“I could fuck you forever.” He growls, squeezing the sensitive skin on my thighs. “You’re mine.”
“I am yours.” I concur, surprising myself by my own admittance.
“I won’t let him touch you again.” He says fiercely, cradling my face in his hands.
“I don’t want him to. All I want is you.”
My assurances encourage him, accelerating his speed as well as the hungry desire that he has for me.
“This tight little pussy is mine and it always has been.” He pants breathlessly, no longer holding back. “Now come for me. Come all over me.”
His instructions are impossible to ignore and I do just that… reaching our climax together.
Afterwards, I lie awake for hours. There’s a small gap in my curtains which allows the moon to peep through, illuminating my bed and Zack’s silhouette beside me.
He’s fast asleep but my heart is still racing, dreading what we must face tomorrow. However, there is a small part of me which looks forward to it. As messed up as that sounds, I can’t help it.
Tomorrow symbolises hope.
It symbolises a new beginning.
Tomorrow is my future…
Chapter Fourteen
I wake up the next morning to the sun streaming in through my bedroom window. My bed is empty and there’s no sign of Zack.
I sit up in bed, clutching the quilt to my chest as my heart starts pounding.
He’s gone.
“Zack?” I call out, praying to God that he’ll walk in any moment and hasn’t left me.
“It’s ok, I’m here.” He assures me, entering the bedroom with a breakfast tray in his arms.
“I-I thought you’d gone.” I confess, stumbling over my words.
“I’m sorry.” He apologises, joining me on the bed. “I just thought you looked so peaceful when I woke, I didn’t want to disturb you while I made breakfast.”
“You didn’t need to do any of this but thank you.”
We share the food which Zack prepared for me and make idle chit chat until we’re both finished. He eventually turns to face me, resembling someone who has some bad news to share.
“Sam, I have to go back today.” He reveals, appearing disappointed and deflated by the idea of leaving.
“Why do you?” I ask, disappointment washing over me.
“There’s a few reasons but mainly because of Amber. Rachel tried calling me during the night and I’ve only just seen her missed calls. She phoned to tell me that Amber isn’t very well and has some sort of temperature, Rachel’s really worried.”
“And… what’s the other reason?” I enquire hesitantly, somewhat reluctant to find out.
“My parents and Aaron.” Zack concludes, tucking a few strands of my hair back behind my ear. “They’re all staying in a hotel nearby, the same one I was in before I turned up here last night.”
“I don’t understand… why are your family here?”
“It’s my parent’s wedding anniversary this weekend and they asked me and Aaron to go away with them to celebrate. Anyway, I made some excuse as to why I couldn’t stay with them last night but now they’re wondering where I am. I made a couple of phone calls while you were asleep and they want me to pick them up on my way back to check on Amber. They’re worried about her too and want to be there if she needs to go into hospital or anything.”
“Is it that serious?”
The thought of this innocent little girl being ill is alarming. I’ve no idea how Zack is managing to stay so calm when he knows something might be wrong with her. I’m also feeling guilty, haunted by the knowledge that I left him because of her. I’ve spent the past two years pretending that she doesn’t exist and now she’s poorly. I feel terrible but don’t know how to express any of my shame or how sorry I am for what I did.
“I don’t know yet.” He sighs, rubbing the centre of his forehead. “Rachel has a tendency to worry and she can be a bit overprotective at times. I really need to head back and check on her though.”
“That’s fine.” I assure him, wanting to convince him it’s the right thing to do.
“I want you to come with me but I know it’s not the right time yet. There’s things I need to sort out and I know you feel the same.”
“I do need to talk to Ian.” I groan, dreading the thought of that conversation. “I don’t want to lie to him anymore.”
“I want to be here when you tell him, I don’t want you to deal with this on your own.”
“I have to do this by myself and you need to be with Amber. I can do this, Zack. I promise you.”
“What if he hurts you? What if he gets angry with you and I’m not here?” He challenges me, striding across the bedroom towards my wardrobe. “You’re coming with me, Sam. I’m not leaving you alone.
I scramble off the bed, positioning myself right in front of him. I can see how uneasy he is about leaving me to deal with this by myself but also know he has to be there for his daughter.
“You can’t protect me from everyone and everything.” I remind him, taking hold of his hand.
“Can’t I?”
“It’s just not possible and besides… Ian is a good man. He would never hurt me.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes! Now please go and get ready so you can see your daughter.”
Zack is ready to leave in an hour, still complaining about having to head back and reluctant about leaving me behind.
“I really don’t want to do this.” He groans, leaning against his car while pulling me towards him. “It doesn’t feel right you staying here by yourself.”
“I’ll phone Audrey.” I promise him, smiling weakly. “She might even come by and see me if I tell her what’s happened.”
“Audrey knew where you were?” He snaps, pushing me away from him roughly. “She’s been lying to me all this time?!”
“Please don’t blame her.” I implore him, gazing up at him in earnest. “I asked her to lie for me.”
