Juliet's Moon
Chapter Eleven "Accident"
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!
Saturday, November 28th
"And that is Lost Canyon." I pointed out to Molly and Tristan as we rode with Sam and Brynna on War Drum Flats in the fall afternoon sun.
"Lost Canyon...that sounds so...mysterious." Molly said with a smile as she patted Sweetheart. I had made sure she was on one of the safest horses that Riverbend had. We couldn't take any chances with her precious cargo in her belly. She really shouldn't be riding but she insisted...
Brynna smiled. "It does. There are a lot of legends around here about the canyons and land surrounding the ranches."
"You could always ask Mrs. Ely. She's a history teacher and will tell you anything you want to know. She loves talking about history." Sam told Molly. I reined in Moon next to Molly as we turned the horses around.
"I might have to do that Sam, thanks." My thoughts drifted off as I thought about Quinn and Nate. One would be ecstatic today, one would be heartbroken. I still hadn't figured out how to tell Nate. I wasn't good at this, I already knew it would hurt him and that was killing me. I did like Nate and he was a good friend but Pepper was right. I would just be hurting him by staying with him...And Quinn was right too. Why be with people we really didn't want to be with? We both loved each other and wanted to try to see how we'd do in a relationship.
"Juliet?" Tristan's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked at him.
"Sorry, I was in my thoughts. What's up?" Tristan pointed to a clump of sagebrush that was maybe two feet high and grinned at me. I knew what that meant. I pulled Moon away from the others and we cantered towards it. Moon sailed over the sagebrush and tossed his head, wanting more. I turned him around and went over it again, grinning as we did. Okay, maybe I had missed jumping. I would just have to go over Ryan's to jump when I could.
"Beautiful!" Tristan smiled at me. "You guys are doing great. There's a few shows coming up in the next two weeks. Think of entering them please. I'll leave you the information on them and I can fly back out right before the shows."
"I'll think about it." I told him honestly. I would probably enter them, it could be fun.
After we got back to Riverbend, I un-tacked Moon and put him back in his pasture. Sam did the same with Ace and I pulled her back as the adults headed towards the house. "What is it?" Sam asked once we were alone.
I revealed what had happened last night with Quinn. Sam's eyes widened. "So you're gonna break up with Nate?"
I nodded. "I just don't know how to do it."
"You just have to be truthful with him. You don't have true feelings for him and it wouldn't be fair to keep going together." Sam advised me.
"I know. I just hate the thought of hurting him. He's such a good guy." Speaking of Nate...I watched with a bit of panic as he pulled into the ranch yard. "Well I guess here it goes."
Nate smiled at me as I walked towards him. "Hey Juliet, I have a surprise for you."
"Ah Nate-"
"Nope. Go get dressed in something comfortable. You can't back out of this surprise and I've already made sure it's okay with Brynna and Wyatt." Okay well I guess I could just break up with him afterwards or talk to him when we get wherever we're going so I shrugged and ran inside to change. I put on a pair of comfy jeans, a long sleeved black t-shirt under a sweatshirt and my new pair of cowboy boots that Sam and Quinn had insisted I buy.
I ran downstairs and saw Grace, Tristan, Molly and Brynna at the table. "Nate said we're going somewhere and he's already cleared it with you...?"
"He did. Have fun." Brynna smiled at me over her cup of coffee. "Make sure you have your phone." I patted my pocket and she nodded.
"I guess I'll see you all later then.." I went back to Nate, who held the door open for me and I climbed into his truck. "So you won't tell me where we're going?"
"Nope." Nate grinned at me. "But you'll love it, don't worry." We pulled out of Riverbend and turned left..Okay so we weren't going into Darton or Alkali. When he passed Three Ponies Ranch, I was really confused as to where we were going. He was heading towards Reno but why were we going all this way?
"So how was your ride today?" Nate asked as we drove. I smiled.
