Saving Us

by Heather D'Agostino

  “It’s not fair!” she yelled as she stormed at him, and slugged him right in the stomach.

  I watched the muscles tense, and his face mask the discomfort that she was inflicting on him, but he didn’t flinch. “Come on, you can do better than that,” he teased, causing her to put her whole body into it.

  “I hate you!” she cried. “I hate you for everything you ever did to me. You never loved me! Never cared!” She hammered away at his chest and stomach with her tiny fists and my best friend stood there taking every bit of it. “You were a coward. You said you loved me. You said you’d always be there. All you brought me was pain and fear,” her shoulders heaved as she panted, trying to catch her breath. “I loved you,” she cried and sniffed before her eyes turned to make contact with mine.

  We stood there just staring at one another, and when I looked at Wes, he nodded in acceptance. We exchanged a silent thank you before I moved closer and attempted to wrap Maddie in my arms. “I loved him,” she whimpered as she buried her face in my chest, “and he almost killed me.”

  “I know, baby,” I soothed. “I know.”

  “What if he wins,” she whispered without looking up. “I can’t do this anymore.”

  “He’s not going to win,” I cupped her cheek and tilted her head toward mine. “I promise. He’s not going to win,” I leaned down and brushed my lips over hers. “Let’s get you cleaned up, and then go home and go to bed.”

  “Ok,” she mumbled before pulling out of my embrace.

  I don’t know how I’m going to guarantee it, but that asshole is going where he deserves. He’s tormented my Maddie long enough. She’s been afraid for far too long. I’ve seen what she’s like when she’s away from all of this. Those four days at the cabin were magical, and I intend to make every day magical. I want the carefree, happy-go-lucky Maddie back, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get that.

  Chapter 17

  Maddie

  I don’t remember leaving the gym. I don’t remember the ride home, and I really don’t remember getting into the bathtub, but here I am, wrapped in Cole’s arms as I cry silently. Richard had broken something in me long ago. It wasn’t like a crack that slowly widened. It was more like a tear. A tear that had jagged edges, and couldn’t be put back together as it once was. My heart shattered that night. My faith and the belief that I could change him were forever gone. Richard had taken what little bit of hope I’d clung to, and ripped it away from me that night.

  Sitting in that courtroom and having to relive it was like I was right back in that hospital room trying to remember what had happened. I didn’t know how I got there. I assumed Richard called for the ambulance, at least that’s what the nurse implied. He never came after me though. He acted as if I was insignificant. I wasn’t of any importance to him any longer, but now all of a sudden he wants to control me. Why? Why the change?

  Cole’s muscled chest pressed against my back slowly brought me back to the present. He was gently washing me and placing light kisses on my shoulder as he whispered about how much he loved me.

  “Tell me it’s going to get easier,” I murmured as I relaxed deeper into him.

  “It will, baby. Give it time. He’s never coming near you again.” The deep timbre of Cole’s voice began to lull me. “I promise,” his hands abandoned their movements on my arms, and he wrapped them around my waist, securing me to him.

  “Why do you love me?” I whispered as a tear slipped from the corner of my eye and began dripping down my cheek.

  He paused for a moment letting my words sink in before attempting to answer. “You’re beautiful, strong, smart,” he kissed my cheek as he continued. “Sexy, caring, and you always think of others first. You saw me, the real me, even though I hid from you. You made me believe I was good enough,” Cole slid back, straightening himself up as he hugged me tighter. “I’ve never met someone like you, Maddie.”

  I turned my head so I could look into his eyes, “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” his hands rose to cup my cheeks as I turned to face him. His thumb wiped at the tears before he leaned in and pressed his mouth to mine. “You deserve to be loved, and I’m always gonna love you. No matter what. Nothing from your past is gonna make me run. Nothing. Do you hear that?”

  He pulled back to stare at my eyes, and after blinking the tears away, I nodded. “I could say the same for you,” I sniffed as I linked my hands behind his neck. “Nothing you ever tell me will make me run,” I stressed as I connected our lips once again.

