by Xavier Neal
“You comin’?” Jackson snaps his fingers in front of my face bringing me back to the realization everyone is heading out of the room.
“Yeah.” I yank my backpack up and sling it over my shoulder.
“You cool? You’ve been out of it all morning.”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Just tired.”
“You should be. Tore that shit up all weekend didn’t you?”
Twisting my baseball cap backwards I don’t reply.
Jackson starts going on about some party he and Blaine crashed late last night when he got back from his weekend with his uncle. As we head the direction of my car I do my best to pay attention, but am taken off guard when something catches my eye. Seeing a face I know will lead me to the other one I need to talk to, I hustle across the courtyard leaving Jackson mid-sentence shouting my name.
“Hey lover boy,” Liv greets me with a warm smile. “Though, you’re in trouble for not answering your phone.”
“Why would I answer my phone?” I coldly question. “What could she possibly fucking say to me?”
“Did I miss something?” Megan’s voice comes from behind me, a hurt expression in her eyes.
Even upset she still looks beautiful. Fuck. Me.
“Did I?” I snap at her.
“I don’t...” She shakes her head. “I don’t know why you’re upset. And why are you yelling?”
“I catch you kissing someone else and you wanna know why I’m yelling?” my voice raises. “What the fuck do you think!”
Her hand shakes as it covers her lips. After a small sob she shakes her head again, “Dean it’s not like that.”
“It’s not like that? So watching you make out with another guy out in the open isn’t like that? What the fuck is it like then Megan? This whole time you’re concerned that I’m just using you for a quick fuck and you’re making out with another dude in public! What the fuck!”
Faces start to turn our direction and she whispers, “Please stop...let me explain.”
“Why?” my emotions keep me pushing instead of listening. “So you can play the innocent act again. No. Fuck that.” I yank her wallet out of my bag shoving it at her. “I guess you’re not mine after all.”
Breaking out into a cry she snatches it from me and shoves her way past me, tears the only thing I can hear.
A hard fist lands in my chest and I gripe, “Ouch! That fucking hurt!”
“Good,” Liv snaps her neck at me. “Daddy taught me a mean fist can be just as effective as a gun.”
I don’t know if that’s accurate.
“You’re kinda scary you know that?”
“You have no idea,” she claims. “Just like you have no idea what happened yesterday.”
“She—”
“Did I say you could talk?” My mouth shuts.
It’s like having Aunt Erin but my own age. Weird...Not sure I like it.
“That guy you saw forcing himself on Megan was her ex-boyfriend she’s been trying to get away from for months. He’s...a pain in the ass who doesn’t understand no means no.” The information drops my jaw slightly. “Not to mention he used to hit her. And hurt her. Those faded marks you’ve probably seen on her body she claims are from her being clumsy are mostly from him. Not gym accidents. Not work incidents. He hurt her and controlled her. Still tries. In fact yesterday was the first time she ever had the courage to stand up to him. Courage I’m sure she got from you.” Air leaks out of me like I have a punctured lung that can’t retain it. “You feel like a dick now huh? Good. Because you fucking should.”
Hurt her? He beat her? I’ll fucking kill him.
“Where’s she going now?”
Defeated Liv sighs, “Work. To quit.”
“Why would she quit? She loves working for Haven.”
“Because she has to hide from him, Dean. It’s not as simple as you’re thinking.”
“No.” I negate. “It’s not as complicated as you’re believing.”
Turning on my heel to rush after her, I hear Liv scream, “Where are you going?”
“To get my girl!” I yell back jogging towards the garage where my car is.
Damn it. Dad was right. Assuming shit never gets you anywhere.
Chapter 21
Megan
Wiping tears off my cheeks I head towards the back employee entrance of the store.
So basically all men, everywhere suck! All of them! Every single one!
A shadow catches my eye and I quickly turn just in time to receive a sharp smack across my face. Barely having time to recover I’m thrust into the wall by the neck, the grip around my throat tighter than it’s ever been.
