Page 67 of Fumbled Past

I look over, and a woman who looks to be in her late twenties is standing there with her arm out like she’s going to help me climb out of the truck bed.

I don’t even glance at Wyatt as I rush to her side and climb over. Thankfully, I don’t have any trouble doing so, as I think the rage that just rushed through my veins took over all control the alcohol might have had on me.

The woman wraps her arm around me and takes me back to their truck.

I hear the guy yell, “Don’t you ever try to do that ever again. When a girl says no, she means no!”

Within a few seconds, he’s back to where I am, and not that much longer after that, we hear Wyatt start up the truck and peel out of the parking spot, leaving with my purse in the front of the cab.

“Are you okay?” the guy asks.

I nod. “Yeah. Thank you for stopping him.”

“Oh, sweetie,” the woman says. “We’re just glad we heard you yell and was able to stop him.”

“Come on. Let’s get you home.” The guy starts cleaning up their stuff they had set up to watch the movie.

“Oh, no. Please. I don’t want to ruin your night. The movie’s not over yet.”

The girl laughs. “Believe me, he’s wanted to leave since it started, so don’t worry about it. He thought they were playingThe Matrixand didn’t realize it until it was too late.”

I chuckle, and it feels good to do so. Sometimes, God puts people in places for very specific reasons. He was here tonight just to help me. The thought makes me smile. I know my mom watches over me, and tonight proves it even more.

“Okay, let’s go then. I’m kind of over drive-ins,” I say, trying to make a joke.

The woman smiles. “I bet you are.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

Junior Year

When I got home much earlier than planned, I knew my dad would suspect something, but I wasn’t taking into account the fact that I was being dropped off by a different truck than what I’d left in.

He instantly had questions that I didn’t want to answer at first, but he wouldn’t drop it. When I broke down and told him everything, I’d never seen so much rage in his eyes. I had to wrap my arms around him and tell him how this nice couple came to my rescue. When I explained how I honestly felt the only reason they were there that night was because Mom had sent them to protect me, he relaxed slightly.

If I thought the night couldn’t end any worse than what had already happened, I was mistaken. No, what made the situation worse was when he said that was why he only trusted me with Aaron and Beau.

Those were the exact words I hadn’t wanted to hear.

I knew what he was trying to say, but if he only knew the stab to my heart those words actually caused.

After that revelation, I was quick to say good night and head back to my room to cry all by myself.

I cried for the love and friendship I’d lost with Aaron.

I cried for what I wondered could have been with Beau.

And I cried for myself by causing this situation with the two of them in the first place.

Now, as I lie in bed, lost at what my life has become, my phone rings. I turn to where the portable is sitting on my nightstand and wonder if I should answer it. Thankfully, my dad answers first, and I think I’m off the hook, only for my dad to knock on my door a few seconds later.

“Heather’s on the phone,” he says through the door, not opening it up—thankfully.

I don’t want him to see me all puffy-eyed. I know it hurt him to hear what happened, and I don’t want him to know just how broken I am too.

I sigh before I reach over and grab the phone, then yell, “Got it!”

I listen for my dad to hang up his end of the line before I say, “Hi,” with absolutely no emotion.

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