Just One Accident (Book 3 In The Just Once Series)

Chapter Three

Summer's POV:

I don't know how long it takes me to get home. Walking the entire way has left my legs aching and my feet hurting. Somewhere in my head I'd thought walking would help clear my head, help me make sense of the entire situation.

How the fuck did things go so wrong, so fast?

Yesterday was like any other Friday night. I was always off work Fridays because the restaurant could get rowdy and Rhys never liked the thought of me working those nights. I'd always go to his and we'd study, chat, maybe order some food in and watch a film, then he'd drop me home or occasionally I'd crash in one of his spare bedrooms.

The way he'd touched me, kissed me, made love to me, it felt real, felt as if he'd meant it.

I stop fighting the sobs as I sink onto my bed, bury my face into my pillow and let the screams inside my head out.

He's used me. My mum had used me all my life. My dad had used me. My friends back home had used me too. But I'd trusted Rhys, believed he'd never do that to me.

I curl up on my side, my vision blurred with tears as I hug my knees to my chest.

I had no one left I could trust. Talin, yes, but not with this. Not when Rhys and Cole were so close. I couldn't put her in that situation.

God I was so stupid to think he'd love me, care for me like I cared for him. Trust him in ways I'd learnt never to trust anyone. I don't even know how he'd gotten through, when I'd started to let him in enough that I not only trusted him without question, but I loved him enough to risk the pain.

The sounds coming from me are raw, my throat aching, my stomach cramping as I cry and cry until it hurts, until my tears have made my eyes sore and red.

I don't know how long I cry for, just know when my stomach finally says enough, I have to rush to the bathroom and bring up the small amount of water in my stomach. I gag, dry heaving into the toilet until my eyes sting and water, until my lungs feel too tight and I pull back, gripping the sink as I gasp for breath.

I catch my reflection in the mirror as I look up a few minutes later. My face is a mess, blotchy and swollen, my hair unbrushed and tangled. I look away, hating the fact my hair is like that from Rhys' hands more than it is from my crying.

I suddenly need his T-shirt off me, need him off me. I turn the shower on before stepping back to strip myself naked while the water heats up. I pull the top off and hold it in my hands, looking down at the black material, the smell of Rhys clinging to it. My hands shake. I go into my bedroom, uncaring I'm walking around with my breasts on show, it's not like I live with anyone. I look at the bin, hesitate.

I swallow hard, the pain inside of me so bad. I open my bottom draw, shoving the T-shirt inside.

"What are you doing, Summer?" I whisper, my throat sore. I shove the odd socks and ripped comfy tops aside, making room for Rhys' T-shirt. This is my comfort draw. The place all the old clothes I love to wear when no one can see are kept. The clothes that make me smile and comfy.

I shake my head, unable to think too much on it as slam the draw shut and step back, heading back into the bathroom and getting into the now warm shower.

I know I need to get myself under control, to somehow piece myself back together as much as I can.

I press my hands against the cool tiles in the shower, tip my head back and let the warm water run over my face, down my body. Washing him away, washing him off me.

I let my head fall forwards, the water running down and dripping from my face. "Stop, Summer," I say, my voice raw and husky from all the crying.

I know he's hurt me, destroyed something inside of me that I didn't know he'd helped heal. I bite my lip, force back the tears. "No more," I whisper. I won't cry anymore for him, for what he's done.