"It was good. Molly and Tristan had fun. Moon and I jumped a bit." I thought of the wonderful sunny ride. "It was a little cold of course but it is such a nice day."
"It is. Although it was pretty cold when we rode out this morning with Dad." Nate grimaced and I felt sympathy for him. Overnight and in the early mornings here in Nevada, it was freezing!
"That must have sucked." I said sympathetically. Nate shrugged.
"All part of living on a ranch." He chuckled. "I'm sure you've had some cold mornings back at home."
"I did." I agreed. "But I would be in a warm barn feeding horses or something along those lines. Not out on the range checking cattle."
"Who knows, one day Wyatt might just make you go out with him and the boys." Nate teased and I felt my heart ache. This would be so, so hard.
I scoffed to try to cover up my distress. "I sure hope not. Isn't that what he has Sam for?"
Nate laughed at me and I looked in amazement as we passed the Reno exit. So we're not going to Reno either. Where the heck were we going? I felt my phone vibrate and saw it was a text from Quinn.
To: Juliet
From: Quinn
I did it. I broke up with Tricia, I am all yours 3
I smiled at the screen. He was really serious about all this.
To: Quinn
From: Juliet
I'm glad. I can't wait to see you.
"That Quinn?" Nate said warily. I nodded.
"Yeah, he's just texting me about a problem with him and Tricia." I rolled my eyes not wanting Nate to be suspicious. Quinn had told me he just went straight to bed last night when he got home, not saying a word to Nate.
"You mean they're actually having an argument? Would the perfect princess allow that?" I couldn't help but laugh at Nate. It was true, Quinn had allowed Tricia to get whatever she wanted in these few weeks.
"Apparently." I was still laughing as Quinn texted me again.
To: Juliet
From: Quinn
Yep :) So where are you? Have you told Nate? Can I stop by?
I mentally groaned. He was going to kill me.
To: Quinn
From: Juliet
Well...about that. Nate came to Riverbend saying he had a surprise for me so I'm with him at the moment. I'm going to talk to him when we get where we're going. I have no clue where we're going though because we just passed Reno. Don't kill me.
He texted back immediately.
To: Juliet
From: Quinn
I hope you're not too long. I miss you and I can't wait for you to be MINE.
I smiled at his text. I sent him one back telling him I missed him too. I really wished I knew where we were going.
A few hours later, we pulled off on an exit. Elko? What was in Elko? Nate pulled into the parking lot of a sports arena that the college team played in. Nate grabbed my hand once we were out of the car and lead me towards the entrance. I could see a line of people standing near the entrance and I looked up towards the board that would tell me what was going on here.
Miranda Lambert and Justin Moore. I turned to gape at Nate in happy surprise. "You have tickets?!" I had been talking about how I wanted to go see Miranda Lambert in concert badly and Nate must have been listening.
"Yep, I originally planned to take you to this anyways after we went on our first date but you kept talking about how badly you wanted to see her and so I made sure to buy tickets." I hugged him, so excited and Nate gave me a squeeze. We got inside and Nate bought me a t-shirt. A Miranda Lambert t-shirt that had the lyrics to "House That Built Me" on them. He got a t-shirt for himself also.
After getting drinks and a chicken tenders basket to share, we made our way to our seats. We were ten rows back but I loved it. We were pretty close! "Nate I can't even imagine what you've spent to take me to this concert."
"Don't worry about it Juliet, I wanted to do this for you and seeing your face light up when you realized what was going on. It was worth it." Nate told me as he popped a french fry in his mouth. Oh Nate...if you only knew.
"So I figure the concert will end late, and it's about a three hour drive back..will you be okay to drive back?" I asked as I pulled apart a chicken tender.
"Well about that...we're not driving back tonight." Nate said with a slight blush. I stopped what I was doing and stared at him. "My brother Seth lives in Elko and he agreed that we could stay there until tomorrow morning. My parents and the Forsters agreed to it since Seth will be there to "babysit" us."
"Oh." The shock was running strongly through me. "I wish I would have known, I don't have any other clothes."