“I begged her…” He murmurs, shaking his head in disbelief. “I almost got down on my knees and begged her to tell me where you were.”
“I’m so sorry.”
I can feel my eyes fill with tears, overwhelmed by the amount of guilt I’m plagued by.
“Don’t...” He whispers, forcing me to look up at him once more. “No more apologies, ok? I don’t want us to focus on the past anymore.”
“Alright, I’ll try not to.”
“Ok, I really have to go.” He grumbles, frowning deeply. “I still have my idiot brother to pick up and my parents.”
“How is Aaron?” I ask, smiling at the thought of Zack’s mischievous brother still wreaking havoc. “Has he settled down yet?”
“Settle down?” Zack scoffs. “His longest relationship lasted about a week.”
“He hasn’t changed much then?”
“Change isn’t possible for someone as stupid as my brother.”
“You love him really.” I laugh, slapping him on the arm playfully.
“Only out of duty.”
“Please let me know how she is.” I prompt him, hoping everything will be ok.
“I will.” He promises me, pausing before he gets in the car. “I gave you my new number, didn’t I?”
“You did.” I confirm. “I’m going to put it straight in my phone once you’ve left.”
“I might even make it back here tonight if she improves.”
“Don’t rush back. I’ll be fine.”
“I love you.” He says, winking at me before kissing me one last time.
“I love you too.”
I go back inside but don’t know what to do with myself. It’s still too early for me to phone Audrey and I can’t face talking to Ian just yet.
I know that breaking up with him is inevitable but still need to get my head around the fact that I have Zack back in my life again. I’ve spent the past two years without him, aching for the one and only man I’ve ever loved… it’s going to take
some time for me to process my new and unfamiliar reality now we’re together.
I phone Audrey a couple of hours later and fill her in on everything that’s happened. She listens attentively and allows me to confide in her for as long as I wish.
She doesn’t seem surprised when I tell her about Zack turning up on my doorstep the night before. It’s almost like she expected it to happen at some point and I guess a part of me felt the same way.
I’ve always known that she didn’t agree with my decision to run away, only deceiving Zack because I made her promise, placing my trust in her completely
“I just don’t know how I’m going to explain things to Ian.” I tell her, sighing deeply.
The thought of having to admit that I’m in love with someone else is horrific. I’ve come to care about this man and don’t want to hurt him in any shape or form.
“You need to be honest with him.” Audrey advises. “It’s the only way.”
“But does he really need to know about Zack? It will break his heart if he finds out about him.”
“Ian might still think there’s hope for your relationship if you don’t tell him the whole story. Trust me, you need to tell him the truth.”
“I know you’re right.” I comment, mentally preparing myself for it. “I’m just dreading that conversation.”
“It’s always been him.” She observes, referring to Zack. “No one else will has even come close.”
“You’re right about that.” I agree with her wholeheartedly. “Zack’s my soulmate and I’ve been kidding myself all these years thinking I could live without him when I couldn’t.”
“You’ve made your choice now.” She concludes. “The hard part is over.”
The hours tick by but there’s still no word from Zack. I become increasingly worried when I fail to hear anything from him and my anxiety consumes me, drowning out any positivity I might have about where he is and why he hasn’t been in touch.
Where is he?
What’s happened?
Is Amber ok?
Has Rachel found out?
All these questions fill my head, threatening to devour me completely as I pace back and forth in agitation.
Ian keeps on phoning me and I know it’s only a matter of time before he turns up here. He has every right to do so seeing as it is his house. He has his own key and is bound to use it if I don’t start replying to him soon.
Last night I promised him he could come over this morning. I understand that he just wants to make sure I’m ok but I can’t face him right now. I’m far too worried about Zack and won’t be able to explain the reason why I’m so nervous and apprehensive.
His incessant calling proves how concerned he is, reminding me how special he is and how lucky I’ve been to have him in my life.
Except I belong to someone else.
I always have done.
My need to know what’s going on is suffocating me. I can’t think or even function until I find out what’s wrong and the only way I can do that is by calling Zack, panicking even more when he doesn’t answer.
I try him again two hours later and then again an hour after that.
What the hell is going on?!
My intuition is telling me that something’s happened, something is wrong but I don’t know what it is.
Zack would have called me by now. He would have been in touch and the fact that he hasn’t proves he’s been unable to.
I practically leap on my phone when it finally rings, breathing a huge sigh of relief when I see Zack’s name flash up on the screen.
“Zack, are you ok? Where are you?” I demand, bombarding him with questions.
“Sam, it’s me.”
I inhale sharply, absolutely stunned to hear my sister’s voice for the first time in two years. I can’t believe it’s really her and freeze, incapable of speaking for several seconds.
“Rachel?”
My voice is barely a whisper, striving to understand why she’s calling me on Zack’s phone.
“Sam, something’s happened.” She reveals, blurting it out suddenly. “Something really bad.”
“Is it Amber? Zack said she wasn’t well.”