“You don’t think I knew this would be your stop after class? The one place your guard dog wouldn’t follow you?” Marcus’ cold voice growls squeezing. “You were nothing when I found you. And you’re nothing without me.”
In an airy voice I say, “I can’t breathe...”
Clawing at his hand I try to break free, the gesture causing a sadistic smirk on his face.
What the hell is wrong with him? Do you see spots too?
Marcus shoves my head back against the brick again, the pain sharp, making my teeth rattle. He pounds my head again, a wet dribble of what has to be my own blood leaking down the back of my neck.
Suddenly his body is yanked off of mine and to the ground. I slide down helplessly against the wall to the ground, thankful for the ability to gasp for air. My eyes do their best to stay open, the vision of a large male wailing on him. Seeing fists swing back and forth, movements swift and rocking, the dizziness that’s whispering to me to close my eyes more and more enticing with each passing breath. There’s a sharp high pitched scream before I see one final flash of a face I’m relieved came.
Chapter 22
Dean
My head hits the back of the dingy white wall, fists throbbing now that they aren’t buried in that prick’s ribs breaking them one at a time. If I would’ve ended up at home instead of here they could’ve been iced or something to relieve the pain.
My dad’s a fucking MMA champ. The dick should be thankful the cops showed up when they did or he wouldn’t be fucking alive. He’s taught me more than just the basics of self-defense.
“Kellar.” The cop shows up on the other side of the bars. “Time to see the judge.”
Slinking out of the cell, I’m escorted to see the judge who looks anything but pleased at my presence. After being read the assault charges I’m being faced with and I receive a displeased, unexpected lecture about how he’s tired of seeing juveniles like me in his courtroom more frequently. With bail set at a price there’s no way in hell I have, I’m escorted back to my cell, not sure if I can call my parents to get me out of this.
That’s not really a fucking phone call I wanna make. But fuck, they’ll figure it out eventually right? Maybe if I call one of my uncles first instead it’ll be easier to deal with.
Frustrated I run my hands through my hair, shutting my eyes tightly. A million thoughts start to rush through my mind. Not a single one of them is about my future or my family that’s going to kill me, but all about Megan and the lifeless look in her eyes as she passed out.
I swear to God if she’s not alive, I’ll kill him. My. Fucking. Word.
Unsure of how long I’ve been running around in my own head, I’m startled by the sound of keys in the lock, the squeaking of the bars, all now the sweet sound of freedom. The guard clears his throat and states, “Kellar. Your bail has been posted.”
How...did you call someone?
Confused but thankful, I shuffle out of the cell, and around to the front of the building where I see my Uncle C.J. and Dad waiting for me.
Grounding me will never be as bad as spending the night in jail or living in fucking fear about what’s happening to the girl I love.
While I’m expecting disappointed looks on both their faces, I’m relieved when Dad says, “Let’s get to the hospital.”
My throat constricts. “
She’s...she’s still there.”
“Yeah,” Dad answers. “Alive. Breathing. Still unconscious, but vitals are stable.” Reaching him, he puts an arm around my shoulder. “We should probably hurry before Uncle Luke gets kicked out of the hospital or loses his job.”
Still having trouble processing the nightmare the last couple of days have been, I try to engage in the conversation, “Yeah?”
“I think he misses being an ER Nurse,” Uncle C.J. comments leading us in the direction of his SUV. “Not sure Hospital Administration is right for him even if it has better pay.”
“I think they miss having him,” Dad retorts, an arm still keeping me propped up as he directs me. “Did you see that look on Megan’s nurse’s face? What’s her name? Nancy?”
“Yeah,” he lets out a light chuckle at the same time my step stumbles.
Conversation between them continues while I climb into the backseat, a fog encompassing me to the point I’m not sure how I’m breathing any more.
Thank God I don’t have to think about that or I’d suffocate.
Somewhere between leaving lock up and the route to the hospital, I lean between the seats.
“How bad is it?”
“Your charges?” Uncle C.J. questions.
“Or your girl?” Dad turns to look at me.
“Both.” My shoulders drop.
