Imaginary Boyfriend

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

                My heart thumped so hard against my chest that I swore I could hear it beating just as much as I could feel it. I parked my car into the school and opened the door with sweaty hands.

            He thinks Rhys did something to you, Sarah’s voice played in my mind.

            And then I saw them.

            Rhys’ face was bruised and his shirt was stained red. His nostrils were flared as he dodged a punch.

            I opened my mouth to shout but when my gaze fixed on Sam, my voice left me. He was dressed in the typical suit that he wore to work, but it was wrinkled, as if he had slept in it. Those warm chocolate brown eyes that I had fallen in love with were different. They were darker.

            As Rhys dodged the punch, he grabbed Sam’s arm and used it to pull him back then forward again. The man I loved stumbled back and before he could regain his balance, Rhys kicked him hard in his right shin, causing him to fall.

            I watched Sam curl up into a ball in the floor and suddenly I could speak.

            “Stop it!” I yelled, running over to them.

            Both their heads snapped up.

            “What the hell were you thinking?” I reached down and grabbed Sam’s elbows.

            He was the same, yet so different. I wanted the care-free, bold idiot that had an unhealthy obsession with Doctor Who. I didn’t want this Sam… this Sam who goes around beating people up.

            “Kat,” he said in awe and looked at me like I had grown wings. His eyes raked every inch of my body, taking me in, his eyes wide.

            I wanted to touch him but forced my arms to stay by their sides

            “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” he asked frantically.

            I almost laughed. “Don’t you think I should be asking you that?”

            His eyebrows rose slightly and I swear he almost smiled, but he didn’t.

            “I’m fine.”

            I nodded and helped him to his feet. He leaned his body onto mine and I wobbled trying to hold his weight. I turned my head towards Rhys.

            “Are you alright?” I asked.

            “Not really,” he answered honestly.

            “Good.” I looked back and forth between them, before sighing. “What were you thinking? You can’t go around, talking with your fists. And you did it right outside the school as well! You’re like two immature boys, not men.”

            Rhys jabbed a finger in Sam’s direction. “He came looking for a fight, not me.”

            “You could have walked away!”

            “He said I hit you!”

            I gently pushed Sam’s arm off my shoulder and took a step back so I could look at his face.

            “You should have talked to me, not started a fight.”

            “I know.” He raked a hand through his dark curls. “I’m sorry but please just answer me. Did he hit you when he came to the apartment? I need to know, Kat, it’s killing me.”

            I glanced at Rhys guiltily. Technically, the answer was no, because he really didn’t. However, he was pretty violent towards me half an hour ago.

            Sam read my expression. “He did.”

            “No,” I said and grabbed his hands. “Let me take you home, please.”

            “There is something you aren’t telling me.”

            I could feel Rhys’ gaze burned a hole in my back as I spoke. “I will explain but not here, not now.” He tried to pull out of my grasp and I pleaded with my eyes.

            He sighed. “Fine, but he is coming.”

            I froze. “What? Why?”

            “He may not have hit you, but he has done something. I can tell by the look on your face and I want him there when you tell me, so I can—”

            “Promise me you will not hit him,” I interrupted sternly.

            “I—”

            “I don’t like you like that,” I admitted. “I want my sweet, innocent Sam back. You have never had a violent streak and this is not you.”

            “I am sorry,” he whispered and leaned forward. I closed my eyes when I felt his lips press against my forehead. His scent almost brought me to my knees. My love for him had definitely not faded with time, but he needed to stop being like this, because he was turning into something bad.

            It was almost amusing how alike Rhys and Sam were at the moment. Before, they were polar opposites. Sam didn’t care about consequences and was so upbeat, whereas Rhys was so orderly and neat and always careful. But now… now they were practically the same person. Both were broken and hurt.

            Sam, I realised, would easily come back from this. He had me and he wasn’t far gone. Rhys, on the other hand, had had much more to deal with and, although I was definitely going to help him, he was more alone than ever.

            “Come.” I turned and walked towards my car. Sam grabbed my hand and walked beside me, while Rhys lagged behind.

            “Rhys, you can ride in my car. Sam, you drive your car. We’ll meet at our… my apartment.”

            A pained expression crossed Sam’s features, and I almost expected him to disagree, but he walked to his own car without another word.

            The drive to my apartment was long and awkward. Rhys stared out of the window the whole time and both of us were silent.

            There was a heavy weight on my chest each time I glanced at him. I desperately wanted to help him, but I just didn’t know how to. Something told me that a simple talk was not going to fix this, but it was a start and I had to try. I owed this to him. He has helped me in so many ways, has always been there for me, and now it was time to return the favour.

Hello! :) Hope you liked the chapter. If you couldn't already tell, it is coming to an end pretty soon, which is crazy because I have been writing it for so long! I'm not sure how many chapters are left, probably just a couple.

Anyways, how are you all? Are you enjoying the weather? I'm not sure what it's like in other countries, but it's hot in England!! Which is really strange because it's autumn haha, but yeah. It feels like summer, but I have a cold :( 

Enough of my ranting now. Please click the vote button and leave a comment! I love reading them! x