The Reckless Collision

Sam.

~~~

Shit! Shit! Shit! The words ricocheted through my mind as I stumbled along the unfamiliar street, my breath hitching with every hurried step. I was sure the house wasn't far, but everything felt hazy. My legs had carried me God knows where after I left the backyard, and now I couldn't even piece together how to get back.

The street was poorly lit, the kind that belonged in a thriller movie just before something terrible happened. My heart pounded as I looked around—no pedestrians on the sidewalks, not a single car driving by. Just me, the empty dark, and the sharp gusts of wind tugging at my loose hair like invisible hands.

Wrapping my good arm around myself, I shivered. The wind bit through my thin dress, and I felt utterly exposed. What is wrong with me? My thoughts spiraled, Courtney's cutting words replaying in my head. They hadn't just been cruel—they'd echoed the fears I was too afraid to admit to myself.

"Hey there." The gruff voice behind me made me freeze. I turned my head slightly, catching sight of a short, stocky figure following me. My stomach dropped.

I quickened my pace without answering, my boots scuffing against the pavement. The sound of his steps sped up too.

"You need help?" he called louder, his voice tinged with something that made my skin crawl.

"No," I muttered under my breath, walking faster. Panic clawed at my chest, and I nearly collided with someone else—a tall figure who appeared out of nowhere.

"Leave her alone." The voice was steady, commanding, and achingly familiar.

I felt my entire body sag with relief as Ray stepped between me and the stranger. He was all sharp lines and unwavering focus, his striped T-shirt stretching across his chest as he blocked the man's path.

The guy gave a half-hearted chuckle, muttering something before brushing past us. I barely noticed. Ray turned to me, his arms wrapping around me in a fierce hug. I buried my face in his chest, the smell of his cologne grounding me as I felt the rapid thrum of his heartbeat.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he asked, his voice low but laced with worry.

"I—I'm sorry," I stammered, looking up at him. His hands moved to cup my face, his touch warm against my cold skin.

"How did you even find me?" I whispered, still catching my breath.

"Andrew told me you stayed in the yard for a while," he said. "But when I went out, you weren't there. The back gate was open, and—" He paused, exhaling sharply. "Thank God you're okay." He hugged me again, tighter this time.

"Spot," I murmured, guilt creeping into my voice.

"You put him in the kennel," Ray reminded me, gently steering me back toward the house. His arm draped protectively around my shoulders. "Why did you leave, love?" I stayed silent, my thoughts tangling together in a chaotic mess.

Ray sighed. "I swear I didn't know Courtney was going to show up, and I only found out about Rory right before the party. It's... it's too much, isn't it?"

"Yes," I admitted quietly, my voice shaky. "And it's more than that. We agreed to be honest with each other, Ray, but you don't tell me half of what's going on."

"I know," he said, his tone long and heavy with regret.

By the time we reached the house, I was too drained to argue. He let me step into the yard first, the warmth of the house's lights spilling onto the grass.

Ray followed, running a hand through his hair. "Every time I try to open up, something happens," he said, sitting down on the wooden swing. "And I don't want to make things worse."