Redeeming Hope by Shell Taylor

Author:Shell Taylor [Taylor, Shell]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63476-377-6
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2015-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

ELIJAH TRUDGED to his car half-numb, though the frigid air had nothing to do with how he felt. He couldn’t believe how quickly everything had gone downhill. Adam was right—Elijah had every intention of telling him that being together was a one-time deal. But Adam wasn’t stupid either. It had to be obvious to anyone with a brain that Elijah was not good enough for Adam, so why was he so upset?

Disappointed for failing so spectacularly, Elijah pulled into the street and turned his wipers on. He hoped he could get home before the light drizzle turned into a freezing downpour. Lost in his own misery, he nearly missed the figure stumbling down the road toward HOPE’s parking lot. The individual was limping, clearly injured, and far too small to be an adult.

Elijah pulled his car into the other lane and off the road, saying a silent prayer of thanks that they’d just finished the first two rooms in the inn, but hoping they wouldn’t be needed. He threw his car in park and hopped out.

“Hey. Do you need some help? Are you trying to get to The Center for HOPE?”

The figure raised his head, and Elijah’s entire world stopped.

“Kollin?”

“Adam?” Kollin mumbled. He clutched his sides and stumbled into Elijah’s arms.

Bending down to sweep Kollin off the ground, Elijah left his car idling on the side of the road as he jogged back to the center. “I got you, buddy. We’re going to take care of you. Everything’s going to be fine, okay? Just stay with me.”

Kollin winced and tightened his arm around his stomach, so Elijah slowed his jog to a swift walk. He was nearly to the front door when Kollin said Adam’s name again and fell limp in Elijah’s arms, his head lolling backward.

“No! No, no, no, buddy. I got you. You’re gonna be okay. Adam’s going to know what to do. Hang on, Kollin.”

Elijah did his best to turn the knob as he shoved his shoulder against the door without dropping Kollin. He pushed the door open and shouted, “Adam.”

“I told—” Adam yelled, already walking into the foyer.

“Fuck, Adam. I don’t know what happened. I found him stumbling toward the center like this.” Please, please, please know what to do.

“Kollin,” Adam whispered. Panic settled in Elijah’s chest as Adam stood there, wide-eyed and frozen. Adam wasn’t supposed to freak out. Adam was supposed to tell Elijah everything would be fine—that this wasn’t a big deal, and Kollin would be okay in a day or two. Looking down at Kollin’s bruised face, Elijah knew no amount of confidence from Adam could make him believe that. Finally Adam cursed and waved Elijah forward. “Bring him in my office. Is he conscious?”

“Barely. He’s mumbled your name a few times, but other than that, he’s dead weight.” Elijah laid Kollin on the couch as gently as he could, taking care not to jostle him too much. He had a feeling Kollin’s ribs were most likely bruised, if not cracked or broken.

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