NovelEnglishCHAPTER 55 LUKE It was always the same. Even if he promised that it would stop, he would stop. I should have known when I walked into the fucking house and found my mom in the kitchen icing her cheek. I saw red. I couldn't think straight, couldn't stop my body from going right to his office, slapping the bourbon out of his hand and punching him. It happened so fast. My mother beggedto stop, so I did, but I had to get out of there. I needed to before I did something I would re-gret. Josh wasn't here to stopthis time. Watching her stand up for him instead of to him - was breaking me, and I couldn't take it anymore. I was going to kill him, so I left.
I slammed the front door behind me, the cool night air hitting my face as I took off down the street. If running helped Jessica with whatever was going on in her head, maybe it would help me.
I thought about calling Josh for a second but decided not to.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and the familiar ringtone echoed in my headphones. Josh. As if he somehow knew.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Yeah?" I answered, trying to keep my voice steady as I slowed to a jog.
"Hey, man. I just got home, and your dad askedif I'd seen you. I lied and said you were back at practic. What happened?" Josh knew he probably got a whiff of the alco-hol on my father's breath or saw the split lip I left him with.
"It didn't go that far this time," I said, my breath coming in short bursts. "I got hjust in time. But they're leaving tonight for New York. Business trip. It's so fucked up. She stood up for him." My jaw tightened. "I hate that I can't make sure she's safe. I hate leaving her with him." "I know, man. I know. Next time, I need you to callbefore you ruin your life. You'll get her out of there as soon as you have the means. Remember that." Anger pulsed through me, a dark, consuming rage that I struggled to contain. "I know, man. I know." I ended the call and stood there for a moment, letting the silence wash over me. I'd run until I knew they'd left for the airport and then some. I lost track of tand somehow ended up past the lake. The first drizzle hit me.
Shit.
I was four miles from home, and it was going to rain.
There was nothing I could do about it now.
Just then, a Jeep pulled up next to me-not just any Jeep-a Jeep I knew all too well. Jess rolled down her window, her eyes vacant of emotion. I'd done that; I'd put that void there.
"Want a ride, Luke?" she asked, her voice cutting through the raindrops.
What could I say? I don't want a ride because the minute I'm in a small space with you, I won't be able to control my hands, and I'll take you right there in the Jeep.
I shook my head, trying to appear nonchalant.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm100% Bonus She shrugged and drove off, but as thunder rumbled and lightning lit up the lake, she stopped and reversed. "Get in before I have to tell my brother why I let his best friend becbarbecue." I took a deep breath, my chest feeling tight. This was a bad idea, but running in the lighting seemed like a worse one.
Despite my better judgment, I opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat. The warmth of the Jeep enveloped me, and her scent invaded my senses - sweet but not too sweet. "Thanks," I mumbled, avoiding her gaze. The rain picked up, drumming on the roof and windows, better than complete silence.
"No problem," Jess said, forcing the words out, a little pitched. I'm guessing she was doing her best to appear po- lite. She probably wanted to leave my ass in the rain - I would have.
I could feel the heat radiating from her, the subtle scent of her perfmixing with the rain-dampened air. My mind raced, struggling to keep my thoughts in check and focus on anything other than the proximity of her body and the way her hands gripped the steering wheel. "You okay?" she asked, glancing atout of the corner of her eye. "You seem... off." I forced a laugh, shaking my head. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind."
She nodded, accepting my answer. I wanted to reach out, to touch her, to tell her everything that was swirling in En. my head. But I couldn't. I wouldn't. 100% Bonus
We drove in silence for a while.
Jessica focused on the road, bem fingers tapping & rhythm on the steering wheel.
Eventually, she broke the silence.
"You know, you can talk to me, right? About whatever's bothering you." Then, even softer, she said, "You always used to." I swallowed hard, my throat dry.
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