by Harley Reid
“Everything alright mate?” he asks, as though he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“I know she’s here. Where is she.” He opens the door wider, trying to block the entry with his scrawny body. He looks as depressing as the street that we’re on dressed in black jeans and jumper, as if he’s going to a really casual funeral.
“Who? Is everything okay?” He plays dumb as I look him up and down. Even with the cloud cover, the day has been exceptionally warm so what is he doing covered from head to toe?
“Don’t fuck with me Jay. Where is Mia?” I growl, spraying saliva everywhere. Then I notice a bruise forming on his temple and can’t contain my temper any longer. I lunge at him, landing a punch on his chin and knocking him back into the house enough for me and Lexi to gain entry inside.
I charge at him, slamming his body against the wall behind, pinning him by the throat with my left hand. My fingers tighten as he gulps for air.
“Ethan, don’t. We need to know where she is.” I know she’s right, but I can’t control myself. As his fingers claw at my hand trying to force me to loosen my grip, I ball my hand into a fist and draw my elbow back.
“I’m not going to ask you again.” I spit, momentarily releasing my grip to rest my aching fingers, before tightening it again. “Where. Is. She!”
“Okay, okay. She’s downstairs.” He gasps as I release him from my grasp and he collapses in a heap on the floor, looking up at me with wide eyes while gripping his neck and breathing heavily.
“Through the kitchen. There’s a door leading to the basement. Go see if she’s there.” Before I have chance to finish the sentence, Lexi has disappeared into the living room and I can hear her voice in the distance as she calls the emergency services.
“I’ve found her. She’s unconscious but she’s breathing. Ambulance and police are on their way.” I hear Lexi yelling in the distance.
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t fucking kill you right now?” He pushes himself to his feet, cowering in front of me.
“I did it for you.” I can barely hear his raspy whisper. “I was driving over to see you and I saw her with some guy in the village. She’s cheating on you, just like Sam and she needed to be punished.”
“She isn’t cheating on me you moron.” I yell.
“That’s exactly what Sam said before…” He hesitates, “But she was lying. I saw how much she hurt you with her lies and I care about you. I needed to protect you, that’s why I did what I did.” He continues to ramble as I zone out, trying to wrap my head around everything.
Wait. What?
What the hell has Sam got to do with this?
It takes a few more seconds of his rambling for me to realise that not only had he taken Mia and put her in danger. He also took my wife away from me, leaving Maddie to grow up without a mother. Fury courses through my veins. He was my best friend. I trusted him.
Without hesitation I hit him, causing his head to ricochet off the wall behind him. His nose bursts open, blood spattering everywhere as he crumples to the floor unconscious.
I wait with Jamison until the police arrive and apprehend him before racing down to the basement, thudding down the worn stairs that feel like they will snap under my load at a moments notice, to finally be with Mia.
When I enter the room, I see Lexi in the corner trying desperately to wake Mia up. Glancing around I spot a couple of empty vials on the floor and immediately I can tell he’s given her something to subdue her.
The walk across to her takes an eternity but once I reach her, Lexi moves aside. Taking her in my arms, I kiss her forehead and stand. Her hair is matted in the back with dried blood, her skin is flushed, with deep bruising to her face and around her wrists. She is banged up, but by the looks of it, she definitely put up a fight.
Without saying a word, I carry her up the stairs towards the sound of the approaching sirens and once outside I sit down on the curb, cradling her in my arms until they arrive.
“I’m so sorry baby. I’m so sorry.” I snivel. “Please be okay. I’m not ready to lose you yet.” As the paramedics park up and fuss around us, I gently lay her on to the stretcher, kissing her purple tinged lips. “I love you.”
Sitting back down on the curb edge, I watch as they slide her into the back of the ambulance and drive away. Lexi slumps down beside me and puts her head on my shoulder.
“The police want to talk to you.” She sighs. “Then I’ll drive you to the hospital so you can get checked over.”
I sit impatiently on the edge of the hospital trolley, waiting for the doctor to come and discharge me. It’s been a long wait and if one more nurse comes at me with fluids, I’m going to go insane. How many times do I have to explain to them that I’m a professional fighter and have to cut weight for a fight that’s just over a week away?
I haven’t seen Mia since they bundled her into the back of the ambulance, and I watched the blue flashing lights disappear into the distance.
The police needed me to answer some questions before coming here to be checked over, so I have no idea if she’s even awake yet.
This day did not turn out the way I thought it would.
This morning I was happier than I’ve been in a long time, and now… Well, my best friend kidnapped my girlfriend and then drops the bomb that he was the one responsible for my wife’s death,
What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?
The door swings open and Sarah is standing in front of me, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I roll my eyes, “Don’t worry, you don’t have to postpone the fight.”
She tucks her hair behind her ear and groans, “That wasn’t what I was asking. I’m not bothered about the fight… Well, I am but your health is more important.” She strides across the room and lowers herself into the empty chair in the corner. “What the fuck happened today?”
I really don’t have time for this. I need to find her, make sure she’s okay and find out when I can take her home.