Nate smiled understandingly. "Don't worry, I brought an extra pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt of mine for you to wear tonight."
"Is there a bathroom in here?" Nate pointed it out for me and I told him I'd be right back. I half ran to the bathroom in a panic. Staying overnight in Elko with Nate? What was Quinn going to think?
…...
Quinn POV
I smiled and hit talk as I saw Juliet calling me. "Hey sweetheart."
"Quinn, I'm in Elko right now." Her voice came through, sounding a bit panicked.
"Elko? What are you doing in Elko?" I went outside to get some more privacy and to make sure no one heard our conversation.
"Nate brought me to a Miranda Lambert concert." Damn him, she had been talking about it for weeks though...
"And that's bad?"
"We're staying in Elko overnight in your brother Seth's apartment apparently." My stomach dropped. Juliet and Nate staying together overnight? I mean I knew nothing would happen but how would she break up with him now? "You know nothing will happen right? I love you.
"I know, I trust you. I just miss you and wish you were coming home tonight." I sighed.
"Me too but we'll get through it, I'll talk to him and then when I come back, we'll be together."
"I love you." I said softly. I could hear her relieved sigh.
"I love you too. I have to get back out there before the show starts. I'll text you when it's over." She hung up and I paced outside. How could my parents allow this? How did Wyatt and Brynna allow this? I hoped she waited til they got back to tell him. Nate would be hurt and pissed when she did so it'd be awkward if they were staying at Seth's tonight and on the ride back.
…...
Juliet POV
I was smiling along with Nate as we walked out of the concert together. "That was great."
"It was." Nate agreed as he led me through the crowd to the truck. It took us a half an hour to get out of the crowded parking lot and headed towards Seth's. I texted Quinn to let him know we were out of the concert and heading towards Seth's.
To: Juliet
From: Quinn
How was it? I hope it was good. And please tell me you're waiting til you both get home tomorrow to break up with him.
To: Quinn
From: Juliet
Of course I'm waiting til tomorrow! I can't tell him right now. He's SO happy. I feel so bad for what it's going to do to him :(
I put my phone back in my pocket and leaned against the window drowsily. It was almost midnight and I was tired. I'm sure Nate was too so I couldn't wait to get to Seth's.
Nate pulled in behind a nice looking Toyota SUV and cut off the engine. We were on the street by a hardware store. "Seth lives above the store." Nate told me as we unbuckled our seat belts. "Do you mind if I use your phone to call my parents? They wanted me to call no matter what time it was to let them know we made it to Seth's."
"Sure." I handed him my phone without thinking. "I'm just gonna stretch my legs real quick while you call." I had just barely stepped out of the car when Nate's voice called me back.
"Juliet!" Nate almost shouted and I got back into the car. He was staring at my phone and gripping it tightly.
"Nate, what's wrong?" He tossed the phone at me and started the truck. I shut the door quickly. "Nate! What are you doing? We're supposed to be staying here tonight!" I put my seat belt on as he pulled back onto the road.
"Look at your phone!" He almost snarled. I picked up my phone and saw Quinn's replying text message. Oh no, oh no...
To: Juliet
From: Quinn
I know Sweetheart but just think of how much more hurt he'd be if you stayed with him knowing that you don't love him, you love me. He'd be devastated. There's no worse feeling in the world than being with someone who wants to be with someone else. Especially after we shared that kiss last night? You know it's the right thing to do.
Nate had saw it. He knew what was going on now. "Nate—I, I'm sorry."
"How long has this been going on?" Nate asked as we hit the highway. I took a deep breath.
"How long has what been going on?"
"You've been seeing him behind my back!" Nate shouted, hitting the steering wheel with his hand. I shook my head.
"No Nate I haven't!" I told him. "I promise you I haven't. Last night he came over to talk to me about your and his talk about me last night. Then he kissed me and told me that he loved me. We agreed it wasn't fair to continue our relationships with you and Tricia. So I was going to tell you today but then you came to Riverbend and took me here. I figured I'd tell you later, talk with you about it."
