The Secrets We Carry

Chapter Nineteen | As Per My Previous Email

Liv

I'm pacing my room and checking my phone every few minutes. It's 7:30am and I can hear Adam getting ready in his room.

I had messaged James several times last night and again this morning but he still hasn't responded.
A million scenarios play out through my head.

"Liv, you ready?" Adam yells from the hallway.

Booting out of my room I run up to Adam who's standing at the top of the stairs waiting for me.

"Woah, You ok? You look worried." He frowns at me as I stop in front of him.

"I'll explain in the car. Let's go." Pushing past him I race down the stairs and to the front door throwing on my converse.

I start tapping my foot as Adam slips his shoes on. My heart racing causing my patience to run thin. Can't he see I'm in a hurry?

He gives me another puzzled look and I huff before turning and heading out to his car.

"So you going to tell me what's going on with you?"
He asks as we settle into our seats. I already have my seatbelt buckled and watching as Adam puts the key into the ignition.

"We need to go to the barn." I blurt out.
"What? Why?" He turns to look at me, clearly not catching on. My heart pangs as I realize I'm being a jerk to him when he has no clue why.

"We just need to go there. I have a bad feeling."

That's all I need to say and my brother turns the ignition, pulling the car out of the drive and races down the street, the opposite direction of our school.
I knew I wouldn't have to say much more for him to finally understand.

"He's here." I breathe as I see James' car when we pull down the road leading to the barn.
Adam barely put the car in park when I jump out racing toward the entrance.
I almost lose my balance running up the stairs to the second story.

My heart stops as my eyes take in the scene in front of me.

James is facing the opening curled up in a fetal position, breathing deeply.
There's gauze and bloody tissues strewn around him. A bottle of antiseptic beside them. 
As I get closer I can see a gash over his left eye and his lip is split and swollen.

I lower myself kneeling beside him and gently move some of his beautiful brown hair away from his forehead. He looks so peaceful. The hard lines of his face softened, making him look like he doesn't have a care in the world, rather than the world on his shoulders.

James stirs under my finger tips and his eyes open. He looks up at me and smiles.
His eyes are red and puffy as though he had been crying for hours.

"Hi." I barely hear the words I'm speaking. "You had me worried." He reaches for my hand taking it in his and bringing it to his bruised lips lays a gentle kiss.

"I'm sorry." His is hoarse and low from just waking up. "I had a bit of a night when I got home."

Judging by the way he looks that's an understatement.
"I understand. I knew something was wrong. I can't explain it, I just knew." His eyes hold mine as I feel a tug on my hand bringing me forward leaning into him. His lips meet with mine. Despite the cut they're soft as they press against the soft flesh of my lips.

"Ahem." The sound comes from behind me and for a moment I had forgotten Adam was with me. We pull apart and James moves his head up to look around me.

"Hi Adam." He says as he adjusts himself to sit up. Wincing as he moves his body, causing my heart to tighten. Reaching out to him I help him sit up.
Adam walks over to us and sits down beside me.