“You’re facing some serious assault charges,” Uncle C.J. sighs. “By the price of your bail, time is what they’re gonna want.”
“I’ll pay back every cent,” my voice swears. “I’ll do it. I don’t care if I’m 65 still paying it back. Every penny dad. Every—”
“Kid.” He shakes his head. “Don’t.”
“But Dad—”
“Don’t.” A stern finger is pointed at me.
“The problem isn’t the money put up to get your ass out,” Uncle C.J. starts again. “It’s the fact that son of bitch you almost buried wants blood. Yours.” Pulling off the highway and up to a stop light he continues, “You know how on Law and Order they’re always worried about crooked cops.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, well that shit really exists.” His eyes find mine in the review mirror. “Except crooked isn’t what you’re thinking. They aren’t taking handouts from pimps and drug lords, they take donations from families with more than enough money to spare so when their brats stir up shit, everything falls in their favor. Evidence gets misplaced or misfiled. Roadblocks fly up to slow cases down. Random shit happens Kid. This doesn’t look good for you. The Delaney’s are not a family to be fucked with.”
“We, are not a family to be fucked with,” Dad harshly corrects him.
Uncle C.J. doesn’t say another word. He takes a left approaching the hospital. The rest of the car ride is silent as is the elevator ride up to the floor where Megan is. Bursting through the doors to where most of my family is hanging outside of a room, my heart immediately plummets to the pit of my stomach at the look on their solemn faces.
But she’s alive. Dad said she’s still alive.
Without saying a word Mom rushes at me and tosses her arms tightly around me. My face falls to her shoulder as I feel the tears I was holding back in the cell, in the car, on the ride up, claw to break free in the comfort of her arms.
Call me a fucking cry baby. I don’t care.
In a whisper I ask, “Can I see her Mom? Can I see her?”
Her hand rubs my back as she pulls back. “No one’s allowed in. Not right now. Not yet.”
On a deep breath I break away and walk over to the window where I can see her laying in the dark resting.
Or is she dying? Fuck. She can’t be dying.
“But that’s not true!” Liv’s voice comes exploding through the hall with a police officer beside her. “I’m her best friend! I can vouch for her!”
“That’s how it works ma’am,” he insists. “Now please stand back.”
“What’s the problem Officer?” Uncle C.J. pulls Aunt Erin into his side.
“This is a restraining order in effect on Miss Davis’ behalf in regards to one Dean Kellar,” the sound of my name smothers the tiny bit of hope inside of me.
“She’s in a coma!” Aunt Erin shrieks. “She can’t put out a restraining order on him!”
“On her behalf ma’am,” the officer repeats. “Please watch your tone.”
Uncle C.J. tugs at her to hush and Uncle Luke shoots her a similar stern look.
They just bailed one family member out. I don’t think they wanna do it twice.
“Who did it on her behalf?” Mom politely questions.
“Mr. Delaney. He’s listed as the contact and allowed to make such choices in her best interest—”
“It’s not her best interest!” Liv yells. “He’s trying to kill her!”
“Ma’am, you will need to leave as well.”
“Why!”
“Mr. Delaney wants no one to see her without his presence or acknowledgment.”
Liv shrieks, “That motherfu—”
“Hey,” Uncle Stuart catches her off guard. “We just bailed one kid out of jail, let’s not have to bail two.”
See.
“Stuart’s right,” Uncle Luke states firmly. “Let’s do as the officer instructed and wait in the waiting room.”
“Mr. Kellar is not allowed on the premises.” He hands me the paper.
Did that come with my fucking mug shot?
“Let me see that,” Uncle C.J. insists taking it from me.
Too shocked to say anything my eyes oscillate between my girl laying lifeless in the room unable to fight for herself and the cop out here robbing my chance to fight for her away from me.
I can’t fucking breathe.
After a moment Uncle C.J. shakes his head and mutters, “Unbelievable.”
“What?” Dad’s voice groans.
“He’s gotta get off the premises. And according to this if he even attempts contact with her before this is lifted, he goes back to jail.”
