Afflicted

I made it to my front door and pulled my key from my pocket on autopilot. Ryan stayed close with his hand on the small of my back and his breath warming my neck.

I fumbled the lock and had to turn the key twice before the door finally swung open. Before I took another step, I glanced over my shoulder.

Lincoln was watching me, a wrench resting against his bicep as he folded his arms. "Night Katy," he called and blood rushed to my face.

I stepped inside and turned back to block Ryan's way before he could follow. "See you tomorrow," I said as I started to close the door.

Ryan's face dropped and he ran a hand through his sandy hair. "I thought I could come-"

"Goodnight." I smiled brightly and shut the door in his face before he could finish his sentence.

I leant against the heavy wood and took a deep breath as I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I had no idea if Lincoln was angry at me for what I'd done and I wanted more than anything to go back outside and tell him that I was sorry. It had haunted me for six years and I could finally tell him exactly how I felt, yet suddenly, opening that door seemed like the most difficult thing in the world.

I stood still for long enough that my heart finally slowed again then took a deep breath. I was probably a coward but it was too late now, going back outside would just be weird.

I headed into the kitchen to grab myself something to eat. I sighed as I opened the fridge and found it empty. Mom had mentioned something about not getting any groceries because of a stock problem at the store. I headed to the cupboard to find one big bag of chips left and snagged it.

Reese's voice reached me from outside and I dashed to the stairs, bringing my bag of chips with me as I hurried into my room.

I locked my door just as I heard the front door slam and laughed as I heard him cursing the lack of food in the kitchen. I shrugged out of Ryan's jacket and let it fall to the floor, hoping I'd remember it in the morning. I flicked my light on and moved to close my curtains.

I couldn't help but look over at Lincoln's truck.

I flinched as I spotted him staring up at me. His dark hair looked black in the moonlight and the street lamp cast shadows over his features. I couldn't tell if he was smiling or not.

I gave him a quick wave and threw the curtains closed before hurrying away from the window. My heart started pounding again and I lay down on my bed, wondering what the hell I'd say to Lincoln if he was still there in the morning.

Chapter Five

Lincoln

I watched in amusement as Katy shut the door in the Quarterback’s face. He raised a fist to knock, hesitated, then dropped it again, turning away.

He caught my eye and I smirked at him as he flushed red.

He stomped down the drive towards me, pulling his collar up as he passed, avoiding my gaze. I couldn't quite disguise my snort of laughter and he upped his pace, making a clear effort to put some distance between us. He headed away down the street and I turned back to the house next door.

I leant back against the hood of my truck, twisting the wrench between my fingers and I let the warm feeling from the house’s windows seep into my bones.

I'd spent so long trying to forget my childhood home and the man who'd made it hell for me that I'd almost forgotten the Lewises too. Katy and her family had been the one bright spark in my past. Their door was always open for me, offering food, comfort and even a little of something I'd never gotten at home: love. Family. They had made me feel welcome and worthwhile when my own parents hadn't.

Shame rolled through me as I realised I'd turned my back on them just as thoroughly as I had on my parents. It wasn't a choice I'd even realised I'd made. But when I finally got away from this place I’d had to take what I was offered with both hands.

A fresh start. A new life. It was a trade I'd willingly made and the best choice I'd ever been faced with. But I shouldn't have left everything behind so easily.

Voices sounded behind me but I stayed where I was, shielded from view of the road by the open hood of my truck.

“If Kaitlyn wasn't always so lame we could have had everyone round tonight,” Reese complained as he stomped up the drive to his house. His voice was deeper than I remembered but I recognised it all the same. I smiled as I saw him, tempted to call out and greet him but something held me back.

“Maybe she was just upset about Devlin,” his friend replied, following him.

“Yeah right. That would require her to care about anyone other than herself.” Reese pulled the front door open and the two of them headed inside.

A smile tugged at my lips; some things never changed. It sounded like Katy and Reese still fough

t like cat and dog. My heart warmed a little at the thought. Maybe something good could come out of this visit after all. If I could reconnect with them then it would be worth the discomfort my childhood home offered.

A light flicked on upstairs and my gaze was drawn to Katy’s window. I'd thrown pebbles at it enough times to know which was hers. I'd even climbed in and out of it once or twice before her dad had taken down the trellis to stop us from breaking our necks. Their house was our playground, freedom in its sweetest form. I hadn't realised how much I'd missed it.