[Louis' POV.]
I was driving too fast, constantly checking the console for the time. Two bottles of vodka rattled on the passenger seat, a threat to spill and clash. I was late. Dead, goddamn late. I was heading to a party, supposed to make an entrance, do ‘networking’ as Liam called it. I needed to be there, but I was already running behind. No excuse for it.
The L.A. streets were eerily empty for a Friday night. Not complaining, though. Being late meant I could ignore the usual Friday night traffic.
I knew driving was a risk, knowing I’d probably end up completely wasted. But I didn’t have much choice. My driver, Gael, was off. Calling an Uber wasn’t an option when you *are* me.
I shook my head, annoyed at being a lazy ass and not ready on time. Annoyed at not realizing I was late until Liam called, furious about it.
I was so lost in my own head that I almost missed the red light. The street was empty, thankfully, but the dim streetlamps made everything feel… distant. A boy crossed the intersection on his bike.
It happened too fast.
I slammed on the brakes, trying to stop, but the street *was* empty. I still hit him. I watched his body fly over the trunk of my car.
I managed to stop the car without hitting anything else, luckily. I rushed out to check on the boy.
He landed on the side of the street, his head hitting the pavement. Blood soaked his curly brown hair. I leaned over him, checked his pulse. Still there. His ribcage moved—he was breathing. But he wasn’t conscious.
I had to get him to a hospital.
I knew there was one only two blocks away. I had to hurry.
I unlocked the back doors, struggling to pick him up. I ripped off my shirt, pressed it against his bleeding wound, and carefully placed him inside. Quickly, I pulled a hoodie over my head and climbed back into the driver’s seat.
“You’re going to make it, stranger,” I mumbled. “You have to.”
I glanced at his destroyed bike in the street before turning on the car. I’d get him a new one after getting him to the hospital. A mental note.
And probably a helmet.