“Let’s go before this gets worse,” Uncle Luke insists ushering everyone towards the door. Mom grabs my hand to lead me away, Dad trailing a couple feet behind us.
Liv storms past everyone shouting, “Oh this isn’t over Marcus! Olivia Lopez doesn’t quit that easy!”
“I like her,” Aunt Erin hums to Uncle C.J. who is still reading the paper as we continue exiting. Mom drops my hand to answer her cell phone as she continues walking.
At that moment the pressure from the situation causes my body to try to collapse from under me. Dad’s arms fly around me before I can hit the ground and hold me tight. Not being able to hold in the pain any longer a deep sharp cry comes out of me. Tears start pouring from my eyes as I hold onto him tighter, the fear that I’ll never see Megan again so overwhelming my body tries to cave again.
“I gotchu Kid,” Dad’s voice says a little weary.
“What if she dies Dad?” my voice cries louder. “What if she dies and I never get to see her again? What if she dies before I get to tell her I love her?” More tears run away from me, the sobbing as hard as the ache in my chest. “What am I gonna do Dad?” A long strangled cry comes out of me. I struggle to breathe. I struggle to get air in my body before my own heart decides it no longer has a reason to beat, I whisper shakily, “I can’t live without her. Not again.” Tears pour harder out of me, my chest heaving heavily. “Not again Dad.”
With his own stifled cry and strong pat on the back he says the two words our family can always rely on. “I gotchu.”
I fucking hope so. I really do.
Chapter 23
Megan
With a long deep breath I open my eyes to see an injured Marcus sitting in the chair by the window looking at me.
Tell me I’m still fucking dreaming please. Tell me this nightmare is almost over.
“Kitten, I’m sorry,” he sighs softly, the tone the same one he always uses when his temper gets away from him. “I didn’t mean to do what I did. I was just...I was j
ust so upset you tried to replace me.”
Not saying anything I hit the button to let the nurse know I’m awake.
I’ve seen enough fucking movies to know how that works.
“I love you Megan,” Marcus states standing, the wincing in pain making me wish it didn’t hurt to move so I could smile that he got a taste of his own medicine. From the looks of his black eye, arm that’s in a sling, and the limp he’s sporting I would say Dean won that battle.
But if he did, why isn’t he here in this room?
“I need you to forgive me,” he continues, his hand wrapping around mine. “Forgive me and give me a second chance and I’ll give you what you want.”
“I want away from you,” I whisper trying to snatch my hand away.
“You want me to make sure your little indiscretion doesn’t go to prison.” The sharp gasp hurts much more than my chest. “Which he will if you don’t agree to be with me. I guarantee it.” My eyes widen. “So how much do you really love him Megan?”
The nurse opens the door with a bright smile, “Hello. I’m Nancy. It’s good to see you’re awake.”
“Isn’t it?” Marcus smiles down at me. “I’ve missed her.”
“Isn’t that...sweet...” she says sounding like she’s skeptical, “The doctor will be right in to talk to you and get you checked out. Sir if you could step out for a moment.”
“I’m allowed to hear,” his attention flies to her.
“I have no doubt, but the doctor will want to examine the patient one final time and check vitals without family in the room. Protocol,” she offers another smile.
“Fine,” he groans giving my hand one more squeeze. “I love you Megan.”
I don’t reply as he strolls out of the room. Shutting the door behind him, she walks over and pretends to fluff my pillows. “He’s right on the other side of the glass isn’t he? Blink twice if the answer is yes.” I do. “Your friend Liv warned me about him. You don’t want him here do you? Blink once for no.” I do. She lifts my wrist like she’s checking my pulse. “The problem is he will try to declare you incompetent to make choices like having him removed and since you don’t have any other family listed we don’t have a choice but to comply with his wishes. However, if you were to happen to be discharged early while he is expecting you to be discharged later, there would be no choice but to let a trusted friend take you home as long as you insist you’ve already spoken with him. Mix ups like that happen from time to time. If you catch my drift and this is the plan you would like to take blink twice.” I do. “Good girl.”