Jamison is in custody, I saw them take him away in cuffs as I was being questioned but now, I’m left with this overwhelming need to keep her safe.
“Where the fuck is this doctor?” I step down off the trolley, pull my trousers on and swap the stupid hospital gown for my t-shirt before leaving the room and heading towards the nurse’s station.
Demanding the discharge papers, I sign them and hand them back to her. “Can you tell me where I can find Mia Cooper?” I ask as Sarah appears beside me.
“Sorry, we can only give information on patients to their relatives.” She smiles sweetly, filing the papers in the cabinet in the desk between us.
“I’m her boyfriend. I’m the one that… Forget it. Don’t worry.” I turn and walk away, looking around at the names on the doors and seeing if I can spot Lexi.
“Ethan, where are you…” Sarah trails behind trying to stop me.
If no one is going to tell me where she is then I’ll just have to find her myself.
It takes me about an hour of wandering around the hospital but eventually I find the room with a white board outside that reads ‘Cooper’. I open the door tentatively and see Mia sleeping like an angel but before I get a chance to go to her, her mum is body blocking me in the doorway, forcing me to take a step back into the corridor as she follows.
“You shouldn’t be here.” I can tell by the way she’s standing, lips pursed and hands on hips, that she’s pissed.
“I’m here for Mia.” I try to push past her into the room but for a small woman, she’s pretty strong. Like a mother bear protecting her cub. “I just want to see her and make sure she’s okay.”
“Don’t you think you’ve done enough?” She growls. “She wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. You were supposed to protect her and instead, you nearly got her killed. You are just as guilty as that psychopath in custody and if you think for one minute, I’m letting you anywhere near my daughter, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“I
would never…” I hesitate for a second. “I love her. I would never do anything to put her in danger.”
“If you actually mean that you’ll walk away and let her live her life and be happy. As long as you’re in her life, you’re putting her in danger.”
“But…” I try to get past her again, but I can feel the eyes of the nurses on me as she blocks my path again.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my daughter. Don’t make me call security and have you removed from the premises.”
At that moment, Sarah appears beside me and apologises to Dr Cooper on my behalf and then ushers me away.
Am I really putting Mia in danger by being with her? Of course I am, I mean, it’s not like I have a great track record. Everyone I love gets taken from me too soon. First my parents, then Sam and now Mia. Honestly, I’m surprised Sarah is still here.
I knew getting involved with someone like her would end badly, but I was so lonely and intrigued by her that I let myself fall for her anyway — even though I knew she’d get hurt. I just never realised this is how she would get hurt.
She’s right. This is my fault.
I can’t blame her mum for getting angry and telling me to leave. Mia deserves better than me and I need to let her be happy before I hurt her all over again. It’s funny because, I thought I’d end up walking away because I couldn’t love her but instead, it’s because I love her too much.
Getting into Sarah’s car, I rub my face in my hands before leaning back against the headrest and sitting in silence while she drives me home.
I wake, squinting as the florescent lighting burns my eyes and the sound of voices linger in the distance. Through blurred vision I see a figure dressed in white leaving the room. Feeling disoriented, I glance around the room as pain rips through my body.
My thoughts are foggy, but I recognise the beep of a heart monitor as the smell of bleach rises from my crisp white sheets, making my stomach churn.
The last thing I remember is leaving the coffee house and walking back to the house through the woods, hoping that Peter didn’t follow me. Then, it all goes blank.
Oh my god, Maddie! I try to lift myself up from the firm mattress and any energy I have quickly drains from my body causing me to collapse back and close my eyes, realising that Maddie is safe and on holiday with her friend.
When I finally summon the power to open my eyes again, I notice the flowers and get well soon card neatly placed on the rolling table to the left of me and wonder how long I have been here. Just as I’m about the try to sit up, the door swings open and my mum walks towards me.
“How are you feeling sweetheart?” she asks, taking my hand as she sits beside me and smiles. My heart sinks. Where’s Ethan? Why am I in hospital?
“What happened?” I croak, feeling like I’ve been hit by a bus. “Has someone called Ethan to let him know I’m here?”
“He knows you’re here darling.” She stares at me nervously, “He was with you when you were brought in and needed to be checked over himself but none of us have heard from him since… I suspect he’s just been busy. Doesn’t he have a fight coming up?”
Tears sting my eyes as my brain makes sense of her words and I roll over to face the pale walls wanting to be alone.
I let him convince me that he was different, that he loved me but all this time I’ve just been some live-in booty call.
How could I let this happen again?
I don’t know if it is the sorrow, anger, strong medication, or a mixture of all three but I make a promise to myself, never to let myself get hurt like this again. I make the decision that I don’t need a man to make me happy and I certainly don’t need Ethan Brooks. I can’t believe he hasn’t been to see how I am!
As I lay there for what feels like a lifetime, mum doesn’t move. I still don’t really know what happened to me, but it must have been awful for her to be glued to my side like this.
Finally, I roll over to face her, mustering up a crooked smile. Her and Lexi are all I have left so maybe I should give her a chance, at least she’s here.
