Bang. Bang. Bang. It’s what startles me awake. I look at the clock on the cable box. Damn, it’s three pm already. The banging starts again and it registers that it’s my door. I slowly get to my feet and slowly make my way to the door. Each step is taking a lot of effort. Yelling at whoever it is to hold the fuck on. My temper is short and I feel agitated for some reason. I can’t figure out what is going on.
I reach the door and fling it open. James and Matt are both standing there, hands in their pockets. They both look pissed off and worried. Matt is the first to move, pushing me inside the house and pinning me up against the wall. The force of the hit throws my head back into the wall before I can try and stop it. Slamming it against the wall brings back to life the intense headache I had before.
“What the fuck?” I reach up and try to push him away, lost as to what the hell his problem is.
He gets in my face. His jaw clenched, looking like he could kill. “I trusted you.” He grits out in a strained yell.
“What are you talking about Matt? You trusted me with what?” I look at him and then over to James, who is now walking over to Matt and pulling him off me. He whispers something in Matt's ear. I see Matt relax a little, but he still has a murderous look on his face.
“You fucking broke her. What the hell were you thinking Hunter? If you were going to play her, why try to be with her?”
Reaching up, I rub my temples. None of this is making sense. “What are you talking about Matt? I did not play anyone.”
He looks over at James, a look of disbelief on his face. He thinks I am lying, but I don't even know what he is talking about.
Matt shakes his head and James grabs his arm to stop him from taking a swing at me.
I step to the side out of his range.
“James, what is he talking about?” I can feel my stomach roll again. The look on his face tells me I am not going to like what he says. I think I fucked up with Payton. For some reason, this whole morning I had a feeling something wasn't right and James and Matt were here to tell me what it is.
James clears his throat. “Did you come home alone last night?”
I look at him and then Matt. “Yes, I think. I don't remember last night. I remember getting to the bar before you guys and ordering a soda. When you guys arrived we talked for a while, Kelly refilled our drinks and then nothing.”
His eyes narrow. “You don't remember coming back here with Kelly?”
“Why would I come back here with Kelly?” I was more asking myself than them two.
James pulls out his phone. He goes through it for a few seconds and then hands it to me.
I look down at the picture he brought up onto the screen. Swallowing hard, I can feel the bile rise up in my throat but I force it back down and look back up at him.
“What the hell is this?”
“I am pretty sure you know what it is Hunter. You can’t keep your fucking dick in your pants.” Matt's yells, the veins in his neck popping out.
James puts a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. “Payton came to the bar last night to see you. But you had left already. You said you were not feeling good. She was on her way to your house when you text her that picture.”
I look back down at the phone. The picture is of Kelly straddling my lap, me in my boxers and her in nothing but her bra and thong. I look back at James and then Matt. My headache is becoming much worse now. “Payton saw this?” I ask in a whisper, not wanting to believe it.
This is not happening. “I did nothing with Kelly last night.” I thrust James phone back at him and leave the living room to retrieve my phone. I come back out scrolling through my texts and land on the one I did send Payton last night.
“This doesn’t make sense James. Matt you know I would never hurt Payton like this. I remember nothing about last night after the bar.” I start to panic, knowing I just lost the one thing I cared about. I was wrong in thinking I could leave her. She means everything to me and I literally fucked that up last night.
I let my phone fall to the floor, not caring if it breaks. “I didn’t do this. You guys have to believe me. I would not hurt her like this. I love her.” My life was shattering in that moment. I know if I call her she wouldn’t pick up her phone to talk to me. I know she will just walk away from me without letting me explain. She went through hell with Keegan. Now she is probably thinking I am no better than that asshole.
They don't move. The silence in the air is defining. Matt looks more confused than pissed now. I can see the thoughts running through his mind. After a few seconds of trying to process everything that is going on. His eyes light up like he just thought of something huge.
“Hunter you remember nothing, are you sure?”
I can feel myself getting irritated. “Yes, I am sure,” I yell, balling my fists. “Matt you know I would not do this. I would not hurt her or hurt you. You are like a brother to me.”
“Could you have been drugged? You look like shit and I know for a fact you didn’t drink last night.”
I run the idea over in my head. Going over how I have been feeling this morning and not remembering anything that happened last night. I look up at him sharply. “That fucking bitch. Kelly was the only one to give me drinks last night.” I run my hands over my face shaking from the rage I feel inside right now. I could kill her.
Matt must have seen the change in me, he steps in front of me. “Hunter stop and think okay. I know you are about to do something without thinking. You are a police officer, handle this how it should be handled. Or let James and I handle it.”
I flex my hands and sigh. “You get it right, that I did nothing. Well, I might have, but she fucking drugged me and set me up.” I walk away from him. “I need to talk to Payton. She needs to understand that I did nothing wrong. I can’t lose her because of this bitch.”
