Within The Bonds

43: Dreaming Of Mum

As we near the exit I notice Xavier and the rest of the family near it along with our guests. I immediately take cover behind Liam, embarrassed at the scene I had caused back at our table. To my utter relief and astonishment, Liam doesn't approach the rest when he senses my discomfort.

Still a few feet away from the rest, yet in perfectly hearing range, I try to make sense of the on-going conversation between our dad, Xavier, and our guests. While doing so I peek out from behind Liam's back, but soon regret it when I lock eyes with a certain green-eyed guy.

Shocked when I see a flash of worry in his eyes as they gaze into my own, I shortly dismiss the thought assuming that I must have misjudged it because when I try to find it again, all I get is an impassive look.

'Why would a stranger be worried about me anyway?'

"We can pick up where we left off today tomorrow over lunch," Xavier says monotonously yet I can still hear the authority in his tone.

"Of course," the man in the navy-blue suit replies with a curt nod.

They proceed with shaking each other's hands while we stay rooted in our spot until the guests leave. As they do so I catch the soft smile the green-eyed boy sends my way. I try to return the gesture but fail miserably as my mind is still clouded with worry and the images of those daunting texts.

Following soon after we too get off and I stayed glued to Liam's side. Making myself comfortable in the backseat with Jason driving and Liam in shotgun, we let the soft humming from the radio fill the silence.

Glancing down at my hand I notice the white cloth slowly turning red, which makes me wonder, 'how long was I holding that knife?' But one thing I knew for sure is that I would not be able to play in the upcoming game.

"Here wrap this around it and maintain some pressure, it should reduce the bleeding." I look up at Liam and find him holding out a ball of gauze towards me.

I nod and do as I'm instructed without another word. "Do you think I'll need stitches?" I mumble under my breath, my eyes cast down looking at the gauze in my hand.

"I will decide that once we get back and I get a better look at it," Liam answers, and I nod my head in understanding, still not looking up at him.

"What happened back there?" I hear Jason ask, speaking for the first time during the entire ride.

"Nothing," I grumble almost inaudibly.

"You're lying," he states simply.

"I'm not!" I exclaim, my tone noticeably loud.

"Change in your breathing pattern, the look of guilt in your eyes, the sudden change in your posture, and a reply that was too quick, all are signs of lying," Jason explains calmly.

"And not to mention, the way you cut your hand," Liam adds which makes me go dead still.

"How can you know if my breathing or posture has changed? You're driving," I point out in a rush, trying to slow down not to look suspicious.

"That's for me to know and for you to never find out. Now coming back to the topic, what happened back there, and don't even think of lying again," Jason says with a firm edge to his tone which makes me gulp.

Feeling trapped in the situation, I just lean back and rest my head on the headrest of the seat. Closing my eyes, I block the tears from spilling, as I think of a way out of this situation.

"Amor try and understand, we are just worried about you, and if you don't tell us how can we help you?" Jason coaxes, his eyes still glued to the road as I fiddle with my figures careful of my injured hand.