"Why should I believe anything you've said to me? You cheated on me! With my own brother!" Nate was still shouting and I cringed back into the door. Tears started streaking down my face.
"Nate I didn't want it to be like this! He kissed me and I slapped him! I told we couldn't do it because I was with you. Please Nate, you have to believe me. I never wanted to hurt you." My voice broke into a sob at the end. I looked towards the speedometer and saw he was going over the speed limit by at least fifteen miles per hour. "Nate please slow down. Why don't you pull over the car and we can talk about it? Or stop at a hotel for the night? I can pay for us both to get rooms."
"NO! I'm driving us home and that's it. I don't ever want to see your face again!" Nate shook he was so angry. "Or that asshole I call a brother."
I shut my mouth because I realized my words were only fueling his anger. He was too angry to listen right now—and rightfully so. This wasn't the way to find out your girlfriend was leaving you. It was wrong and anything I said would just anger him.
We drove in silence for a few miles and I could feel the tears still coming down my face. I wiped them as they came down and I wanted to text Quinn but I didn't dare pull my phone out because that would really set Nate off. It was dark as we drove down the highway, there were really no other cars and no lights except for the ones on Nate's truck.
Nate turned to me after a few minutes. "You know why didn't you just tell me?"
I didn't look at him as I spoke, afraid I'd bring on more anger. "I was going to Nate, I swear. I just wasn't sure how to tell you. But I was going to tell you today, I promise. I wasn't going to keep leading you on."
"No I mean when I asked you out."
"There was nothing to tell. Quinn had been all over Tricia so I thought there was no hope and I had to move on. You were the best guy to do that with. You care about me and we were already friends. We get along and you're fun to be around. It wasn't like I was doing it just to pass the time. I thought I would genuinely fall for you after awhile."
Nate scoffed. "This is just ridiculous, I just can't believe—" Nate cut off as he noticed the herd of deer in the road. He swerved to miss them and I grabbed onto the door for support. The swerving and Nate's speed was a dangerous mix. I felt it the minute we went airborne and our eyes locked in panic. Nate reached out and grabbed my hand just as the truck hit the ground on my side. It was a blur from then on. Glass flew at me and my head hit the door frame and I could hear the truck frame crunching as it rolled. My world was a blur, it was flipping all around and I wondered if it would ever stop.
The truck made one final crunch as it hit a tree. I tried to look over at Nate but it hurt too much. I felt nauseous and I felt pain everywhere. I tried to reach out to Nate but it wasn't working. It just kept getting darker and darker, the darkness closing in on me until the blackness took over.
…...
Sam POV
I was woken up by the phone ringing and I sat up quickly. The clock said it was a little after two in the morning so I knew whatever the call was about, it wasn't good. I saw Dad running down the steps to answer the phone with Brynna and Gram behind him. I went halfway down the steps before Gram held her hand up, telling me to wait.
"Hello?" Dad held the phone to his ear. "This is Wyatt Forster." Dad listened intently to what the caller was saying and leaned against the counter with a trembling sigh. "What hospital?"
Gram, Brynna and I shared an alarmed look. "We'll be there Luke. As soon we get dressed, we're leaving." Dad hung up the phone and didn't speak for a moment.
"Wyatt, what's going on?" Gram asked. Dad looked at all of us, concern on his face.
"That was Luke Ely. He just got a call that Nate and Juliet were in a car accident. They're at a hospital in Reno." I felt fear take over me for Juliet.
"Are they okay?" I asked, tears filling my eyes. Dad started towards the steps.
"They both have sustained some pretty bad injuries. That's all the nurse would tell Luke. She wants us all there immediately." Brynna followed him up the steps to get dressed and Gram pulled me into a hug.
"It'll be okay Samantha. Let's get back upstairs." Gram turned me towards the stairs but I balked.
