Crossing Boundaries

Chapter 15

Panic surged through me. Without even considering my half-naked state, I sprinted downstairs. All I wanted was to do was make sure she was okay.

Seeing her sitting there, head down, crying, with cuts and grazes on her hands and knees, I barely registered Connor's face. My attention was solely on her. She couldn't meet my gaze, anger and hurt radiating from her. I felt like a complete piece of shit . Her disappointment in me was entirely warranted. She rejected my offer to take her home, and it stung. But that didn't matter; I needed to ensure she got home safely. I wanted to stay with her, hold her close, apologise profusely, and promise that I'd never let harm come her way again. It pained me when she turned me down, when she asked for space. I couldn't blame her. It was my fault she got hurt ..

I need to make a proper apology to her, one she hopefully accepts. I wanted to talk to Kady about those guys she's been hanging out with, but I leave that for another time.Her recent behavior has me suspicious, wondering if she's targeting Lorna. Or perhaps I'm just letting paranoia take over.

Throwing back the covers, I head for a shower. Hoping  the water will wash away the remnants of last night's memories. Unfortunately, it doesn't work—Lorna's face keeps resurfacing. The image of blood on my hand as I touched her face haunts me. She hit her head, Fuuuck.....I punch the wall in frustration. I'm such a prick . Why did I leave her alone? Fucking Melissa was a mistake.

After my shower, I descend the stairs to find my brother and dad already there. Connor walks in, looking even worse than I do—his eye is blackening, his lip swollen.

"Good night, lads," chirps my dad, his back turned. He hasn't noticed Connor's injuries yet. "Holy shit, Connor, what happened to you?" Lance questions with a slight chuckle. Dad turns around, his eyes widening. "Connor, what the hell happened to your face?"

Connor glances at me, and I shake my head subtly, silently telling him not to mention what happened with Lorna. Knowing my dad, he'd be straight over to her parents, and then the situation would escalate. Connor offers a vague explanation, "Just got into a little scrap," he says, giving a half-smile and rubbing the back of his head. Lance teases, "Was it over a girl?"

"Uh Sort of," Connor replies hesitantly. Lance probes further, "Who?"

"What are you, a detective?" I retort sarcastically.

Lance persists, "I bet it was Lorna."
Rolling my eyes, I tell him mind his own business and no it wasn't ..

Dad narrows his eyes at us, suspicious. "Why would you think that?"

Lance smirks, "Word has it Lorna's gotten very hot over the summer. Although she always been hot he says winking at me, and every guy in school wants a piece of her,,Isn't that right, Reece?" He says with smug grin ..

Suppressing my annoyance, I retort, "I'm going to wipe that smirk off your face." If you don't shut the fuck up...

Dad looks between us with skepticism, "I hope this doesn't involve her. And I hope you're taking care of her," he says, directing his gaze at me. "She's a special girl, and I wouldn't want anything bad happening to her. Do you hear me?"

I nod, agreeing fervently, "Of course, Dad." Connor knows what happened to her five years ago, so he understands.

Lance chimes in playfully, "Sure, if he can't I'll look after her for you." Dad slaps him on the head, and Connor and I chuckle.