Adrian Voss
1202 Words
•.•Skylar•.•
I was deep-s**t scared, and it didn’t help that Harper wasn’t waking up. Jaxon put her in the backseat, her body limp against the leather. I clamped a hand over my mouth.
No, no, no.
“What happened to her?” My voice came out as a shriek, breaking midway.
Jaxon got into the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut. A bile rose in my throat, making swallowing difficult. Really difficult.
He glanced back at Harper’s limp body before turning the ignition. “She was drugged and almost raped.” His green eyes locked on mine when he said the last part.
That didn’t make it any less mortifying. What the hell?
“We have to get her to the clinic. I don’t know what those fuckers gave her. It could be minor or—” He paused, jaw tightening. My heart dropped.
“Severe,” he finished, pulling away from the neighborhood.
I stared out into the dark night, wondering if she’d ever be okay. What if it wasn’t just drugs? What if it was an overdose? What if—
So many what-ifs.
I didn’t even know I was crying until a drop hit my wrist. I blinked hard, sniffed, and dabbed my eyes before turning to the window again.
“She’ll be fine,” Jaxon muttered, and I shook my head.
“I should’ve said no. It’s my fault.” My voice cracked. I could feel him staring, his eyes always left an impression, one way or another.
“It’s not your fault. Although y’all were dumb to attend a party — and not just any party… a frat party.” He bit out the words before taking a turn.
I stared at my hands in my lap. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled, and I was sure I heard him scoff.
“You don’t owe me an apology. I’m not responsible for you, remember?” he pointed out, reminding me of my own words. Way to make me feel more guilt.
I stayed silent. There was nothing more to say. And while Jaxon had been helpful, that attitude of his was still impossible to tolerate. Besides, I had something worse to worry about.
Harper waking up.
We got to the clinic, and Jaxon carried her inside. I sat at the edge of her bed as the nurses drew blood samples, trying to determine what was in her system.
Jaxon had also asked them to check if she had been sexually assaulted. Hearing the word hurt. She didn’t deserve any of this — especially when she’d had genuine intentions toward both those men.
They’d feasted on her gullibility.
I took her hand after the nurse left, staring at her pale face and lips cracked from dryness.
“The results will be out in an hour,” Jaxon announced as he walked back into the room. He’d followed the nurse to explain something I hadn’t heard.
I glanced at him and nodded — and noticed his shirt was worn inside out. He’d left home in a rush, it was obvious. That pulled a small string in my chest.
It didn’t mean anything… but I felt it.
He tucked his hands into his pockets. “I’ll be outside,” he said, turning to leave.
“You don’t have to,” I blurted. He stopped abruptly. I cleared my throat. “You’ve done a lot already. You don’t have to wait.”
He looked at me over his shoulder, eyes scanning my face.
“I will be outside,” he repeated, slower this time, like I hadn’t understood him before. I pressed my lips together as he left, shutting the door behind him.
Wow. Okay.
I had no idea how much time passed. The results still weren’t out. I eventually dozed off — head on the bed, body in the chair I’d dragged closer.
“I need water. Fuck.”
A croaked voice cut through the silence.
I was dreaming. I had to be.
A soft touch brushed my hair — hesitant at first, then firmer.
“Sky?” The voice sounded familiar now. I hummed and turned my head.
A sigh. Silence. “Wait… is this a hospital? Why am I in a hospital bed?”
It hit me in the chest. I wasn’t dreaming. I was painfully awake.
I jerked my head up too fast, startling her — just as the door opened and Jaxon walked in behind the nurse. Both Harper and I snapped our heads toward them.
Jaxon leaned against the wall, brow raised. The nurse gave a pleasant smile.
“Oh, you’re awake. Good. It’d be concerning if you weren’t,” she said, placing her chart on the table.
“How do you feel?” she asked.
Harper blinked, confused. The nurse nodded encouragingly.
“Do you remember anything?”
Harper frowned. “Um… being in my dorm?” She turned to me. “Did I pass out and you had to ask for asshole’s help to get me here?” she whispered — or thought she whispered — but she was loud.
I was sure he heard her, even though he showed no reaction. Meanwhile, my face heated. I was overstimulated, overwhelmed, overstressed — everything.
“He’s not— he helped us,” I countered, and she pursed her lips, still lost.
The nurse scribbled something onto her chart, then turned to Jaxon.
“She was not touched in any way. The results came back negative.”
A breath of relief escaped me.
“She’ll be fine. She may not recall things immediately, but her memory will return with time.”
“What’s she talking about?” Harper nudged me. I stared at her.
“I’ll explain everything later,” I murmured, trying to listen to the nurse’s remaining instructions.
Plenty of water. Rest. Okay.
“I’ll go stay with her in the dorm for the night,” I said as we prepared to leave after her discharge.
Jaxon didn’t look at me — his attention fixed on his phone.
“What happened to the house?” he asked, tone dry.
“I figured you wouldn’t want the both of us in your space,” I said quietly.
He glanced at me then, and I pressed my lips together.
“I don’t remember saying such.”
“You don’t have to,” I mumbled.
He pocketed his phone and straightened.
“Unless you’re up for body pains. Sure.”
I exhaled. Of course the dorm bed would be too small for both of us.
My phone rang. I frowned — who would call at 1 a.m.? I dug it out and my heart dropped.
I stared at Jaxon.
“Did you call my dad?” I asked, dreading the answer.
He gave a small shrug. “I had to tell a trusted adult.”
I glared at him. “Why the f**k would you do that?” I nearly screamed. Harper frowned at me.
“Why would he call your dad?”
The phone stopped ringing — then immediately started again.
Adrian Voss was not to be played with. And Jaxon knew it. He f*****g knew.
Fuck my life.
- Writer
