Crushing Misery

by Kinsey Taylor

  Just then, Dad and Jagger come rushing in. Corbin backs up, and I squeeze his hand one last time before we both let go. He moves away backing over to the chair and sits down, never taking his eyes off me. Jagger comes rushing over, taking in the sight of my face.

  “What the fuck?” he yells. Looking in Corbin’s direction.

  “Shh, Jagger! She doesn’t need the stress right now. She just barely woke up, bro. Give her some time and let her get her bearings before you go off the deep end,” Corbin says.

  Jagger takes my hand in his. “I’m so sorry, Kennedy,” he whispers.

  “I’ll deal with you later,” he says over his shoulder.

  “Stop it, Jagger.” I motion over to Corbin.

  “This isn’t his fault or yours, Jag. This is all Troy’s doing.”

  “I’m going to fucking kill him,” Jagger says.

  I laugh, and he looks at me like what’s so damn funny.

  “Corbin kind of already took care of that for you. I’ve never seen anything like it, I mean, he looked like he was a professional stuntman.”

  Jagger smiles looking over to Corbin, and they both break out in laughter smiling at one another. Corbin shakes his head side to side. Is this some kind of private joke? Dad comes over, and I see the pain and shock there in his eyes.

  “Oh, baby, look what he did to you. I’ll replace your stuff because I’m not letting you put yourself in jeopardy again.” Jagger and Corbin exchange looks. Dad reaches over and gently hugs me. Turning, I watch my dad walk over to Corbin.

  “I can’t thank you enough for saving my baby.”

  “Don’t mention it, sir. I’m glad I got there when I did.” My dad jerks in response.

  Mom and Ashlynn are next to come in followed by the nurse.

  “Only two people in here at a time, hospital policy.”

  Corbin stands. “She just woke up, so can we please stay for a little while longer? Then I promise, we’ll all take turns with her?” The nurse looks at him oddly, then a smile bursts across her face followed by a blush across her cheeks. What was that about?

  “Sure, take all the time you need.”

  I watch their exchange, and he winks at her. She fumbles, bumping into the tray, and giggles as she rights herself and walks out. Looking over at Corbin, I smile and shake my head.

  “What?” he says with a devilish smile.

  “Yeah right, Casanova. You know exactly what,” I say to him. Ashlynn walks to Corbin and climbs right up into his lap. My eyes go wide as I witness the scene playing out before me.

  “Corbee,” she says, placing her tiny hands on both sides of his face.

  “Can you take me to my mommy, pwease?”

  “Yes, baby. I sure can.”

  Everyone stops and looks between Corbin and Ashlynn to me, their expressions of complete surprise as they watch their exchange. I look at my dad and shrug my shoulders. Corbin stands up with her in his arms as if it’s second nature, bringing her to me. He sets her on the bed beside me, and she places her hand on the side of my cheek ever so lightly. Her eyes roam over my wounds.

  “Mommy, I’s glad you are awake. I thought you were gone,” she says.

  Tears fill my eyes.

  “Aww! Baby, no way. Mommy isn’t going anywhere; I promise you,” I squish her to me and wince.

  “Hey, how about we let your mommy get some rest, so she can get out of this hospital. Okay?” Corbin says lifting her from the bed, cradling her in his arms and carrying her back over to the chair. I watch as my mom and dad exchange looks.

  The doctor comes in, “Well, young lady, I’m Dr. Love. Your CT scan came back showing you have a mild concussion, so I would like to keep you overnight for observation. I see no signs of swelling, or bleeding, but your scan showed some minor bruising. The stitches in your cheek shouldn’t get wet for forty-eight hours, and the nurse will clean and redress your bandage first thing tomorrow. The swelling of your eye looks worse than it is. I don’t see any damage to the ocular bone on your scans, but if your vision deteriorates, I want you to let the nurse know. Okay? How are you feeling?” he asks.

  “I’m okay, slight headache, and really sore and tired, sir.”

  “That’s to be expected after the trauma you’ve endured. Do you have any concerns or questions for me?” he asks.

