Repair Me

by Melissa Phillips

  I panted between my words as I tried to stay calm. But he didn't buy it. “You always were a dumb little bitch, Avery. Davien's at work. You're all alone.” He reached his arm around my waist and pulled me against his chest. “You miss me, don't you?”

  I felt sick to my stomach as I listened to his words. But I didn't answer his question. I stood alone frozen, thoughts ran through my head of the many things he could do to me. We were alone, no one to save me. “You realized he's just a boy. You're already tired of it, huh?” He nodded his head for me, answering his own question. He cupped my chin and pulled my lips until we barely touched when he spoke. “You need a man though, Avery. I miss you so much baby. Just come home. I know you are ready. Sometimes people need a break and I gave you a very generous break baby. But it's time to come home.”

  His hand reached from the hem of my shirt and began raising it without my permission. My hands tried to pull it back, but his strength took over me. “Please..” He put his hand over my mouth very lightly.

  “Oh, Avery, don't fight it. Don't fight the feelings. Davien will never be the man you need. He's a boy toy baby.” He laughed. His hands dropped from my mouth and returned to my shirt. Freeing my clothing fully off my chest, he began fondling my unwilling breasts. “We can start over. You can return to school, you can move back home.”

  I still never spoke. I didn't know how to reply to his questions or demands. My answers would never be what he wanted to hear. Unable to move with both of his hands pulling at my bare breasts, I stood watching him as he looked around the living room. I assumed he had never placed a foot in the townhouse apartment before. “Look at this little place, Avery. Is this what you want? You want to live with a bunch of rock stars that will never even make it big? You deserve so much more. That Davien guy is no good anyways, Baby.” He shook his head as he began unbuttoning the top to my pants. My hands dropped over his to stop him, but he shook mine off. “Davien sleeps around, he's fucked every woman in town.... including you.” My brows cringed at the thought.

  His voice stayed calm as he tried to comfort me. I knew that Davien had slept around in the past and I didn't like it. I didn't want a husband that I couldn't trust. But I forced myself to believe in Davien. That he loved me. He really did. But when he was gone and I was alone, where was he? What did Anthony know that I didn't? Was he here to tell me the truth. Did he catch Davien with another woman? I didn't want to believe it, but I knew it was possible. And if so, I had no where to run to... except Anthony. “Avery, have I ever cheated on you?” I looked into his eyes and shook my head. “And I never will baby. You are too much to lose. I would never sleep with another woman.... unlike Davien.”

  I knew he was telling the truth, at least about his self. Maybe Anthony and I didn't have the best past, but was never the type of man that would cheat. He wasn't the type of guy to spot in the pack of a bar with girls dangling off his arms. Or the type to have his mouth stuck around a woman's neck as his hand was gripped on another woman's rear end.

  Anthony released the button to the top of my pants and his hand dropped as he lowered my zipper. With my squinted eyes looking over Anthony's shoulder, I looked through the half opened door. My eyes widened when I saw Justin running full speed through the front door. I backed away from Anthony's arm, his face changed when he saw my facial expressions. With his back to the front door, I heard the loud sound when Justin kicked the door fully open and within seconds, his arms wrapped around Anthony's neck and pulled him backwards.

  Lying flat on his back, Anthony lay in shock as he watched Justin standing over him. Justin stood with a foot on each side of Anthony's limp body. He bent down to bring his face against Anthony's. “I would normally give you the 5 second rule. The 5 seconds to get your shit together and run as fast as you can. But today that rule is gone. You fucked with the wrong person, Anthony.” Justin stood from Anthony's face and looked at me as he shook his head with disrespect. “Put some clothes on, Avery!” He screamed.

  He was mad, he was beyond mad. He never called me 'Avery', never! I pulled my shirt over my head after I took it from the floor. Justin returned to Anthony and his nostrils were flaming and his top teeth bit through his bottom lip. “Stop Justin, don't hurt him. Please!”

  “You want him, Avery? That's what you want?” He pointed at Anthony as my ex laid still watching between the two of us. I saw the large lump in Anthony's throat as he tried to breath. “We can drop this shit right now and I will walk away, Avery, if this is what you want.”

