Heat

Ashley, her mom, and Roger were on their way to the hospital. Neither of them said a word and the tense around them was thick and suffocating. Ashley was still silently crying in the back as she could only imagine what Jay’s brother could’ve possibly done for Jake to end up in the hospital. She knew this would’ve happened, but no one listened to her.

Katie slightly turned to check on her daughter. She was still very worried about Ashley’s condition and to see how worked up she was getting over Jake’s incident made her more worried. Everyone was worried about Jake, but for some reason, Katie felt guilty and maybe it was because she was viewed as a home wreaker, not only by the child of her husband but by the mother of his child.

Katie couldn't even imagine what Jake’s mother had to go through when she received a call from someone saying that her child was in the hospital for almost being beaten to death. If she was in Jake’s mother’s position, no thought of how she would’ve reacted came to her mind. She just hoped that Jake would be fine and have a speedy recovery and that he gets justice.

Roger was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. He was sad, angry, nervous, scared, and guilty. He had completely failed as a father and not only did he hear it but he has seen it as well, himself. Jake’s incident really opened his eyes, but he hopes and prays it wasn’t too late and that his son doesn’t permanently hate him.

As Roger continued to drive while trying his best to not lose focus and crash until a small hand was placed on his left thigh giving it a gentle squeeze. His nerves slightly calm down as he quickly glances at his wife, who smiled gently at him. “Everything is going to be alright, my love,” she mouthed as he sent her a small smile before refocusing on the road.

the car. Her mother silently came beside her pulling her side into hers while wrapping her arm around her waist. A reassuring smile was plastered on Katie’s lips as she petted her

both worried, relieved, and scared look on their faces. Roger walked up to the front desk with the girls close behind. The nurse looked up from her paperwork and smile calmingly at Roger, who seemed anxious. “Hello, good night, sir, how may I help you?” She asked as Roger forced the saliva down his throat before speaking, “My son was brought to the hospital, I’d like to see him,” he said as the nurse furrowed before reaching for a clipboard, “And what’s your son’s

she looks very pale?” The nurse asked catching Ashley's attention as she smiled weakly at the nurse, “I’m fine,” Ashley replied as the nurse tilted her head not really buying Ashley assurance, “Are you sure?” She asked as Ashley nodded, “Yeah, I just really want to see my step-brother,” she said as the nurse sent her a small fake smile, “Alright then, hope everything goes well,” she

the girls to stop as well, “Um- I’ll go first,” he said as Katie nodded, “Ok, Ash will go after and I’ll just stay here,” she said as Roger looked at her with guilt in his eyes before nodding, “I’ll be right back,” he said before leaving.

not going to let the simple flu stop me from doing so," she replied as her mother sighed, "Alright, well, since we're waiting, how about you tell me why Jake's in the predicament in the first place?" She asked as Ashley licked her chapped lips, "Well, you remembered Jay, right?" She asked as her mother nodded, "Well, I really liked Jay and I thought he was different, so I started going out with him," she said as her mother's eyebrows raised, "You went out with him, I thought it was a one-time thing?" She asked as Ashley shook her head, "No, we went out a couple of times, and Jake wasn't really please with that, he kept trying to tell what a snake Jay really was and I didn't listen and

her hands in front of her chest, "Sorry, honey, please continued," she said as Ashley playfully rolled her eyes, "One day, Jay took me out to eat at Aunty Jackie's, it was the day after Jake and I decided to be more considerate about each other's feeling and be more open with each other and he wasn't happy about me going out with Jay, after eating at the diner, Jay dropped me home and I asked him if he was going to call me tonight, but he said that

hates me by the way, she threw the party," she said as her mother furrowed, "Why does Anna's cousin hate you?" She asked as Ashley scoffed, "Apparently she likes Jake, and with me being the step-sister,