“She’s fine.” Rachel assures me, breathing rapidly. “But Zack isn’t.”
My mind starts to race with possibilities and none of them are good. I close my eyes, trying to prepare myself for the absolute worst.
“I knew something was wrong.” I murmur, crumbling to the floor. “Tell me what’s happened?”
“There was a car accident and he’s in the hospital.” She informs me, pausing before she continues. “It’s really bad, Sam. He… he could die.”
I hear her voice break as she holds back her tears. She’s terrified and the fear she’s enduring causes mine to spiral out of control, encompassing me in complete darkness.
“No…”
“Aaron and his parents were killed in the crash but the paramedics managed to reach Zack in time. He was the only one wearing his seatbelt.”
My heart breaks for Zack’s family, saddened and dismayed by their untimely death. I can scarcely believe that Aaron is really gone. How is it possible? How can it just happen like that? How can he be dead?
“Where is he?” I demand, needing to be with Zack and find out where he is.
She quickly provides me with the name of the hospital and I thank her, promising to get there as soon as possible.
I can’t remember any of my journey to the hospital. It took us over an hour to get here but it’s still a complete blank. All I know is Audrey picked me up after I called her and now we’re standing outside.
I don’t know where to go or who to ask. I’m completely lost, dazed, stunned and still in shock.
“Come on, Sam.” Audrey encourages me, taking hold of my arm so she can lead me inside. “You can do this.”
I can’t hear anything or make out what she says to the receptionist on the main desk. I can’t speak, I can’t even move… all I can do is pray.
I’m startled when Audrey ushers me down a corridor, following one of the nurses towards the intensive care unit. I try to keep up with them but my senses are still delayed, some of them are starting to come back but that might have something to do with the adrenaline which is shooting through my veins.
We turn the corner, entering a large waiting room with five or six people inside it.
One of them is Rachel.
She jumps up from her seat, hurrying towards us. Her face is pale and stained from the amount of tears which must have fallen, causing her eyes to look sore and swollen.
“Thanks for coming.” She whispers, standing directly in front of me.
“Where is he?” I ask, commanding myself to speak.
“They won’t let us see him because they’re working on him right now. They’ve put him in an induced coma so they can operate.”
“Thank God they got to him in time.” Audrey adds, guiding me towards the nearest chair.
“They said there’s a possibility he might have brain damage.” Rachel whimpers, cradling her head in her hands. “Which means he might not be able to walk again, talk or even feed himself properly.”
“Shh, let’s sit down.” Audrey soothes her, putting an arm around us both. “All we can do now is wait.”
The three of us wait countless minutes, each of us praying that one of the doctors will come out with some good news.
Audrey fetches us some coffee, placing it down in front of me. I take a sip but it tastes disgusting and I don’t look at it again.
It’s taking all the strength I have to sit in this chair, waiting on a handful of strangers to save my life or bring an end to it. Rachel’s struggling to sit still but I can’t even move, frozen in place until I know he’s been spared.
The three of us glance up when main doors are flung open and I inhale sharply when mother walks in. I haven’t seen her in two years and was hoping I’d never have to see her again. I despise this woman for everything she has d
one to me and now she’s here, standing right in front of me… I hate her even more.
“What the hell is she doing here?” She demands, pointing her finger at me in accusation.
“Mum, please don’t do this now.” My sister pleads, placing herself between us.
“Why are you here?” My mother asks, directing her question at me this time.
“She’s here because I called her. I found her number when I was going through Zack’s phone and I know he would want her here.” Rachel clarifies, speaking calmly.
“I still don’t understand why you’re allowing her to be here or even contact her after everything she’s done to you and this family.”
“That’s enough!” Audrey intervenes, narrowing her eyes at my mother in distaste.
“She’s right, Mum. None of this matters right now… not when the father of my little girl is in there fighting for his life. That’s the only thing that’s important.”
“Where is Amber?” My cold hearted mother inquires, turning her back on me completely so she can address Rachel.
“She’s with Hannah.”
“Do you want me to go and get her for you?”
“Yes but don’t bring her in here. Take her back home with you.”
“Of course.” She agrees, throwing one last insult at me before she leaves. “It’s not like I want her to be in the company of a whore and a liar.”
“What did you just say?!”
Audrey stands up, indignant and horrified by the statement she just heard.
“Ignore her, Audrey.” I murmur, circling her wrist with my fingers and pulling her back. Please.”
I feel nothing as I watch the woman who gave birth to me walk away, confident that I will never have to set eyes on that malicious and vitriolic woman again.
The knowledge of this sets me free and I make a silent prayer, thanking God as well as Zack for giving me the strength to let go.
Minutes turn into hours and hours turn into days. Time stands still and yet it moves so quickly. I forget to do basic things which include eating and drinking, only remembering when when Audrey insists and practically forces me to do so.
The intensive care unit doesn’t have enough space for its visitors to spend the night so we all have to leave once the hospital quietens down each evening.
Right Girl Page 9