He sighs and lets his shoulders relax. “She left this morning for the cabin. That’s how we found out about all this. She came to my house upset and looking for the keys to the cabin. It took Em a while to get Payton to talk to her. James was over and sent the picture to his phone so we could come confront you.” He looks down at the floor. “Hunter I am sorry. I should have known better. She was so hurt and it killed me to see her that way.”
“Don’t worry about it. I would have kicked my own ass if I would have known. I need to go find her and do some damage control.”
Matt hugs me. I can tell he still feels bad so I hug him back. “It’s okay buddy. Go tell Em that I am not a monster. I need to go grab some clothes and find Payton.”
He lets me go and steps back. “What about Kelly?”
I smile. “She is in a lot of trouble for drugging me. I have a feeling her and Keegan were planning this.” The thought of Keegan makes my heart stop and I let what I said about Keegan replay in my head. I look at Matt again. “Fuck. She and Keegan were planning this. Now Payton is alone. How long ago did she leave?”
“About five hours ago,” James replies, his voice laced with panic.
I get into flight mood. The panic that vanished is back and now all I can think about if getting to Payton.
“I have to go, its three hours to the cabin.” I don't tell them what’s on my mind. Keegan used Kelly as a distraction to get to Payton, it was a way to get me out of the way. I am sure of this.
I push them out the door and grab the shit I need, making sure I grab my gun from the drawer and head out of my house. Getting in my car with every intent to get to Payton before Keegan does.
Chapter 14
Payton
Getting to the cabin was the only thing I had on my mind. Normally I would take my time during the drive up to the cabin. I would stop and visit the little shops that are in the towns on the way. I love to visit the Amish Farms that sell homemade food and furniture. I always love the drive to the cabin. Seeing all the trees and the wildlife always amazed me. I always loved the woods when I was little. I would always beg my parents to allow me to live in the woods. I loved the free
dom the woods had to offer. Now I want to live in the woods so I can escape the drama that comes along with life. Maybe this visit would be the one time I get lost.
My mind wonders to Hunter and what happened last night. I can still feel the hurt and rawness from it all. The pain is still there and I am not sure how long it will take for me to overcome this pain. It feels like there is a huge hole where my heart should be. I hate myself for allowing him to affect me this much. I allowed him into my heart, knowing I could lose him and end up getting hurt. I am always getting hurt and I am done with it. I am done with Hunter and Keegan. They both hurt me in two totally different ways. Keegan with violence and Hunter with emotions. I can say I never really loved Keegan. Not after I got to experience love with Hunter. My feelings for Keegan were comfortable. I was comfortable with him, even though he beat me. Keegan hurting me was not as harsh as the way Hunter hurt me. Hunter ripped out my heart, spit on it a few times and threw it away.
I pull into the driveway of the cabin and sit in the car for a few minutes; promising myself this will be the last time I think of Hunter. I wipe the tears that are running down my cheeks away and get out of the car. I gather my bag from the trunk and head inside the cabin.
Today is my day to forget and erase the shit that has happened in the last few months. I sigh when I walk into the cabin. The feeling of family and home hitting me all at once. This place used to be my grandparents. They gave it to my dad before they moved to Florida. It is two stories. The upstairs is a loft that holds the master bedroom and the two other bedrooms along with a bathroom. The cabin is not too big and not too small. The bottom level is just the kitchen that is still decorated with my grandmother touch of bright yellow walls with ceramic geese hanging up all over. The living room is the one room my grandfather decorated and we keep it the way he wanted it, with dead animals on the walls leaving it with an outdoorsy feel. The bear and deer that are hanging up still give me the creeps to this day.
The deer was a big accomplishment for my dad. It was the first and the last time he hunted. With that hunt, he earned the respect he wanted from my grandfather and was granted to marry my mom. Grandpa is slightly crazy. He wanted to make sure my dad could kill something just in case the world ended and we survived. We would have something to eat and a way to keep surviving. My grandpa told me that story about a hundred times and it never gets old hearing about it.
I run my bags upstairs, bringing them to the room at the end of the hall. It was the room I chose when the cabin was given to my dad. I was able to decorate it the way I wanted, but I chose to keep it how my mom had it. It was her room before her and my dad got married. It was one reminder I had of her. When I open the door, I am greeted by the rose colored walls and flower comforter that is on the bed. Smiling to myself, I walk in and put my bag on the bed before I grab the picture of my mom off the nightstand. I kiss my fingers and place them on the picture. It’s another thing I do. Another way of telling her I love her.
I put the photo back on the table and dig into my bag, pulling out my book I brought. Heading back downstairs I decide I want to read for a while before I worry about dinner. I need to do the one thing that helps me stop thinking. The one thing I can do to check out of reality and check into swoon-worthy guys. Where there are happy endings. Unlike my reality where there are assholes and heart-wrenching endings. I mentally slap myself for even thinking about what has happened, and go down to the living room and curl up on the couch. I snuggle in, preparing to stay this way for a while. Ready to get lost in my book.
