Adrenalin

Chapter 18 - Hayden

So this is the chapter that I accidently posted before... my bad xD

Anyway, this is where it's supposed to go. It's a little short than other chapters but it's good. A tad feelsy and angsty :3

Oh and question: If Sydney and Hayden were to "do the deed" who's POV would you prefer it to be in? Comment below!

Enjoy and please let me know what you think! It's greatly appreciated xxx
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I should not have gone home last night, I should have stayed with Sydney – but I’m no coward.

I climb out of bed gingerly the next morning, the pain in my back causing me to wince as I hobble into the bathroom next door. A nice purple-grey bruise has formed over my right cheekbone. Dad does a lot of damage when he’s angry.

Leaning forward, I rub a blob of anti-swelling cream over the bruise before hanging my head forward and letting out a shaky breath. Mum had brought up my speech about Daniel and I knew nothing good was going to come from it. Dad didn’t like it. He hit me in the face before proceeding to push me into the dining room table. I was sure a nice big bruise was forming on my lower back too.

I didn’t cry. I didn’t cower away. I didn’t run. I didn’t yell or shout. And I most certainly did not hit back – that’d be dropping to his level. I just took it, sucked it up, and tried to reassure Mum who was absolutely distraught. But really, what did she expect was going to happen when she told Dad?

After showering, I grab a bowl of cereal and head out the front of the house. A hug gum tree towers over the old trampoline that we used to play on as kids. Now it just sits there, fading in the sun and collecting leaves. I lean against the tree, shaded from the hot summer sun.

Dad’s red Porsche Carrera rolls smoothly up the driveway and dread floods my system. He climbs out, locks the car and walks straight inside. I let out a long breath I didn’t realise I had been holding.

Not long later I had finished breakfast and set the bowl down next to me, watching a few ants crawl over the side and try to swim in the remaining milk. Well, what to do now? Mum was out shopping. Dad was back from golf. Kyle and Max have gone fishing and Jordan is with Victoria. I hadn’t heard from Sydney.

The sound of a familiar engine snaps me out of my trance. It’s Sydney’s black Supra that rolls to a stop outside my house. This was totally unexpected... yet fucking awesome because God help me if I'm expected to get through this weekend without her.

I stand slowly, using the tree for support. Sydney climbs out of the driver’s side, waving to me before opening the door for Riley.

My mood perks up at the sight of her. Just a little bit. It seems this weather was even too hot for her, because there wasn’t a hint of black insight – she wore a hot red dress instead.

I stand on the front lawn with my hands shoved in the pockets of my shorts. Sydney walks over with Riley’s hand in hers and stops in front of me.

“Hey there.” She says simply and I watch as her eyes slowly notice my cheek. “What in God’s name happened to you?”

I scratch the back of my neck. “I had a disagreement.”

“With what?” She raises her eyebrows.

My eyes switch to Riley uncomfortably – I really don’t want him hearing about any of this. Sydney catches on quickly.

“Oh.” She says, glancing at me before turning to Riley. “Why don’t you go check out the trampoline, yeah? I remember you asked Santa for one last year.”

Riley rolls his eyes at her, totally not buying the bullshit. “Okaaay.” He groans, letting go of her hand and walking over to the trampoline behind me.

Sydney’s eyes switch to mine again. “What happened?”

“Dad.” I say simply and she sighs, dropping her forehead onto her hand. “He wasn’t very pleased with the ‘stunt’ I pulled last night.”

“Jesus, Hayden.” She steps closer, running the back of her hand over my cheekbone softly. “What did he do to you?”

“Hit me in the face, shoved me into the dining room table.” I shrug - I don’t like to make a big deal out of things. And the last thing I want is to make her worried.

“So what did you do? Did you hit him back?”

“No.”

Her deep green eyes study me, looking right past my façade and into my very soul. I hate it how she’s so good at that. “Are you okay?”

“No.” I reply again.

Sydney envelopes me in her arms and I bury my face in the crook of her neck. It’s too hot for this sort of contact but I might fall apart if she doesn’t hold me together.

“You’re a good man, Hayden.” She reassures me and I wish I could express how much I appreciate that. She tightens her arms around me. I press a kiss to the hot skin of her neck and another on her shoulder.

The door opens behind us and a quiet "fuck" escapes my lips. I turn around to see Dad standing at the doorway, arms crossed over his chest and a serious expression on his face.

“Hayden is grounded for the rest of the weekend,” Dad calls to Sydney. Her hand slips into mine. “Come inside, boy.” He calls to me.

I turn to Sydney again, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“I –,” Her eyes plead with me and the concern and fear in them makes my stomach clench with guilt. “Hayden, I love –,”

I press a finger to her lips, cutting her off. “Don’t say it. Not here or now.” I kiss her, letting my lips linger longer than they should. “I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”

She nods, biting her lip. “Riley! Let’s go, buddy.”

I leave Sydney and walk towards the front door, ruffling Riley’s hair as he runs past. Dad grabs my arm forearm, shoving me inside roughly. He could hit me as hard he wants right now but I wouldn’t care – I knew what Sydney was about to say and that thought alone will get me through the entire weekend.
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Next chapter teaser: Still no Hayden, but there's trouble in town with Sydney's mother... who now has a name which you will found out.