  “Yes, when will I be able to go home?”

  “As long as everything stays upbeat and moving along good, tomorrow.”

  “Okay great. Thank you.”

  “There are two police officers here to speak with you. You up for it?” he asks.

  “Not really but can you let them in, so I can get this over with, please?”

  Looking at me sadly, he says, “Yes, I sure can. You take care of yourself, and if you need anything, young lady, please, don’t hesitate to ask.” He reaches over and squeezes my hand.

  “Thank you.” I smile at him watching as he leaves the room.

  Corbin places Ashlynn on her feet. “Ashlynn, can you go sit with your grandma?”

  “Okay, Corbee.”

  I laugh every time I hear her call him that. He gets up and comes over to me.

  “I might be arrested but just know as soon as I get out, I’ll be over to make sure nothing happens to you, okay?”

  “Oh. I hadn’t even thought that far ahead.” The pained look on his face is hard to witness, and tears prick the back of my eyes once again.

  “It will be okay,” Dad says.

  “We will help you with whatever you need, Corbin. It’s the least we can do.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Finley, but that won’t be necessary.” He nods.

  The officers walk in, and the woman I recognize from a few weeks ago. She is the officer who talked and photographed Ashlynn and me the night of Jagger and Paige’s wedding.

  “Hi, Mrs. Anderson. Sorry we have to meet again, under these circumstances.”

  “Hi, Detective Dennis. How are you?” I ask.

  “I’m good, thank you. You know the drill. We need to get your statement and take pictures for evidence, alright?”

  I nod. “Can I ask you all to leave, please?” I say to everyone. “Corbin, can you please stay with me?”

  My brother huffs off in a pissed off fury. My parents both walk over to my bedside, each giving me a hug and saying, “We will be right in the waiting room.”

  “Thank you for understanding. I love you,” I say to them.

  Detective Dennis walks over and puts her hand over mine. “I am sorry about this.” The sincere look she gives me makes me relax a little. I start with my explanation of what happened.

  “I went to the house to pick up some clothes and things of ours. He’d parked his car in the garage, which he never does, so I figured no one was home. I have a feeling he’d been waiting for me to show up. When I went inside, he was slumped over, sitting on the edge of the couch. . I saw the 9mm sitting on the coffee table right in front of him. I quickly realized it was a gun and sprinted out the front door. He followed me outside when I tried running back to my car, but I didn’t make it very far.” Corbin’s grip tightens around my hand.

  “He grabbed me by my hair and threw me to the ground. Then he picked me up by my neck and started punching me.” I lose it and can’t stop the tears from falling. It’s as if my childhood and adulthood collide in that very moment dragging me back to the abusive depths of hell. I force myself to keep going.

  “A-After that, all I remember is Corbin yelling something at him and watching Troy take a swing at him. I don’t remember much other than waking up here in the hospital.” I start to shake uncontrollably and have a full-blown anxiety attack.

  Corbin frantically reaches and repeatedly pushes the nurses’ button yelling, “We need a nurse!”

  I wake to silence and faint light coming from the hall. I look over, and the first thing my eyes land on is Corbin’s sleeping form looking way too big in the tiny hospital chair. The blanket is way too small to cover his massive body. He kept his promise of not
leaving my side. I’m still a little groggy from the medicine they injected me with.

  “Corbin,” I say. He jumps up looking over at me, fumbles around with the blanket and walks the few steps towards me.

  “Are you okay? Do you need anything?” he blurts out.

  “Yes. Can you get me a glass of water, please?” I ask.

  “Yes, of course. One water coming right up.”

  I follow his movement over to the pitcher of water sitting on the table. He picks it up, pours some into a glass and quickly brings it over popping a straw into the cup.

  I’m going to let your nurse know you’re awake, and I’ll come right back, okay?” I nod and smile at him. He towers over me, but from where I’m lying in bed, he seems even taller… almost giant-like.

  He comes back in smiling.

  “She’ll be right in,” he blurts out.

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “How are you feeling?” he asks with concern filling his voice.

