Page 30 of Finding Fate

9

Boundaries Be Damned

“Izzy?” Tucker pulled his hand back when she flinched. He knelt in front of her. His hands fumbled nervously, wanting to help, but afraid to touch her again. “Izzy? Are you okay?”

Her tears started falling harder, relief setting in at his voice. She wanted to answer him, to tell him not to worry, but it was all she could do to breathe amongst the sobs.

He tried not to panic, but he needed to know what was wrong. “Izzy, where are you hurt?”

She just shook her head, trying to let him know he shouldn’t worry. She wasn’t crying from physical pain, but she couldn’t stop. She reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck to sob into his chest. His arms wrapped around her, still unsure as he promised she was safe.

It took a few minutes for her to calm down, and she stayed in his arms a little longer, not yet wanting to move. She felt raw and still somewhat shocked from her potentially detrimental encounter only minutes before, and Tucker felt safe. He’d saved her, but she couldn’t stay in his arms all night. Lifting her head, he relaxed his hold so she could sit back on her heels in front of him.

“Tucker, I’m so sorry,” she said as she brushed her remaining tears from her cheeks with her fingertips.

“For what? Crying on me?”

Isabel hiccupped a laugh. “No, well, yeah, for that, too, but I meant I’m sorry I didn’t believe you tonight. You were right. Everyone was right except for me. I should never have dated Wesley.”

Tucker reached out and moved a few stray strands of her hair behind her ear, making her stomach flutter. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just sorry you had to find out this way. Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. “Nothing worse than a bad fall at dance,” she tried to grin, though it felt more like a grimace. She sighed, meeting Tucker’s concerned gaze. Guilt struck her when she saw his face.

“Oh, Tucker, your jaw...” She had to stifle the urge to touch his cheek, where it swelled as she studied him, wondering where else Wesley might have hit. There was a small cut above his left eye, and she knew that would soon bruise, too. “I’m so sorry.”

“Nah, I’ll be fine. You should see the other guy,” Tucker grinned and winced. “I’m more worried about you right now. You hit the wall pretty hard.”

“I’ll be okay,” she said, getting up. “It’s just a little sore. Seriously,” she insisted at his doubtful look. “It hurt worse when Leo dropped me during that lift at dance camp last year.”

Tucker grimaced. That bruise had been ugly.

“Let’s get you some ice.” She grabbed his hand, and he pulled it back with a hiss.

“I think I bruised it,” he explained and gave her his other hand so she could pull him to his feet. “What set Wesley off anyway?” he asked as they walked to the kitchen.

“He wanted sex, and I told him no.”

“Thank God,” Tucker thought in relief, still wishing he’d gotten there sooner. He sat down on a stool at the counter while Izzy filled some baggies.

“Hey, Tuck? Weren’t you supposed to go to that party with Annie and Jet tonight?”

“Yeah, but this was more important, so Jet let me use his car.”

“To come here? I mean, I’m completely relieved that you did,” she added. “But why?”

He shrugged. “I’d messed up. And knowing what Wesley wanted…I couldn’t leave it like that.” The thought of what could have happened if he hadn’t come hit him, and he shuddered. What kind of a guy would strike a girl?

Izzy frowned as she approached, giving him the ice for his hand. He pressed his sore knuckles against it, and she held the second bag gently to his jaw, his heart rate picking up at her touch.

“I needed to say sorry,” he explained at her frown.

She raised a doubtful eyebrow at him. “You skipped the party of the summer just to come tell me sorry?”

Tucker grinned sheepishly. “Well, I couldn’t let Wesley get more of an upper hand.”

She frowned again, seeming frustrated as her cheeks began to stain pink. “I’m not just some prize, you know.”

“I know that,” Tucker replied, confused at the remark. “Hey, Izzy,” he grabbed her hand, needing her to hear him. “Whatever he said…you are a prize, but not in the way you meant just now.”

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