  The kiss was soft, sweet, and unhurried. Our lips melded together as if they were once joined and were now trying to find their way back, wanting to be whole again. I parted mine on a sigh, and Cole’s tongue slowly slipped past them. It was tentative, almost like a first kiss would be. He was trying to make sure I was ok. He wanted me to lead, and that thought alone almost broke me. Cole’s need to put me first was one thing that made me open up and let him in. He always knew what I needed at just the right time, and I wondered how I’d ever be able to explain what that meant to me.

  Without words, we slowly rose to our feet. Cole grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around me before lifting me in his arms. I snuggled against his chest, and then tipped my head back to make contact with his eyes. His lips lifted on one side as a small smile grew across his handsome face. It wasn’t cocky, or expectant, it was more like understanding. He just knew me, and what I needed, and he was trying to silently tell me that he’d give me everything I wanted and more.

  “I love you,” he murmured as he began carrying me into the bedroom, water still dripping from him. “You’re beautiful, and special, and deserve to be treasured.” He placed me in the center of the bed before climbing up beside me. As his warm body pressed into the side of mine, I couldn’t help but sigh in pleasure. One hand began to brush small strands of hair away from my forehead as he cupped my face. His chocolate eyes held love as he leaned in leisurely and placed a kiss to my lips. I hummed in satisfaction, wrapping my arms around him, and tugging him by his shoulders trying to get closer.

  Cole didn’t disappoint. His right leg lifted as he burrowed his knee between my legs while shifting his weight. His hand left my cheek to move to my breast giving it a gentle squeeze. “Are you sure about this?” he whispered. “I don’t want push you.”

  My eyes fluttered open as I stared at him, tears trickling down my face. “I love you, and I love that you care,” I cupped his cheek. “Make love to me,” I lifted my head just long enough to brush my lips over his, convincing him I wanted this.

  Cole began to knead my breast harder as his lips left my face and trailed down my neck. “So beautiful,” he murmured as he moved over my ear and nipped at it. The hand on my breast began to trail down my side, cupping my hip, before drifting between my legs. As soon as his fingers trailed over me, I couldn’t stop my back from bowing off the bed. Cole knew how to make love to me. He was an expert, he proved this every time we were together, but tonight was different.

  I could feel him throbbing against my thigh, his restraint slipping as the seconds ticked by. His kisses were slow and leisurely, but his fingers were on a mission. They knew where to move and what to do to get me to the point of mindlessness. “Let go,” his deep voice was strained. “I’m here; I’ll catch you. Let go,” he plunged deep into the recesses of my soul dragging an earth shattering orgasm out of me.

  I felt it rushing to the surface at top speed as my body trembled. White lights burst behind my eyelids as sharp pants escaped my lips. “Cole?” I gasped. As my legs began to jerk against him, my eyes rolled back, and the bed shifted catching me off guard.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful when you come. I can’t hold off anymore,” Cole’s voice was raspy as he hovered over me. My eyes flew open when he leaned down, pressing his cock against my entrance. “So beautiful,” he pressed his hips forward and my body yielded to his invasion, accepting everything he was trying to give me.

  “Mmmm,” I moaned when he
was fully seated inside me. His bare chest pressed against my breasts as one hand supported his weight while the other gripped my hip.

  “I know, baby,” he hissed as I squeezed him. His eyes pinched shut before he released a ragged breath and began moving inside me. His hips pulled and pushed in a slow, languid pace as his breathing began to speed up.

  “Stop holding back,” I lifted my head to press my mouth against his. “I won’t break. Stop holding back.”

  His eyes darkened as his hips began to move faster, creating the same sensations his fingers had done moments ago, only this was more powerful. I could see the restraint reappear on his face, and his hips picked up speed. I lifted my legs to wrap them around his waist. I felt his cock swell moments before he froze and his entire body shuddered, and then collapsed on top of me.

  He rolled us to the side, wrapping his arms around me and holding me to him. We laid there for quite some time still connected and breathing heavily. It was as if we didn’t want the moment end, and bring us back to our current reality. Richard hadn’t entered my mind since I’d left the gym, and as Cole began to stroke my back, I knew why. He was my new reality. Richard held the past, Cole held the future, and he was trying with everything he had, to prove to me that the past didn’t have to define us.

