Behind the Tears (Behind the Lives) Read Free Page B

Chaz said.
    “You’re not sorry at all,” Dante barked. “You only regret gettin’ caught. You should never be let outta prison, cos you’d do the exact same thing to some other kid.”
    “I’m not a paedo—” Chaz’s words were cut short as the guard forcibly removed him through the doorway.
    Dante went for the other door, desperate to escape his past, present—everything. Panic throbbed in his chest as he entered the corridor. There were too many people blocking his path, slowing him down. He needed air, space, hated being surrounded by people, pushed against, unable to get free. People started to veer out of his way, his swearing no doubt scaring them, although it was something he couldn’t control during an episode. He shot through the entrance and jumped down the steps, cursing himself for not having taken his bipolar meds, something which usually stopped him from losing it. He needed to calm down quick, to find something good to centre his mind on before it fractured apart... Beth , think of Beth.
    Someone grabbed his arm from behind. Dante spun around, ready to slam his fist into whoever it was, but stopped short when he saw Sledge. He tapped his brother hard on the forehead, still too amped to control himself, even though guilt instantly hit him back for doing it. “Don’t you ever listen? I told you not to come.”
    Sledge batted his hand away, his hard features looking close to cracking. “I have every right to be here, he killed my mother too!”
    Dante put his hands to his head, the pain in his brother’s voice making him feel even more ashamed. “I’m sorry, I can’t handle this.”
    “And you think I can?” Sledge said. “Why the hell wuzn’t I told ’bout Ash?”
    “He didn’t want cha knowing.”
    “I have a right to know just as much as you do.”
    “You were only eight at the time.”
    “I’m not a kid anymore. It’s been ten years for fuck’s sake.”
    “It’s too hard for Ash to talk about.”
    “Then you should’ve told me.”
    “I understand you’re upset, but I promised to keep it a secret. He hates people knowing—”
    “And he hates me.”
    Dante frowned. “No, he doesn’t. Why would ja say that for?”
    “Cos it’s true. He’s always treated me differently, like I’m not part of the family. That’s pro’bly why he never told me ’bout the rape.”
    “That’s a load of crock and you know it. He’s looked after you for the past few years, put a roof over your head, fed you, but you never acknowledge any of that.”
    “Well, I ain’t ever living with him again, cos he’s a violent sonofabastard.”
    “He’s not that bad.”
    “He bashed the living shit outta me!”
    “Cos you and Tama viciously attacked his friend.”
    “I wuz defending my mates.”
    A flash of something in Dante’s peripheral vision made him stop talking. Dante’s gaze shifted to the court building, the stone walls as formidable as the two cops watching them from the entrance. He hadn’t noticed them standing there before. He wondered what they’d heard, and whether anything he’d said could get Sledge arrested.
    Sledge’s upset gaze followed Dante’s, the look on his face now afraid. “I’ve gotta go.”  Sledge spun around and took off across the car park, heading for his motorbike.
    Dante thought about going after him, but instead walked to his car, knowing Sledge needed some time to process everything—and for him to do the same. He got into his Holden and backed out, dreading telling Ash about what had gone down.
    After a short drive, Dante turned into his driveway and parked next to Beth’s pink Volkswagen. He remained behind the wheel for several minutes, just staring at her car, wishing for things to be different. Exhaling, he pushed open the door and trudged across the lawn, getting mud all over his good shoes. He kicked them off at the front door, then unlocked the house and headed for Ash and Beth’s bedroom.
    “Ash, are you awake?” he called out,