last week behind Fierce.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the beating.

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office along with family and friends are asking for anyone to come forward with anything at all that might help the investigation.

If you have any information please contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-555-957-1000.

Not many showed up for the funeral. The funeral I only stayed at for a few minutes. I couldn’t be there, I couldn’t say goodbye. I thought I could do it, thought I was strong enough but I wasn’t.

I’m weak.

I’m angry.

I’m hurting.

Authorities have arrested and charged a 22-year-old Brick, NJ, man with attempted murder and first-degree murder.

Late last week the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office was given an anonymous tip that led them to Brian Hopkins. After he was brought in for questioning he confessed to the crime.

“An anonymous tip came in and we followed up with it hoping this would give us the lead that we needed.” Edward Brown, Seaside Heights Police Chief said.Through the interview, Hopkins told police that he was in a relationship with Layla Del Luca a few months back and it didn’t end well. Hopkins admitted that he went after Del Luca and Sabatino early Friday morning in an attempt to “rough them up.” Hopkins also confessed to being high on narcotics and alcohol that night which he claims “fueled his rage.”

Hopkins has been charged with attempted murder and first-degree murder. He is currently being held in the Ocean County Jail on $500,000 bail set by Judge Richard Paul.

Six months later…

“Eli?” Someone calls.

I roll over on my stomach trying to ignore whoever is bothering me. I hear someone breathing. I crack one eye open. Fallon is lying on the bed next to me.

“I’m sorry you’re sad.” Fallon whispers.

“Me too.”

“I’m sad, too.” She says getting a little choked up.

Fallon reaches over and holds my hand. “I know you are, squirt.”

We lay in bed for a while, me and her, just like she used to do with Layla sometimes. Fallon’s stomach starts to growl. She gets up off the bed and disappears for a few minutes only to return a few minutes later with pancakes and ice cream.

It’s the first time in a month that my stomach actually growls. I normally just eat because I know I have to or because someone is forcing me.

Fallon giggles. “Want some?” She asks scooping a spoonful of ice cream on a piece of pancake. Chocolate ice cream drips down her chin, she wipes it along her arm. This was always Fallon and Layla’s comfort food. Anytime you saw them eating it you knew something was wrong.

Fallon does the same thing again with the pancakes and ice cream, only this time I take her little hand and guide it to my mouth. The pancakes mixed with ice cream taste like heaven.

In the corner of my eye I catch Mrs. Del Luca leaning against the doorway. “Finally.” She whispers.

Fallon