  “I love you,” he whispered the words again as he slipped from inside me. He’d said them so many times tonight that I’d lost count, but I think that was the point. He wanted me to understand my worth. He wanted me to let him in the rest of the way. He wanted to tear down the last of the bricks that made up the wall I’d built around my heart all those years ago.

  As I snuggled into Cole’s embrace, I let sleep over take me. I was tired, and after those mind-numbing orgasms, I knew I’d rest. The darkness brought the quiet with it, and Cole and I drifted off into a deep, well-deserved sleep.

  ooooooooo

  Cole

  “Get the fuck out!” My sister’s screech caused me to bolt upright in bed. “I don’t want you here!” she continued as I heard a glass shatter. I peered over where Maddie was still sound asleep and shook my head in amazement that she hadn’t been awakened the way I had.

  “I’m not leaving!” Wes’s voice joined in on the ruckus as another glass shattered, causing me to leap from bed and yank on a pair of sweatpants. After tugging a shirt over my head, I quickly rushed to where the noise was coming from hoping to get there before my sister and best friend woke up my girlfriend.

  “Hey!” I called. “What the hell is going on out here?” I rounded the corner just in time to see my best friend smirking at my sister as she placed a glass back on the counter and looked at me guiltily.

  “Sorry,” she cringed. “I didn’t know you guys were here.”

  “It’s six in the morning. Why wouldn’t I be here,” I scowled as I scrubbed my hands down my face and went in search of a broom and dust pan.

  Angela narrowed her eyes on Wes before turning to face me, “Since you’re here,” she paused, “tell my guard dog he can leave.” She pointed at the door, and then crossed her arms over her chest.

  “He’s still out on bail,” Wes scowled. “I’m not letting you out of my sight until he’s locked away.”

  Angela threw her hands up in the air before moving to a chair and slumping down into it. Wes chuckled, and my sister lifted the glass she’d filled only moments before. I gave him a warning look. “Why are you up this early?” I turned back to her hoping to diffuse the situation while I bent down to clean up the broken glass before someone cut themselves.

  “I needed to go to the bathroom, then I wanted something to drink,” she rolled her eyes. “I get up like a thousand times a night with this lima bean in me,” she pointed at her stomach where she was just now starting to get a small bump.

  “What are you doing here?” I turned to my best friend.

  “I followed her home from work last night,” he rolled his eyes. “Angel here likes to flirt,” he motioned with his finger. “I had to put two different sleaze bags in their place last night. I wanted to make sure she got home ok. It was late. I was tired,” he shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d mind if I crashed on the couch.”

  “I don’t,” I wrinkled my forehead.

  “Yeah, well he didn’t bother to tell me he was staying,” Angela growled.

  “I shouldn’t have to,” Wes barked back. “It’s not your place. It’s his,” he pointed at me and smirked.

  “When I got my water I went to sit right there,” she pointed at the couch and shivered in disgust. “When I rounded the end, there he was,” she began blushing as she went from crossing her arms to putting her hands on her hips to back to crossing them once again.

  “I’m confused,” I sighed as I moved into the kitchen to start the coffee.

  “Your best friend is a perv,” Angela made a gagging motion. “He was…he had his hand,” she shivered again as she stuttered before turning and storming down the hall to slam her bedroom door.

  I spun to stare at my best friend, “You better not have been beating off on my couch.”

  “You were fucking in my bed at the cabin. I found it a fair trade,” he smirked as he flopped back on the couch and tossed his feet up on my coffee table.

  I shook my head at him, and shuffled into the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee and empty the dustpan. “What the fuck happened while I was sleeping last night?” I muttered to myself. After getting my coffee, I moved into the living room, and lowered myself onto the chair across from Wes. I didn’t want to think about getting ass sweat, or whatever else he’d rubbed on my sofa on me.

  “Why do you like to piss off my sister so much?” I mumbled against the lip of my mug.