  I shook my head. “Then take you ass to the basement, Avery, and don't come up. It ain't gonna be pretty.” I ran my fingers back through my hair and gripped at my shirt with fear. Tears were falling from my face and my lips were shivering. I shook my head as he watched for my exit. His anger built stronger when he walked away from Anthony for the second time. He approached me with black eyes, he pulled my face to look at him and spoke softly, but his fingers dug deep into my chin as he caught my attention. “Avery, please. He was going to rape you. Davien would never let me leave this house without beating the shit out of him. Go downstairs!” He pulled my face until his lips met my forehead. “You deserve better, Baby girl”.

  He point towards the kitchen where the steps to the basement started. I sucked my lips in as I fought my tears as I began walking to the kitchen. I stopped at the top of stairs and looked back to the confrontation. Justin was already on top of Anthony's body. A knee placed on each side of Anthony's tense body. Justin's eyes were stuck on mine as he waited for my exit. I couldn't move until Justin finally looked away and his first fist knocked Anthony's face with such a strong force I couldn't watch. I pulled my shirt over my eyes and ran down the stairs.

  Skipping every other step as I made my way down as fast as possible. I dropped to the couch on the side of the basement. I lay on my stomach as I tried to fight the sounds of Justin torturing Anthony's life. With every knock to the floor, every bang to his body, my arms shook with pain. I pulled a lose pillow over my head to cover the sounds of the struggle. I gripped the side of the small pillow until it covered my ears with force. My body was shaking and my skin was covered in goosebumps. I couldn't stand the sound of Anthony being hurt. I fought the feeling until I realized that he deserved every lick that Justin gave him.

  I couldn't take it anymore as the struggle went on for over five minutes. I ran to the bathroom and turned the warm water on. With the water on full blast, I stepped in the shower with clothes still on. I shivered as the warm water covered my body. Dropping to the floor, I pulled my knees to my chest. My head was full of fear... I wasn't sure which fear though. The memories of being abused for the last year, the thought of that same man being assaulted at that very moment, and more than anything, the fear that Davien would leave me. In fact, make me leave.... with no where to go.

  I knew as soon as Davien found out about the incident, my whole life would change. There wasn't a good thing that would come out of this. Maybe he was kicking me out because he believed I betrayed him. Justin caught me with my shirt off and Anthony lowering my zipper. He may be kicking me out only because I supposedly let Anthony in Davien's home. Or my biggest concern that I had in the back of my head was, Davien didn't want my drama. He didn't want the package that I carried along my side. He was a young, extremely attractive and talented man. Why would he chose a woman that had an ex that wouldn't let her go without a struggle.

  A mixture of steady tears and warm water covered my face. “Baby girl!” Justin stepped in the bathroom as I sat still shaking on the shower floor.

  “He's gonna make me leave!” My words were shaky as I fought the thought.

  With out thinking twice, Justin pulled the curtain to the side. Whether or not I was dressed, he reached in the shower and pulled me from the floor. Pulling me to his arms and holding me tight. My wet clothes soaking him along side me. He placed his chin on the top of my wet hair. “It's okay, Baby girl.” He bent to kiss my forehead. “You're not going anywhere.” He start
ed rocking me back and forth. I was supposed to be comforting him after his fight with Anthony, but instead it was the opposite.

  “No, when Davien finds out that Anthony was in his house, he's gonna make me leave.” I cried. “I love him.”

  Pulling my chin until I met his relaxed eyes, I looked at him. I noticed the one scratch from the side of his forehead that traveled to his chin and the swelling mark under his left eye. “I know you do, Baby girl, and he loves you too.” He held my hand and helped me step the bathmat. Reaching inside the shower, he turned the water off then pulled a towel from the bar. He held the towel in front of me. “Here, I'm turning around as you take your clothes off.”

  He did as he said and put his back to me. I knew he wasn't leaving the bathroom without me, and he wasn't willing to look at my bare body. I stepped from my soaked jeans and peeled them from my feet. Then managed to pull my wet shirt over my head. Wrapped in a towel, I reached for Justin's hand and he led us out of the bathroom.

