Best Kept Secret (Best Kept #1)

Chapter 13: The Boy With The Blue Heart

Song: Last Hope (Live) by Paramore

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Benji surrounded me when I woke up. His arms encased me close against his chest, his lips dangerously close to my ear, and his steady breathing sweeping over the side of my face. A dull ache moved through me from shifting slightly. Benji started to stir next to me and then we both settled. He buried his face in my hair and tightened his hold around me.

Sudden realization made me eyes snap open and my heart to speed up. I scurried out of Benji's arms and looked out the window of his truck. The sun was just starting to rise in the sky. Panic enveloped me. "Shit!" I went for the handle of Benji's truck, but the doors were locked.

I fumbled with the lock for a few seconds and then Benji's hand was in front of me, unlocking the door. I breathed with relief and turned to Benji. "Thank you and sorry. I'll call you tonight."

He leaned back. "Sorry for not waking you. I should've known better—"

"It's fine. I'll be fine. I'll think of something if my mom is awake." She most likely is, so I really need to think of something. "Bye, Benji."

I was out of the car before he could reply. After getting steady on my feet, I took off running in the direction of my house. Even though I was panicking to the point of an anxiety attack, I didn't regret falling asleep with Benji last night. His arms were a protective warmth and I found myself missing it as I jogged up my driveway. My hand stopped on the handle of the front door and I squeezed my eyes shut. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before opening them again. Yep, this is going to be easy. My mom is going to freak.

Timidly, I pushed the door open and quietly stepped inside. I closed the door and—"She's not in her room!" My mom's panicked voice rang out. "And she doesn't have her phone! Where could she be?"

"Amy—"

"Don't patronize me," She grounded towards my dad.

My stomach dropped into the pit of my stomach, but I steadied my breathing long enough to walk into the kitchen. My dad was the first to see me, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Mom," I said softly.

She whirled around to face me, her eyes flaring with anger for a second before they softened. She ran to me, pulling me into her arms without a second thought. "Where the hell were you, Lucy?"

"I just went for a walk," I lied. "I forgot my phone, I'm sorry."

She only squeezed me tighter. "Don't ever do that again. At least leave a note or something. You scared me to death." Her voice started to shake at the end. "I can't lose you too."

My eyes burned and I hugged my mom back just as tight. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

She didn't let go as she took in a breath.

"You're not going to lose me, mom. And you didn't lose Zoe either."

Neither one of us said anything. I just let her hold me and then she started to sniffle.

"Mom," I said softly. "Don't cry, I'm sorry."

"I can't lose you," she repeated.

I didn't reply.

She didn't say anything else after that.

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