  “It’s fun,” he chuckled. “I didn’t have a sister growing up. You know that. I like to think of her like my sister, too.”

  “She’s gonna come after you one day if you don’t lighten up. I know I asked you to keep an eye on her, but don’t be so in her face about it,” I sighed as I watched a faraway look slip over Wes’s face. “You ok?” I kicked at where his foot was propped up.

  “I’m fine,” he grumbled as he stood up, and made his way into the kitchen. I could hear him banging around in the cabinets as he fixed his own cup of coffee. “Don’t get all girly and shit on me,” he called. “I’m not going to be all touchy feely just because you are now.”

  “Fuck you,” I called at his back.

  “I wouldn’t know what that feels like. I haven’t gotten laid in a month,” he huffed before waltzing back in. He folded himself on the couch and took a sip of coffee before letting his head fall back. “In all seriousness, I’m there for you man, and I’ll be there for her too…if she’ll let me.”

  “Thanks,” I sighed as I turned to glance out the window beside me. “I might need that help sooner than you think.”

  “Just say the word,” Wes mumbled.

  “That asshole’s not coming anywhere near her again,” I pointed to the hall where Maddie lay sound asleep in a room at the end of it. “I don’t know how I’m gonna do it, but he’s not gonna bother her when this is all said and done regardless of what happens with that trial.”

  “Bro,” Wes warned. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

  “When I’m around her, I’m not me. I’m better. She makes me better, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to show her she’s worthy of love.” I could sense the coldness seeping into my veins. That feeling that I’d pushed aside since my father’s death. It was always there, buried beneath surface waiting to be unleashed. Richard had unearthed a monster. He just didn’t know it yet, and this time he was the one who should be scared, not the other way around.

  “Don’t do something stupid,” Wes warned.

  “I’m not,” I mumbled as my grip tightened on my mug. “This will be the smartest thing I have ever done.”

  Chapter 18

  Maddie

  “Morning,” his soft voice drifted into my subconscious as I snuggled deeper into the c
overs. I didn’t want to get up and face the day, but I knew I needed to. Hannah had been great about giving me time off work. I had honestly thought I might lose my job over all this, and that truly worried me, but after everyone at the clinic heard about the case things changed. Friends I didn’t even realize I had, came to help. They covered my shifts, and reassured me that everything was going to be fine. I almost felt like I wasn’t needed, things ran so well without me.

  “Maddie,” he tried again, this time placing a kiss to my neck right below my ear.

  “Too tired,” I mumbled as I tugged the covers up and over my head.

  “I didn’t want to do this, but you’ve left me no choice,” he chuckled right before his fingers began to dig into my sides to tickle me. He shoved the covers aside, and pinned me to the bed with his body as he peppered my face with kisses and his hands tickled every spot he could reach.

  “Stop!” I gasped as I twisted to the side as I tried to escape him. “Please stop!” I laughed. I was no match for Cole, and when I opened my eyes to see his boyish smile, I couldn’t help but giggle. He looked so young and carefree, and I almost forgot about what we’d both been through lately.

  “Do you give?” He halted his assault and tilted his head to the side as a piece of hair flopped down on his forehead and across his eyes. “I can go all day if not.”

  “Yes, yes, yes,” I batted his hands away. “I give.”

  “That’s what I thought,” he smirked as he rolled over and let me up. “My sister wants to do something with you today. She says she wants a break from Wes, so I agreed to go with you guys.”

  “Huh?” I rubbed my eyes, and blinked at him.

  “Are you awake?” he chuckled. “I thought you were.”

  “Yes, I’m awake but why does your sister want to hang out with me?” I was confused. Angela hadn’t shown any interest in being around me before. I mean, it would be nice to be friends, but I wasn’t really worried about it. I didn’t really have friends that were girls. I had Erin and Jo, but we weren’t super close. Thinking about Erin caused me to frown. I hadn’t talked to her in weeks. I haven’t been to a meeting, and that’s usually where we see each other. She hasn’t been at the gym any time I’ve been, and I haven’t tried to call her. She probably thinks the worst of me now.