  I stepped from the steam filled room and he walked us to the bedroom. He sat me at the edge of the bed and walked to the closet to search for an outfit. I was extremely embarrassed as Davien's friend was helping me dress from a wet towel. I wondered what was going through Justin's mind. Was he thinking the way I imagined Davien thinking? Did he believe that I was close to having sex with Anthony? Did he think I betrayed Davien... in his own home? “It's okay Justin, I'll get it.” He continued pulling a shirt from a hanger then a pair of jeans. Throwing them to my lap and walking to the door. “Thank you.” I whispered.

  Dropping my head to my lap, I cried before attempting to dress myself. I looked to the closed door then started stepping into my jeans. When fully clothed in the clothing he had choose, I debated whether or not to come out of the room immediately. I wanted to run away. I wanted to just lay in the bed and wake up from my nightmare.

  Sighing loudly and opening the door slowly, I managed to step from the room. To my surprise, Justin wasn't sitting in the basement living area. Rubbing my eyes, I noticed the clock on the wall and realized it was much later than I thought. I heard the faucet running in the basement bathroom and peaked in to find Justin washing his face over the sink. His hands cupped the warm water, which he splashed over his cheeks. When he finished, he shook the dripping water from his face and pressed a dry towel over his damp skin. I spoke quietly in low, cautious words. “Are you okay, Justin?” I walked to him and pulled his face to meet mine. The swelling under his eye was growing and was noticeable. At the last view it was only visible to a close look, but it had grown and guilt washed over my body. “I am so sorry.”

  “Stop it, Baby girl.” He wiped away the unknown tears from my cheeks. “I'm fine. We just need to get going. I called you for over half an hour and finally came to the house when you hadn't answered. When I saw Anthony inside your doorway, I knew all hell was about to let loose.”

  “Does Davien know?” I worried and the tears stung my eyes with pain.

  “Stop worrying, Baby girl.”

  “Where's Anthony?” I couldn't see him. I really couldn't. If I walked up the stairs and he was sitting in the living room with blood splattered across his face, I wouldn't know what to think.

  “Vince picked him up while you were in the shower. He took him to Anthony's house.”

  ☼

  After many moments of Justin comforting me enough to drive, I made it to Martin's garage. My hair was still wet and my baggy clothes were nothing I would've ever chose to wear. Pulling to the partially filled lot at Martin's, Justin unbuckled his belt when he spot his red beauty in the corner.

  Jumping from the Malibu, Justin caught me off guard. I hadn't realized that we had been in the lot longer than I thought. “C'mon, Baby girl. Get out. Davien's in there waiting for us.” I shook my head with unwillingness “Won't take long. In fact you can stay right here, but it's inappropriate for you to stay in your car when your boyfriend works here.”

  Not wanting to, I finally released my seat belt and sighed as I opened the driver's door. Looking over the roof of the car I saw Justin as he winked at me. His scratch that ran down his face and the swelling under his eye was obvious. I stood leaning against the front hood of my car. Controlling my nervous hands, I crossed my arms over my chest.

  Justin found Davien in the corner of the outside lot. He was under the hood of a modern car when he recognized Justin's approach. I tried to keep my eyes off him, but I couldn't help but to watch. I didn't feel the connection at the moment, I felt like we weren't together. As Justin came closer, I saw Davien's expressions when he noticed the marks to Justin's face.

  His fingers laced over the top of his hair with his well defined biceps folded and his elbows stuck out. He shook his head as his face stayed froze. My head dropped, but my eyes stayed in sight when Davien looked at me. His eyes looked me up and down, from head to foot. Lowering one hand from his head, he ran his palm over his face very slowly. His other hand met at his waist where he stood still, taking very deep breaths. I tried to put his thoughts together for him.

  Justin dropped one hand to Davien's shoulder and the two watched me intensively. Davien's foot was tapping at the pavement as he listened to Justin's words. But never looked at him, he just continued staring at me. I was sure he wasn't even listening to Justin's speech. His eyes never dropping from my face as he shook his head. He pulled from strong force from Justin's hand and backed away from him. My head dropped to my chest where my hands met to hold me. Heavy tears fell from my cheeks. I walked to the driver's side of the car and slumped against the door.

  I watched as Davien walked from Justin and came towards my car. His eyes still focused on my wet hair, the clothes I was wearing and the gloomy expressions to my face. When he came within reach of me he shrugged his shoulders .“What is going on?” His voice was blank, with no reaction or tone.

