Stolen Moments

James

I woke from a dead sleep. The shrill ring of my phone made me sit up straight. Who would call at this hour? It can’t be the hospital; Dr Stone is on call tonight. I rolled my shoulders and stretched across the bed to grab my cell from the nightstand. The caller id read UNKNOWN. I thought this can’t be good as I answered the phone, unsure of what could be on the other end.

“This is Dr. Wilson.” My voice was more clipped than I intended, but it was hard to sound cheerful at three a.m.

“James?” The smallest voice was on the other end of the phone.

“Liv? Livie?” Why was my sister’s best friend calling me at three a.m.?

“James, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know who else to call. Beth is out of town and I’m um... I need your help.”

Hearing her voice, I was already getting out of bed and tugging on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. “Where are you? I’m on my way.” My kid sister’s friend had been a part of my life since she was born, and she always knew she could count on me if she was in trouble. Livie was nineteen, and still in her party phase. I hated it, but we all go through that phase, don’t we?

“I’m at the lake, James. You know, the parking area behind the dam.”

That was all I need to hear. I immediately started moving faster. If she was there, she was with a guy and things went badly. “Are you hurt? What happened?” My voice came out angry, but I hoped she knew it wasn’t towards her. My thoughts went back to the night I got the same call from Beth, and I prayed it wasn’t a repeat of that night.

“I’m not hurt, James. Just embarrassed. And need to not be here anymore.” Her voice cracked at the last words.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Don’t move.”

Livie

I hated calling him for help. He always looks at me like a kid sister, a mess who needs to get it together. I’m trying to do better, but I know he can’t see that. I’d heard rumours, but I wanted to believe that Carter was a good guy, not a total dick.

We had a great time at dinner, went to the bonfire for a little while, and then he wanted to go for a drive. My parents insisted I spent time with him, so I agreed. I’m sure it’s because my father wants to get into business with his father, but regardless, I wanted to give him a fair chance. I had no idea how wrong I was.

The car was barely in the park before he was trying to get my clothes off, and when I said no, he had the nerve to get pissed.

“Since when do you say no?” He scoffed, still pawing at me. We had a few drinks at the bonfire and his breath was hot and reeked of cheap beer.

“I know what people say, but it’s not true. I don’t hop into bed with every guy I cross. Don’t be a dick.” I want to tell him to take me home, but I can’t stand the idea of facing my parents.

The more time I can spend away from that place, the better. My dad thinks Carter is a local hero, so I know I’m going to take the blame for this date going badly.

“Come on, baby. You know we can have a good time.” Leaning into me again, trying to kiss my neck, I pushed him back and told him to knock it off, again.

“I’m not going to have sex with you, so stop it now. If that’s a problem, then we can leave.”

“Why are you being such a cock tease? I never would have agreed to this if I knew you were a prude! I’m going back to the bonfire. Find your own way home.”

“Carter, are you kidding me?” My aggravation quickly turned to anger. “Carter, we’re miles from home. You cannot leave me out here.”

“Show me a good time, or take a hike.” Before I could fully process what he was saying, he leaned over to open my door and practically shoved me out. My shock kept me paralyzed. I stood there and watched him drive away, leaving me miles out of town. Trying to consider my options, if I went back to the bonfire, I’d have to deal with his jackass comments all night.

Calling my parents was not an option. Dad would never believe me about Carter. As the lights on his truck fade out of view, I panicked. Grabbing my phone from my bag, I started to call Beth before remembering she was out of town this weekend. So that leaves James. He sounded so angry on the phone. I hope his anger is directed at Carter and not at me.

James

I got to the lake as quickly as possible. Thankfully, this time of night there isn’t much traffic. I could see the bonfire on the other side of the lake, and I was instantly grateful she called me instead of walking to the other side of the lake. I know I shouldn’t feel that way. She’s my kid's sister’s best friend, but I have always been so protective of her.

I pulled up and spotted her immediately. I jumped out of the car, asking “Are you sure you’re ok?” I looked her over to make sure she didn’t have any injuries, before opening the passenger-side door for her. As she climbed in, it was hard to ignore how beautiful she looked.

Her cheeks were flushed, and she was wearing a yellow sundress that hung on her curves in all the right ways. “I’m ok, James. Really. It was Carter. He’s such an ass. We had a few drinks at the bonfire, and he doesn’t seem to understand the word no.”

“Carter? Carter Smith? He’s in town?” The last I heard, he was across the country attending university. “Did he do something to you? Hurt you?” I could feel my anger rising, remembering what Beth went through a few years ago.

“Yeah. He’s in town for the summer and my parents think he’s a saint, so they insisted I let him take me out tonight. We were having a good time, then he basically said I had to fuck him or walk home. I heard rumours, but I know how people twist the truth, so I went against my better instincts and agreed to go out with him.”

Her frustration was clear in her voice, but it quickly turned to panic. “Shit! James, you can’t take me home! My father will accuse me of being rude to Carter on purpose, just to hurt him!”

“What are you talking about? Carter attacked you! I should hunt him down and kick his ass! Nick can’t say that’s on you!” Even as I said the words, I knew I was wrong. Her dad was a total dick and always treated Liv like a second-class citizen. Yeah, she made mistakes, but all kids do. I looked over at her as we turned off the lake road and headed towards town.

The tears threatening to spill down her cheeks worsened the fear in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, Liv. You can sleep in my guest room tonight.” I reached over to grab her hand and reassure her she was safe with me. My heart immediately skipped a beat, and I forced myself to remember I’m over ten years older than her and totally off limits