The Secrets We Carry

Chapter Seven | Overcome With Emotion

Liv

"Hey Liv!"

I turn around to see Josh running up to me. I let out a frustrated sigh. I was so close to leaving, it's as though something doesn't want me to go home.

"Sorry Josh, I'm just heading out. I really want to get home." I say to him letting him hear the irritation in my voice.

"We'll I'm glad I caught you. I have Adam's assignments from today. He asked that I give them to you."

"Oh thanks." I grab the papers from him and take my bag off my shoulder to put them in.

"Can I talk to you? In private?"

"Honestly I just want to get home." I give Josh a look that pleads with him to let me leave.

"How you getting home? I know Ashley has debate after school today."

Ignoring the fact that he knew Ashley's schedule I answer him. "I was just going to take one of the cabs out front."

"I'll drive you."

I don't even take a moment to think about it as I nod my head. "Ok, thank you."

I follow Josh out to his car, opening the door and getting in when he unlocks it.
He gets in at the same time and wastes no time bringing the engine to life.

We pull out of the school and the silence only lasts a moment before Josh breaks it.

"Are you ok? How's Adam?"

"Ya, I'm good and he's ok too, I think." I can see Josh look over at me from the corner of my eye.

"Well it must have been bad for him to miss school."

"My dad got him in the face and you know Adam doesn't want people seeing that. Plus my dad would also lose it if he knew he came to school with a bruise on his face and nothing to blame it on."

"No, I know. I'm just worried the last year he's gotten more vicious with him and I'm scared he might kill him."

I look down at my hands as the same fear grips me.

"You do know you guys aren't alone. You have me and Ashley. You can stay at her place or mine. You don't have to be there every night."

I nod my head in acknowledgment. "I know. He's not always bad. He has his good days."

"What's with you two always making excuses for him. Good days don't give him a free pass to have violent outbursts."

I shrink back as his voice escalates.
Seeing my reaction Josh takes a breath.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to yell."

I turn my head to look at him.

"It's ok."

"He's just gotten worse. It makes me mad to know he hurts Adam."

My eyes return to my lap.

"Wait, did he hurt you yesterday?"

I stay quiet and don't move. As if I could melt into the seat if I stayed very still.

"Where?" The anger has returned in his tone.

"He just grabbed me. It left a bruise on my arm."

He reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze.

"It's never just. I'm sorry that happened."

"Thanks."

The last few minutes of the drive are in silence and I'm grateful for it.

Pulling up to the house my dads car isn't in the driveway. The knot in my stomach immediately releasing.
Josh turns off the car and I look over at him as I unbuckle my belt.