Page 3 of I Knew You
I grabbed a random T-shirt and dabbed her chin, nose, and forehead, where the blood seemed to originate from.
“Is it bad?” she asked, her voice hoarse.
I leaned closer. It was dark, but a small bit of moonlight lit the truck cabin. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and held the tiny screen up to her face.
“Bram, it’s?—”
“I swear to God, if you say, ‘it’s okay,’ I will lose it,” I stated, my patience on a hairpin trigger.
She stayed quiet as I took in the gash. It needed stitches.
“It doesn’t look too bad,” I lied. “We gotta get out of here. I don’t know what could happen since we hit the gas tank against that tree.”
I felt for the lock of her seatbelt and undid it. She moved to open her door.
“Wait! Stay still,” I insisted.
I exited the truck and ran to her side. The door was jammed. After a few hard pulls, I was able to force it open and look at Julianna up close. Nothing appeared askew. I gently helped her out of the vehicle, and she fell over onto me.
I pulled her close, taking her weight. “What’s wrong?”
“My back. It’s probably pulled muscles. I’m sure it’s whiplash. I’m fine.” Her teeth gritted, and I knew it was something more. We could reassess once we made it up the hill.
I put an arm around Julianna and led us, step by step, up the embankment. It felt like it took forever, but eventually, we came to the empty, dark road where there was no sign of the deer that had darted in front of us. I looked back down the hill we’d climbed up. The truck had cut a large swath through the saplings and underbrush. It was a random detail I’d remember for a long time.
“Should we call 911?” Julianna shook, and her words echoed in the silent darkness.
I looked toward the mangled truck and nodded. Calling for help meant welcoming the authorities. They’d find out I’d been drinking. I’d have a record. Then I’d lose my scholarship. My life was over.
But all of that paled in comparison to Julianna’s injuries.
“Yeah. Of course.” I took the phone out of my pocket where I had stashed it, and nearly fumbled it in my hands.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, but then her eyes went wide as realization dawned.
“We have to call.” I ignored her shock.
“Oh my God, Bram. I shouldn’t have asked you to drive. I shouldn’t have suggested we drive around.” Her voice took on a desperate plea. “Isn’t there someone we can get a hold of? Whit?”
“You’re injured. You need medical attention now,” I said, shaking my head. “I wouldn’t have driven if I’d thought this would happen. I shouldn’t have risked you.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. “There was no way to avoid the deer. It’s not your fault.”
I flipped the phone open, and Julianna grabbed my arm, but I wretched it away.
“I’m calling the ambulance,” I stated definitively.
“Don’t!” she cried, grabbing hold of my arm again. “You’ll lose your scholarship. I can’t live with that.” She squeezed my forearm. “What about Whit? You can’t leave him alone at college. He’s already unhinged. He’s not the same as he was. I can feel it, and?—”
“Stop,” I interrupted, my voice tight.
“Your father will murder you, Bram,” she continued, as if I hadn’t spoken. Her desperation bled into her tone. “What if he takes it out on you or your mother? Why would you risk that?”
I looked directly into her tear-filled eyes, flailing my arms out to the sides. “Because I’d do anything for you. Anything.” My breath hitched, and she froze at my passionate admission.
She opened her mouth as if she were trying to find words, but they would not come.
Without preamble, I pressed my lips to hers. I couldn’t think of any other way to show her how I felt and have her believe it. The kiss was anything but tender. When I pulled away, she was stunned, her eyes wide.