"Gram, no! I won't be able to sleep now. Can I stay down here?" Gram sighed and let me go into the living room. As Dad and Brynna went out the door she brought me in a cup of hot chocolate.
"Drink this and try to lay down. They'll call once there's anything to tell us." So I sat covered up on the couch and tried to do as Gram said but I couldn't help the worry that ran through me.
…...
Juliet POV
A bright light shined in my eyes and I tried to block it with my hand. I felt something holding me down and a pain running through me. "Shh, it's okay sweetie. Hold still now." I heard an unfamiliar voice talk and I tried not to squirm. "Should we give her more medicine?" That was the last thing I heard before I fell unconscious again.
…...
Quinn POV
I sat in the waiting room of the hospital with my parents, Brynna and Wyatt. We were waiting on information on Juliet and Nate from the doctors. So far all we were told was that Juliet was in surgery and Nate was being taken care of. I looked at Mom who was crying quietly, Dad held her hand tightly trying to comfort her. Brynna was pale and Wyatt kept adjusting his hat.
The nurse had told us that a passerby had found the truck on the side of the highway. The police had said it looked like it rolled over a couple of times before stopping as it hit the tree. It wasn't clear on what caused the accident but as she told us they were both very lucky to be alive. We also knew they had major injuries.
A doctor stepped out of the door and walked up to us. "Mr. and Mrs. Ely?" Mom and Dad both shot up quickly.
"Yes sir, that's us." Dad spoke since Mom was an emotional mess. The doctor motioned towards the doors.
"Nathaniel is awake and you can see him now. I will warn you that he has a broken arm and a nasty cut on his forehead but it should heal up quickly." Then the doctor turned towards Brynna and Wyatt. "Are you Juliet's parents?"
"We're her legal guardians." Brynna stood up, pushing her red hair back. The doctor nodded.
"Juliet has sustained multiple injuries. She has a concussion, a broken collarbone, a cracked rib and we had to operate to remove a piece of metal from her right leg." Brynna and Mom both gasped. I felt the words tear through me. Juliet was probably in so much pain right now. "They're both very lucky that's all they have. The truck is very much totaled and they were lucky that passerby found them."
"Quinn, stay here until we go in and see how Nate is. Call home and tell them what injuries Nate has." Dad ordered me. I nodded and went to make the phone call. I couldn't help but wonder to myself why Nate had been driving home instead of being at Seth's.
…...
Nate POV
I groaned and tried to make myself comfortable as my hospital room door opened. In walked my parents. "Nate! Oh honey!" Mom's eyes were red-rimmed and filled with tears.
"I'm alright Mom. Just a broken arm and a cut." I sighed as she fluttered around me trying to comfort me but not hurt me. "Mom just sit down, okay? The doctor said pretty soon here I might be out of it from the pain meds they're giving me through the IV."
"Nate, why were you driving back? You were supposed to be staying at Seth's!"
"Me and Juliet got into an argument and I couldn't stay there. I was fine driving back we crashed." I remembered all the deer. "There was a whole herd of deer in the road and I swerved to miss them. That's why I crashed."
Mom kissed my forehead like I was a kid. "Is Juliet okay? No one is really telling me anything." We may have had a fight and I was angrier than ever at her but I had to know she was okay.
"She's going to be okay. She has a few injuries but you worry about yourself. Brynna, Wyatt and Quinn will worry about her." My anger came back full force when Mom mentioned Quinn was here.
"Why is he here?" I grumbled. Mom looked shocked.
"He's your brother. He was worried about you." Mom told me.
I scoffed. "Yeah, real worried about me." Worried about taking my girlfriend maybe..
…...
Juliet POV
I looked up at the white ceiling in the room and tried to have some clear thoughts. The pain medicine they gave me made my thoughts kind of foggy but Brynna and Wyatt had just came into the room. I wanted to be alert for them.