  “I guess Justin already told you.” I whispered from embarrassment.

  “Justin told me what?” His voice with a mixture of worry, question and anger. “Why is your hair wet, Avery. Why are you changed. Why did you shower? What the fuck is going on?”

  I opened the driver's door and stepped one foot to the car. He reached for my free elbow and pulled me to his body. “I don't want to talk about it, Davien. Not here, not now. I can't.” His brow crooked at my words.

  “Why, Avery?” His voice was calm and cautious.

  “You'll leave me.” His eyes were wide and his nose twitched. “You'll make me leave. Just give me time.”

  “You fucked him?” I jumped with shock from his words. “You fucked Justin?” His eyes passed across the lot to Justin. Not knowing the words that Davien and I were exchanging, Justin nodded to Davien's questioning looks.

  “NO!” I screamed back to his unanswered question.

  “Why are you showered? Why won't you talk to me then? I thought of all people, I could trust both of you. I love you, Avery, and Justin is like a brother to me. I've never been in love... until I met you.” His nose puffed a pitied sound. “I'll kill the mother fucker!”

  Before I could answer, Davien approached Justin who had no idea of my conversation. Davien swung the biggest fist I had ever seen across Justin's face. He had no fear of Justin at the moment. Gasping, with my hand covered over my face. I ran to their side, screaming at the top of my lungs. “Stop, Davien! Nothing happened.” He looked at me and shook his head in shame. “Justin saved me.” Davien's eyes jumped between the two of us. Justin reached for the side of his face, his fist rubbing against his jaw line.

  “Anthony broke in your house, Bro. I caught him just before he did something to Baby girl.”

  “What? Where is he, Justin?”

  “Vince picked him up and dropped him off at his house. Just let it go man.”

  Davien's shook his head with evil amusement. “Let it go? Are you fucking serious? Do you know what he could have done to Avery?”

  “It's taken care of man.” Justin placed his hands on both of Davien's shoulders. �
��He's not coming back... trust me.”

  “Was it good?” Justin nodded his head slowly to Davien's question. The three of us knew what he was saying. He meant 'Did he get a good beating'. Davien pulled me to his chest and his lips met on my neck. “Are you okay?” I nodded my head.

  Breaking the dark scene, of course Justin had to make a smart ass comment. “Man, Baby girl.... I beat the shit of a guy at CJ's for you. I forced myself from killing Anthony today, now I took a nice lick from Davien's fist. Shit, then tomorrow I'm supposed to still win your fight. You're killin' me, Baby girl. You're next in line pretty girl. I'm kickin' your ass next.”

  “Yeah right man.” Davien laughed at his last comment.

  “Hey, Bro, that was a decent lick you threw.” He held his hand out to Davien and the two shook, Justin pulling him in for a half hug.

  ☼

  That night was very awkward. Scott made it home early and was sitting on the couch across me in the living room playing an acoustic guitar. I wasn't sure if he knew what happened that day with Anthony, with Justin or the issue between Davien and me. I didn't feel like it was my place to tell him, especially since Natalia hadn't even been told yet. I listened to him as he strummed softly against the strings. Scott smiled as he entertained me. Just the two of us, so I had my own personal audience.

  Coming in quietly, Davien opened the front door and walked past the couch where I sat with my knees bent to my chest and a blanket pulled against my body, reading a romance novel. He looked me up and down but put no expressions to his face. He placed a soft kiss on my forehead and continued into the kitchen. He didn't speak, just merely announced his self.

  I peeped around the corner to the kitchen, trying to figure out his body language. I wasn't sure if he was mad or just distant, but I knew he was different tonight and I knew it had to do with Anthony and me. Pulling thawed chicken breasts from the refrigerator, then walking to the cupboard to grab a box of rice, he called me in. “Avery, come here.” Scott looked at me as he questioned Davien's expressions. He looked stunned when Davien seemed off tonight. Dropping my book to the couch and pushing my feet into my slippers, I entered the kitchen where he continued pulling things from all cupboards, dropping each item to the counter with loud thuds. Without even looking at me, I stood froze, not sure whether to sit at the table or wait standing.