“What are you talking about?” Parker yanks the wheel and peels into the parking lot of a convenience store, slamming the car into park. “This is not on me! Whatever the fuck just happened is not my fault!”
I close my eyes, clenching my jaw, barely in control. My entire body is trembling with adrenaline and fury.
And as fast as it took over, the rage drains the energy from my body. I blink back the tears.
“You’re bleeding,” Parker notes in shock.
I lift my left arm; blood runs down my arm and drips onto my leg. “Sorry. I didn’t realize … I’m making a mess.”
“Shit, Lana.” Parker reaches into the backseat and hands me a folded beach towel. “Here. I should take you to the hospital.”
“No,” I respond quickly. “It’s not deep. I just need to clean up and bandage it. It’ll be fine.”
The tears have escaped despite my resistance. I turn toward the window, hoping they’ll stop. I can’t lose it now. I can’t.
“She said you’re together,” I say quietly, my body still quivering.
“We’re what?” Parker asks in confusion. “She thinks we’re a couple?”
I swallow. My throat is like sandpaper, burning and coarse. “Yeah.”
“That’s what this is about? She thought you and I …”
I nod. He sighs.
“We’re not,” he says quietly. “Shit. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I think I … I’m sorry, Lana.”
I’m not ready to face him, but I turn my head slightly in his direction. “What are you talking about?”
“She told me … she loved me the last time we were together. That she wanted to give us a try. And … I didn’t know what to say because … I don’t feel the same. So I kissed her. I guess she thought that was a yes.”
“You’re such an idiot,” I groan, leaning my head against the window.
She chose him. That’s what I can’t get over. Nina’s need for respect blinded her. She refused to see that I would never betray her. She was so consumed by jealousy, she wouldn’t hear the truth. And Tori stood by her, the ever-loyal cousin. But we were supposed to be family, right? Such bullshit.
“Can you take me home? I need to get cleaned up before I see my mom.”
“Yeah, sure.” Parker backs out of the parking spot. “Do you have bandages?”
“Uh, I don’t know.”
“Why don’t we go to my house? No one’s there. That way we don’t have to worry about Vic showing up either.”
“I need a change of clothes,” I tell him since mine are covered in blood. My foot touches the backpack. Reminding me that I packed some things before leaving Blackwood. “Forget it. It’s fine. I have something.”
“Okay.” He gently touches my arm, drawing my attention to him. His piercing blue eyes shimmer with unshed tears. “I’m really sorry.”
I nod and look away again.
Parker sets me up in a guest room. He offers to bandage my arm, but I refuse, preferring to shower. He hands me a trash bag for my bloody clothes and leaves me. Lifting my shirt over my head is excruciating torture. The muscles in my stomach and back scream in protest when I raise my arms. I gasp and pant as I drop the sticky shirt to the floor.
Against my better judgment, I look in the mirror. My face is pale, except for the reddened blotch along my jaw and the small blazing streaks on my left cheek, courtesy of Tori’s nails. The marks aren’t deep, but they’re raised and angry. I lean in to inspect my jaw. It’s not turning purple, thankfully, but I can’t touch it without my eyes watering.
A dark bruise is already deep purple on my stomach, right below my sternum. I guess I should feel lucky he missed my ribs; he definitely would’ve broken something. There’s a twin bruise on the left side, carrying over to my back. I’m pretty sure I’ll be peeing blood.
My forearm has stopped bleeding, but the slice is long, running from my wrist to my elbow. She would have cut me to the bone if I hadn’t backed away. I stare at the red streak, my chin trembling.
Turning away, I step into the shower and adjust the water until it’s as hot as I can stand it. My body needs ice—an ice bath would be ideal. But I need to feel the heat right now. I can’t seem to stop shivering.
They were supposed to be my best friends. And now … I’m questioning if it was ever real.
I trusted them … with my life.
That thought buckles my knees, and I grab on to the edges of the tub to keep from falling. I sit down and hug my legs to my chest, letting the water spill over me. With my face pressed to my thighs, I release the tears. And the sobs follow, loud and ugly, until I’m howling with grief. My back quakes with each inhale. I grip my arms tighter, pressing my legs against my chest.
They were my family. I relied on them to be there for me. But … they didn’t choose me.
Today. Really. Fuckin’. Sucked.
When I finally turn off the water, my skin is pruned, and my throat is raw and scratchy. My muscles scream in protest, refusing to hold me up. I have to hold on to the wall while I dress to keep from collapsing. I carefully bandage the cut with ointment and gauze.
When I exit the bathroom, I find all three Harrison brothers sitting on the bed, waiting for me.
I took everything away from you. Your life. Your love. Your dignity.
What are you doing here?” I mean to ask them all, but I’m staring at Lance.
“I heard about your mom,” Lance answers. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay, so I borrowed Lily’s car and drove down.”
I close my eyes to hide the sting of tears that erupt behind my lids. Maybe it’s because I’m overtired and physically beat up. Or it’s because I just spent an eternity in the shower, questioning every relationship in my life, and I come out here to find them. And the truth is, Joey and Parker have been there for me all day, without complaint, no matter how ungrateful I’ve been in return. And now …
“Hey, it’s okay,” Joey soothes.
I feel his arm wrap around my waist, and I roll into him. I didn’t think I could cry any more than I already have, but my tears are apparently endless. And this onslaught of emotions has hijacked my body. I don’t make a sound as I hide my face in his chest, his arms embracing me with such gentleness; it’s like I’m made of glass and could shatter under too much pressure.
“Why don’t you lie down? It’s been a really messed up day. We can call the hospital and let your mother know you’ll be there later.”
Sleep sounds amazing. And I want nothing more than to close my eyes and put this entire morning behind me. It’s barely after noon, and today has surpassed the worst day of my life in only a few hours. I still have an entire afternoon and night to get through. Maybe I can avoid whatever disasters are ahead if I’m not conscious. My chaos can’t find me there.
I blot my face with the cuff of my sweatshirt and ease away. Joey releases me but stays close.
I face Parker. “Do you know if she’s okay?”
Parker looks solemn—or maybe guilty. He shakes his head. “My calls go straight to voice mail. Even on Tori’s phone.”