I jolt awake, looking around the living room, feeling disoriented. I must have fallen asleep while I was reading. I don't think I got too far into the book because I don't remember anything that I read. I look for my book and see it sitting on the coffee table. Confused I look around again, maybe I put it there in my sleep. When I stand up, I notice the blanket falls to the floor. I start to panic knowing for sure I did not cover myself up. The blankets are on the other side of the living room in the chest.
I stand still, trying to control my breathing. Maybe Matt or James are here. Maybe they followed me to make sure I was okay. Before I can finish the thought, I hear something in the kitchen. Not knowing what I should do, I stay put for a few seconds trying to think of a plan. We are secluded; the closest neighbors are 10 miles away from us. No one should be here. The only people who know I am here are Matt and James, so it has to be one of them.
I get up enough courage to go see who is in the kitchen, walking slowly to the kitchen. I can feel my heart rate spike. The closer I get my stomach gets the flutters as my nerves kick in. I try to go quietly, grabbing the stoker from the fireplace. I grip it in my hand so tight I can feel my nails dig into my palm.
When I get into the kitchen, I peek my head in, not seeing anyone in there. I feel my shoulders relax with relief and place the stoker down by the entrance of the kitchen. I walk in and go to the fridge, laughing at myself for my overactive imagination. I know I watch too many crime shows and read too many books.
I grab a soda and something out of the freezer to eat. My dad always has food in the freezer in case we want to come up last minute. I go to grab some chicken but before I am able to grab the frozen chicken breast I feel a hand wrap around my stomach from behind, pulling me in close so my back is pressed up against something hard.
I can feel a scream racing up my throat, wanting to escape but a big hand clamps down on my mouth, blocking it from being released. I drop the stuff in my hands and grab onto the hand that is over my mouth, trying to pull it off. I keep pulling, but the hand doesn’t budge. I should have listened to my gut and ran out of the front door when I thought someone was in the cabin. I keep trying to pull the hand off my mouth. The person who has me pinned to him starts to pull me backward, away from the freezer. I can feel the terror building up and I start to claw at the hand of the intruder, digging my nails into him so hard I can feel the wetness of his blood. I know I am at least hurting him. I feel him flinch in pain, but it’s not enough to cause him to let go.
He doesn't say a word as I struggle. He stops suddenly and let’s go of my mouth, running his hand down my jaw and clasps his hand down on my throat and squeezes light enough to cause me to panic, but not hard enough to block my airway. I feel the pressure of his arms lift from around my waist and move to my hip.
I use the slight freedom I gained when he moved his arm and jam my elbow into his gut as hard as I can, causing him to stumble back. Taking me with him as he does. It doesn't free me from the grasp on my throat, but it is enough to let me see who it is.
All the fight I had in me freezes as I stare Keegan in the eyes. The whimper I hear comes from me as my knees give out and I sag, threatening to not support my weight any longer. Keegan has a sadistic looking smile that spreads across his face. Seeing me in a weakened state he uses it to his advantage and pushes me up against one of the kitchen walls, holding me there by my throat.
“Surprised to see me?” He hisses out, bringing his face close to mine.
I try to push him away from me, but it doesn't work, it just causes his grip to tighten more on my throat cutting off my air flow. I gasp and try to pull his hand off of me. He doesn’t let go. The fucker looks down at me as I struggle under his hand. He starts laughing.
I go to say something, but he stops me by placing his finger on my lips. “I didn’t say you could talk right now.” He leans in, running his nose along my neck inhaling my scent like a predator would before they attack their prey. “You will listen to me and do as I say.” He doesn’t give me time to respond before he starts to talk again. “I received a call while you were asleep. Hunter is on his way up here. I have someone waiting outside waiting for him. That person is hiding and will take him out if you do not listen to me. Do you understand?”
I can feel the tears surface as I shake my head yes. I need to come up with a plan to get out of this.
“Good. Now I will let go of your throat. Don't try anything stupid Payton.
I know you don’t always use your head.” As he says it he pulls me forward and then pushes me back into the wall, causing my head to make contact. Pain races through my head, causing me to yelp out. I received his message loud and clear. Be good or else.
The pressure from his hand leaves my throat and I slide down the wall, trying to think, wanting to get away from here. It was stupid of me to come here alone. I put myself in this position and now I need to get myself out before he does something even worse.
I sit there looking at the floor, refusing to look up at him. “What do you want Keegan?” My voice has more shake to it than I want it to have. I need to sound strong. Willing myself, I push myself to a standing position and look him in the eyes. Seeing nothing but an empty void.
“You and I,” he says, pointing between him and me, “will be together forever Payton. I don't care if I have to kill you and then myself. I am prepared to do it, if that’s what has to be done. But I would really like to keep us alive so I can enjoy you.” He licks his lips and smiles at me.
He is crazy. He is prepared to kill us if he has to. I look away from him again, not able to stare into his eyes any longer. “Keegan I don't want this. I don't want you.”
Before I know it, he grabs the cup on the table and throws it at me. I move out of the way just in time, causing it to hit the wall and shatter behind me.
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