Page 111 of Spring Tide

Fuck, this is not going how I wanted it to go. How I needed it to go. I was supposed to enter into this conversation all calm, cool, and collected, not rip his fucking head off in the process. Taylor wouldnotbe proud of how I’m handling this right now, nor would my girlfriend.

“Wait,” I call, reaching out with one hand to stop him.

My fingertips barely graze the back of his T-shirt when he whips around and shoves me with all his strength, instantly toppling me to the ground. I land—knee-first, unable to catch my balance—on the rough pavement of the driveway.

The harsh, disturbing sound of my popping kneecap rings through the now-silent air. Mind-numbing, spine-tingling pain reverberates throughout my entire body, and I have to bite down on my tongue to keep the tears at bay.

“Shit, shit.” My brother’s panicking now, frantically scrambling toward me. “Luc, I-I’m so—”

“Don’t say another fucking word,” I manage to grit out between clenched teeth, my breath leaving me in a series of harsh pants.

My mind is reeling, spiraling out of control, creating every worst-case scenario possible. If my knee is actually broken, I might as well consider this my early fucking retirement. I pinch my eyes closed, attempting to clear my head as I reach for my phone.

“What are you doing?” Elio steps back before he can help me up, arms hanging limply by his sides. “Are you calling the cops?”

I clutch my phone to my chest. “No, E, I’m not calling thefucking—”

“Shit!” a nearby voice calls out. “Did someone say cops?”

From there, everything quickly descends into chaos. “Cops! Cops! Cops!” is repeatedly shouted around the lawn, traveling like a high-speed game of telephone throughout the remainder of the party. About thirty seconds pass before everyone starts to run, funneling out of the house in droves.

“Elio, man, what are you doing?” I glance up, watching as my brother’s friend tugs on his sleeve. “Come on!”

“Yeah, I’m-uh, I’m coming,” Elio says, sparing me one last guilt-stricken glance before darting off with the rest of them.

Now I’m stuck, lying here alone in the driveway of some kid’s house, my fucking kneecap completely popped out of place. No matter how hard I try, I can’t push myself up off the ground.

I think I might be sick.I roll onto my side, clutch my knee to my chest, and vomit out the entirety of my Thanksgiving dinner.

In an instant, my shot at the draft slips through my fingers like sand.

33

HARPER

I’mon my second helping of Stella’s homemade pumpkin pie when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out, the sight of Luca’s name instantly filling my body with warmth.

“Hey, babe!” I chirp, dashing into the other room for privacy. “I’m so glad you called. How was—”

“Harper?” Luca’s ragged voice cuts me off. “I really need your help.”

My stomach drops, an acute sense of dread washing over me. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m hurt,” he croaks out. “I can’t get myself up off the ground in order to make it back to my car. I know you’re with your friends, but I don’t want to involve my parents in this, and Taylor’s out of town.” He’s silent for a few long minutes, voice dropping to a tortured whisper, “I didn’t know who else to call.”

“No, I’m so glad you called me.” I reach for my coat, frantically slipping it over my shoulders. “What happened? Where are you?”

“I fell and hit my knee. I’m outside of some kid’s house, a friend of Elio’s.” His breathing is shallow, carefully measured. I can almost visualize him crumpled on the ground—alone and hurting—and it makes me want to burst into tears. “I can text you the address.”

I slip my shoes on, hopping on one foot as I gather up my purse. “Okay, um, you said your car is there?”

“Yeah, I parked a few blocks away.”

“Should I bring Stell?” I swallow, fear clenching in my gut. It’s an uneasy, ugly sort of feeling. A worry so deep it resonates in my bones. “She can drive my car so we don’t have to worry about coming back for yours later.”

“Oh, shit. Er, is there anyone bigger you can bring?”

“Bigger?”

---