Free The Truth She Knew by J.A. Owenby

I said as I rubbed my head.
    “ I think it’s been long enough that you’re okay, but let’s get you to Joss’s for now.”
    “ I don’t understand, Walker. You shouldn’t want anything to do with me.”
    He touched my cheek and wiped away the remnants of my tears.
    “ You’re braver and stronger than you’ll ever realize, Lacey. Please just trust me when I say there’s nothing wrong with you. You aren’t possessed. Don’t push me away anymore. Let me help you.”
    The next several moments were filled with complete silence as he waited for my response. I wanted to trust him. And what if he was right? What if there wasn’t anything wrong with me? Did I dare reach out for the one piece of hope that anyone had ever extended to me? Did I dare trust him and what he said? I wanted to, and I wanted him.
    I shuddered as I realized I’d just shared my darkest secret with him. I’d kept it so buried that I’d wondered if I even held the key to unlock it any longer. I hadn’t told Emma, Joss, or anyone, ever. I was terrified of losing the few people in my life that I allowed in.
    “ You don’t need to say anything else, Lacey. You’ve been through enough tonight, but remember what I said.”
    He leaned down, brushed his lips against mine, and pulled back. I wrapped my arms around his neck and drew him back to me. He gently kissed me and ran his fingers through my hair. My mouth opened and invited him in, my tongue tentatively touching his. Our kiss deepened, and his arms enveloped me in a warm cocoon as I melted into him.
    “ You crazy kids break it up!” someone yelled from across the parking lot.
    “ Crap,” I said as I broke the kiss, embarrassed. Walker laughed as he dug my keys out of his pocket and unlocked the passenger door to let me in.

Chapter 14
    “ Where does Joss live?”
    I gave him directions and as he drove he occasionally planted kisses on the back of my hand and smiled. I wondered if he thought I might run off again or do something crazy. I wanted to trust him, but there was a part of me that expected him to call me tomorrow and break things off. Who could blame him? I’d just opened a whole can of crazy.
    He pulled into Joss’s driveway, turned off the car, and held onto my keys. “There’s been a small change of plans—don’t move,” he said and kissed me before he got out of the car.
    Puzzled, I watched him knock on Joss’s door. Joss opened it, peered around him to make sure I was in the car, and then let him in. I’m sure it was only for a few minutes, but I wondered what in the world they could be talking about for so long. I was left alone with no radio, only my thoughts.
    I stifled a yawn as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.
    “ Hey sleepyhead, wake your ass up,” Joss suddenly said through the car window.
    I smiled and opened the door. “Sorry, I didn’t realize how tired I was,” I said and reached to unbuckle my seatbelt.
    “ Nope, keep it buckled. Walker is going to take care of you tonight. You’re going to stay at his house okay?”
    “ What? Joss, no!”
    “ Hey, it’s alright, I’ll take care of your mom. It’s almost midnight so she won’t call tonight anyway. You focus on getting some sleep and feeling better. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, alright?” Her tone shifted from playful to gentle and motherly. Walker had told her something. I glanced at him as he got back into the car.
    “ I seriously doubt his mom is going to let me stay the night,” I said, sighing.
    “ He already called her from my house, and she’s expecting you both. Now hush, and go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Everything will be okay, I promise.” She reached in and gave me a hug.
    “ You promise things will be okay, Joss?” I struggled to push down the panic in my chest.
    “ I promise. I’ve never lied to you, right?”
    “ No, never.”
    She smiled as she closed my car door.
    Walker started the car and we pulled out of the driveway.
    “ I think I’m mad at you,