  “I’m okay, still pretty sore and groggy from the medicine. Sorry, you had to witness my anxiety freak out.”

  “Is that what it was? I thought it was shock,” he says.

  “It was, and I have a mild case of PTSD. It’s from my past and now my present-day. It made it worse because my past and present all connecting.” He hangs his head.

  “No, Corbin! This isn’t your fault.” He looks up, and the pain is written in his eyes.

  “This isn’t your future, Kennedy. I won’t let it be your future. You deserve so much more than this. I want to ask you something,” he says.

  “Let’s hear it,” I say.

  “I…” He runs his hand over his head and looks nervous.

  “What is it, Corbin?” I say.

  “With everything that has happened… I just thought… I think you and Ashlynn should come stay with me. Troy is in the hospital, and now he’s going to know who did this to him. They will give him my name. He’s going to come after you. If you are at my house in hiding when he gets out and presses charges, I’ll be arrested and won’t be here to protect you. This way, at my place, I know you’ll be okay. By the time you are okay enough to get around, I should be released. My house is surrounded by acres of forest.” He starts pacing the floor like a deranged zoo animal.

  “Calm down. I don’t know, Corbin. I understand your concern, but we will be safe at my parents’ house. My dad won’t let anything happen to us. I don’t feel it’s appropriate that we stay with you, being you and I don’t know one another very well, and there is the little fact that I’m still married. He’s a dirty lawyer, Corbin. He will use anything in his power against me. I don’t want you to get involved. I hope you understand, and I appreciate you looking out for us.”

  “Kennedy, I’m already involved. I thought since he doesn’t know where I live, you would be much safer there.” He walks over to me, takes my hand, looks me straight in my eyes, and says,

  “I don’t want to think of what he could have done to you had you not run out like you did. I can’t lose you, Boss. I know you probably don’t understand. Hell, I don’t even understand it myself, but I have a past, too, one filled with death, darkness and pain. Fuck!” he shouts.

  “Calm down, Corbin,” I say. “I appreciate the offer, but I would feel much more comfortable staying at my parents’. I hope you understand, and I hope you will come over and visit more, now that we are friends. I owe you so much.”

  “Okay. Can’t blame me for trying. The offer stands any time in case you need it. Of course, I will come visit every chance I get, and yes, Kennedy, we are friends.”

  “I truly appreciate that.”

  We both stare at each other for a minute. A beautiful nurse comes in and looks at Corbin like he’s just the best piece of chocolate cake she’s ever laid eyes on, and she wants a taste. I notice the nurses seem way more dolled up, now that I think about it.

  “Corbin?” I say.

  “Yeah, Boss?”

  “What exactly is it you do for a living?”

  The nurse checking my vitals giggles, and Corbin gives her a knowing smile. “You must not watch much TV,” she says to me.

  “No, I sure don’t. If it’s not on the Disney Channel or a princess movie, I don’t watch it,” I say.

  “He’s only the most famous and most gorgeous MMA fighter around.” She looks over at him and blushes.

  “Thank you, love.” He winks, and she exits the room. I watch after her in shock, and jealousy consumes me.

  “You’re an MMA fighter? Seriously?” I ask.

  “Why do you seem so shocked, Boss?” he says.

  I laugh and say, “Well that explains a lot.”

  “What does?” he says.

  I look dumbfounded, and I stare up at him.

  “The move you did right before you swung around and kicked Troy… it was something I had never seen before. It was incredible!” I laugh and stop as the pain in my head and face throbs.

  “You okay?”

  I giggle.

  “Yeah, I feel like I was beaten up by Mike Tyson.”

  He laughs out loud. “Boss, that most definitely wasn’t Mike Tyson. Both your ears are still intact, babe.”

  “Oh, stop. It hurts when you make me laugh, you ass.”

  Corbin

  The nurse comes walking in carrying discharge papers for Kennedy to sign, and she goes over all the necessary precautions.

