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It took far too long for Enzo’s words to register.
“TK. I’m so sorry. She’s gone.
He knew that the look of shock on his face was scaring Carlos. And he had to force the words through his lips. Words he never thought he’d have to even contemplate for at least another twenty years.
Because this was a joke right? She was just fine, with Jonah, everything was great. Enzo was just playing a really bad trick that was totally uncalled for and he’d be calling to yell again. Just like he did when he and his mom broke up the first time, back when he was still recovering from his first overdose.
The words rang through his head again. She’s gone, she’s gone, she’s gone-
“It’s my mom.”
Mom, mom, no, please, don’t be gone, don’t leave me
Carlos gave him a small smile and gestured to the phone with his beer bottle. “Well, tell her I say hi.”
Alarm bells were screaming through his head. How can I say this, I can’t, she’s gone, please no-
“She’s… she’s dead.”
Seeing the jovial mood fall off of Carlos’ face drove home the words that he finally said. Has it been an hour? A day? Thirty seconds?
His phone slipped through bloodless fingers and clattered to the floor. The sound of plastic tapping against the pressed concrete seemed to echo through his head, suddenly both empty of thought, but filled with a roar.
Carlos surged forward. For a split second, it confused him. Then he felt his body start to collapse, everything going blurry. Sound was completely lost to him. He could just make out arms wrapping around him, keeping him upright? Or at least controlling his fall, oh, that made sense, he was being set on the living room couch.
Slowly, muffled noise reached his ears, drowned out by the broken record of Mom is gone, she left me, please don’t go where I can’t follow. A cool cloth was pushed behind his neck, another pressed against his cheeks. He heard a voice he recognized, one he trusted, calling for water? Why, was he on fire?
No. Mom. He collapsed.
TK snapped his eyes open. The world was still hazy, especially around the edges. But as always, he was hyper focused on the man leaning over him, calling his name. He could recognize his name on those lips
Wait. No. Mom. She’s-
“Carlos?” He forced his mouth to move. But it hurt. His throat felt like he’d gargled gravel.
He felt hands - not Carlos’, but ones he could trust - help him to sit up. A glass of ice water was pressed against his lips, encouraging him to take a sip or two before attempting speaking again.
“Hey, sip some more, don’t try to talk. We can figure out everything in a few minutes.” Carlos’ hand carded through his hair, keeping him calm. Or at least keeping him steady. Realizing Carlos expected some sort of response, TK nodded, taking another sip from the cup, recognizing it being held by Nancy.
Oh, God, and this was supposed to be her night. He’d ruined it with his drama. Carlos glanced away for a second. “Did you get Owen on the phone? Is he coming?”
Dad’s coming? Wait. That makes sense. He needed to know about -
“Hey, hey, breathe. Let me handle this for a bit.” Carlos focused back on him, keeping his thoughts from racing again.
“Is she- Did she really-” He couldn’t say it again. But truly this was just a nightmare, and he was about to wake up from his pre-party nap and everything was going to be fine and Enzo hadn’t called and-
“I’m so sorry, Tiger.”
It’s not fair. It’s not fair!
His friends and teammates and lover rallied around him, but all he could see ahead on the road was darkness.