“Darling?” She whispers, “I know it’s not what you want to hear right now but, there are plenty more fish in the sea and frankly, if he can’t find ten minutes on his way home to pop in and see if you’re okay, then he is not worth a single one of your tears.”
“Mum?” I sob, “Do you know what happened?”
“You were abducted sweetheart. By one of Ethan’s friends.” She sighs. “I told you that man was trouble, but you had to find out the hard way didn’t you. Stubborn, just like your father.”
The door creaks open and a uniformed police officer peers around it with a concerned expression on his chubby round face.
“Ah miss, you’re awake.” He forces a smile, trying to make me feel comfortable and to some extent, it works, “I was wondering if we could ask you a few questions about what happened earlier today.”
“She doesn’t remember anything.” My mum booms, trying to shoo him out of the room.
“It’s okay mum, can you go get me a drink of water while I talk to them please.”
She nods her head and saunters out of the room as the officer enters the room and takes the seat my mother has been sitting in, his partner pulling out his notepad and waiting.
I tell the officers everything that I remember, from waking up in the dark basement, trying to escape and then waking up here. I’m not sure what good it will do because I don’t really remember much, and my brain is still a little foggy due to the medication I have been given.
“Is he in custody?” I ask, tears pricking at my eyes again as they are about the leave.
“He is. Luckily, your friend had detained him when we arrived, so he was transported and processed straight away. It appears he hit you from behind initially rendering you unconscious before using chloroform to keep you in that state until he got you back to his house and was able to tie you up. You are very lucky that your friends found you when they did.” They go through the door but just before it closes behind him, he pops his head back through. “If you remember anything else, please contact us. Your mother has our contact details.”
A few moments after they leave, mum comes steps back into the room and resumes her position at my side.
“I’ve just spoken with your doctor and he has agreed that you can come home with me this evening. They wanted to keep you in for observation, but I managed to convince them you will be much better at home in your own bed.” It isn’t my home anymore, and it hasn’t been my bed for many years but then I think about Lexi’s couch — the only other option I have — and I don’t have the energy or inclination to argue.
Taking a deep breath, I sigh as I scroll through the contacts on my phone, staring aimlessly at Mia’s number for what is probably the hundredth time, but I don’t call. I never do. Her mum was right. All of this was my fault and the best thing I can do for her is to just stay away.
How did I not know that my best friend was so dangerous? How could I invite someone like that into our lives, let him spend time with the people I love? The fight is in two days and I haven’t seen her since I found her laying unconscious on Jamison’s floor and I can’t shake the image of her like that.
I just need to know that she’s okay.
Pressing the green button to dial Lexi’s number, I know I’m playing a dangerous game but I’m running out of options, but it starts to ring and there’s no going back. I’m not entirely sure she’ll answer anyway and it’s not like I can go over to the house and wait outside because the minute I see Mia, I won’t be able to stay away. I have the breaking strain of a Kit Kat around her.
I rub my neck as the ringing continues, debating whether or not to leave a message and just as I’m about to hang up, everything goes quiet.
“She’s not here.” She answers softly but I know she’s lying. Where else would she be?
“I just need to know that she’s okay and I won’t call again.” I wince as the words leave my mout
h, soaked in desperation.
“She’s fine but you not calling is why we’re in this mess in the first place.”
As much as it kills me to admit it, I need to give her the space she needs. I want her to be happy, even if that means I have to sacrifice my feelings in the process.
“I just want her to be happy.” Before I get the words out, the line goes dead. I gulp down my whiskey and fuelled by rage, throw my glass across the room, watching as it crashes against the wall, shattering into a thousand pieces.
A few seconds later, the doorbell echoes and I stumble to the front door to find Lexi standing in front of me with an empty box in her hand. Then she barges past me and disappears into the house.
“I was on my way over anyway. Mia asked me to come and pick up her things.”
I follow her into the living room, both of us avoiding the shards of glass scattered across the floor and slump down on to the leather sofa as she places the box onto the table and starts opening the blinds. Sunlight spills in, burning my eyes so I have to shield them with my arm until they adjust.
“Jesus, you look like crap. When was the last time you had a shower? You freaking reek.”
There’s pity in her eyes and I hate myself for being such a mess. I knew it was a bad idea to get involved with her, but I did it anyway, even knowing how much I could get hurt and now I’m back in this same position again. Only, this time it’s worse. I’ve lost the woman I love and have to deal with the fact that I was the one responsible for putting her in danger. She’s better off without me.
I let him into my life knowing that he was seriously messed up. How can you not be when you witness your mum shooting your dad? But it was me, inviting him into my life, allowing him into my family, putting everyone in my life at risk because I didn’t see that he needed help.
I did this to her, and I couldn’t protect her when she needed me, just like I couldn’t protect Sam.
“Okay, here’s what is going to happen right now.” Lexi waves her arms in front of my face to get my attention. “I am going to pack some of Mia’s stuff and clean this place up, and you are going to shower. Then we’re going to sit down and you’re going to tell me what the fuck is going on.”