  “Here’s a couple pamphlets with symptoms to be on the lookout for. Dizziness, buried vision, vomiting, slurred speech, etc. No getting your stitches wet for another twenty-four hours, change your bandages every day, and he made you a follow-up appointment in five days, and he’ll remove your stitches at that time. Dr. Love prescribed you Advil for your pain. I have them right here for you and a few days worth of sterile bandages to use at home.

  Janice and Bruce took Ashlynn home with them around lunchtime, and I was here at the hospital when she received the news of her release. I called Bruce to let him know I will be bringing her home this evening.

  “Mr. Nash, just the man we came to see. Can we have a few minutes of your time? We have a couple more questions concerning Mrs. Anderson’s case,” the female detective says to me.

  “Can this wait until later? They are about to release Kennedy, and I’m headed to pull around my truck.” They look between one another.

  “You are taking Mrs. Anderson home?”

  “Yes, I am. I want to make sure she gets home safely because I know her husband has already been released.”

  “How did you find that information out?” she asks.

  “I made a call, and my associates found out for me. I know you have to know by now who I am.”

  “Yes, we do, and that’s why we have come to talk to you.”

  “I told you everything the other night. Nothing has changed. I didn’t plan for this to happen or went looking for it. I was doing a favor for my friend Jagger in making sure his sister Kennedy was safe, and I drove up to find her husband holding her up off the ground by her neck. I’m a trained fighter, yes, but I didn’t go looking for a fight. I wasn’t going to sit by and watch my friend get beat on. Now if you aren’t going to arrest me, I’ll be going.” Stepping around them, I push the elevator button again and notice we have an audience.

  “You have all my information, I’ll be home this evening, and you can drop by anytime. I’ll answer any other questions you may have, but right now I’m getting her the hell out of here and safely home.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Corbin

  Halloween passes, and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. I’m not sure if I should stay in town and spend the holidays with Kennedy and Ashlynn or travel to visit with my folks. I haven’t seen my parents in some time, and my sister Jennifer is adamant about me coming home this year for Christmas. Spending the Holiday without my girls feels wrong now. We are just friends, but the more time we spend together, the closer we get. I’m heading over for dinner tonight, so mayb
e I will throw out some feelers to see what Kennedy has planned.

  Ringing the doorbell, I stand with anticipation of having her within my sight. There is no more denying it; we have an undeniable connection. What exactly it is, is still very much unspoken? She has filed for divorce and received temporary custody of Ashlynn. Troy hasn’t contacted her, but I’m leery knowing he is still out there, released on bail and pissed about all the charges against him. He could easily come around, trying lord knows what, and there isn’t a thing I can do or say about it other than trying to protect them.

  The door swings open, and Kennedy is standing there all dolled up in a short black dress hugging her curves like a second skin. My cock twitches making my pants pull tight in the front. I take a step back admiring the view. Between her knockout smile, the killer dress she’s wearing and having her golden locks down flowing over her shoulders, I don’t know where to look next. God, she’s so fucking hot. I want my hands tangled in her hair pulling tight while pounding hard into her flesh. I have never seen her wear anything form fitting before; most of her clothes are loose hippie 1970’s era style. It’s different, but her style fits her, so I wonder why the sudden change.

  “Earth to Corbin. Like what you see, huh?” she teases.

  “Always! I’ve never seen you wear something so tight. Not that I’m complaining. Why the sudden change, Boss?” I question with a smirk.

  “I wanted to wear something different for a change.”

  “Can I come in, or am I banished to the porch?”

  “Oh sorry! Yes, come in.” She laughs. I adjust my dick the minute she turns around and glad I did. Down boy.

  “Corbee!” Ashlynn says, running straight for me.

  When I pick her up, she hugs me tightly around my neck.

  “I missed you, Corbee. Where you been?”

  “I’m training for my upcoming fight, beauty. What have you been up to?”

  “I painted you a picture. Want to see?”

  “Of course I do. Lead the way.” I place her down on her feet.

  She takes me upstairs to the room her and Kennedy share. I haven’t been back in here since the night Kennedy left Troy. It still looks the same as I remember, but there are more toys and Ashlynn’s things are spread about the room. Kids sure do need a lot of stuff.