"Sweetie, how are you?" Brynna looked over my injury riddled body and looked like she wanted to cry. I wore a sling over my broken collarbone and my arm to keep it in place and from hurting me. My abdomen was taped to help my cracked rib and there was a big bandage and stitches on my right leg where they had removed a piece of metal. I knew my face and arms had tiny scratches from the glass that hit me too. There was also a slight headache.
"I'm alive." I joked weakly. Brynna gently smoothed my hair back out of my face. Wyatt pulled up chairs for them both.
"Do you remember what caused the accident?" Wyatt asked. I nodded.
"A herd of deer was in the road. Nate swerved to avoid them but it caused the truck to flip and roll." Wyatt's face paled and I remember Sue telling me her sister, Wyatt's first wife, had died in a car accident because of a herd of antelope. She had swerved to miss them too but had died. Wyatt was probably reliving that.
"Why were you two driving back at this time? You were supposed to stay in Elko with Seth." Brynna sounded confused. I dreaded this part. I would have to tell them about Nate flipping out. They wouldn't be happy with either of us. Luckily a doctor walked in to check on me again. They would be doing that a lot because of the concussion one nurse had told me.
…...
November 29th, Sunday Sam POV 7am
"Samantha, will you feed Moon when you feed the others? Even though they're on their way home, Juliet won't be able to help out for awhile. Lord, I can only imagine when she has to go back to school next week." Gram shook her head sympathetically.
"Sure Gram, I'll do it now." I ran outside to tend to the horses and ran into Tristan. He smiled at me.
"Hey Sam, do you know when Juliet is coming home today?" He asked as he fell into step with me.
"Yeah they're on their way home from the hospital now my Gram says." Tristan stopped and looked at me in horror.
"The hospital?" Tristan asked, his voice wavering. I realized then Brynna and Dad hadn't stopped to wake Tristan or Molly. I nodded slowly.
"Her and Nate were in a car accident late last night on their way home. Dad and Brynna went to the hospital but they forgot to wake you or didn't want to disturb you. It was around two this morning."
"Are they alright?" I grimaced.
"Juliet has a concussion, a broken collarbone, a cracked rib and seventeen stitches in her leg from removal of a piece of metal. Nate has a broken arm and a nasty cut on his forehead." Tristan winced.
"That's terrible. But you said they'll be home today?" I nodded.
"They're sending Juliet home with a sling she has to wear and pain medicine. They should be here within the hour." I motioned towards the barn. "I'm just going to feed the horses before they get home."
"Let me help you then I'll tell Molly." Tristan followed alongside of me and I was grateful for the help. Five horses could be a handful by yourself.
…...
AN: Hey readers! Here's an update for you! I hope you like it(as much as you can!) and I hoped you enjoyed reading it. You got lucky because I've only been writing chapters that are less than 3,000 words but you got almost 5,000! I just couldn't stop! But it is now one thirty in the morning and I'm exhausted. I've updated a few of my Phantom Stallion stories in the past week and my Criminal Minds fanfic. I also published a new story. It's a Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island fanfic called You Are The Only Exception. It has two chapters up already and it's a Regular Character/OC. You should check it out!
We're going to start getting back into the drama from the night of the dance with talk of a trial for Christian and such plus we'll see how Juliet's Dad, Charles, is doing with his cancer/cancer treatments. Then of course we'll have the Nate/Quinn/Juliet drama so it won't be boring for awhile! I will be updating soon! My chapters are going to be reduced to 2500-3500 words so I can try to update two stories a day. For now it's a daily update(usually but it's rare if I don't update daily now). I'd love to see some reviews!
For those who read Ripped Pictures: I had to delete my lemon story Belle & Quinn: The Cabin because it was going to be reported by this community that reports authors breaking the rules(the sexual content was breaking the rules apparently) so I deleted it until I can re-edit it or I'll post it on my website. Just wanted to let you know!
Thanks for reading! -Quinnandseth'sgirl15... My next update will be: Sophie's Choice. I should have it up by tomorrow night, if not, it will be up on 4/23!