Braver With You (Great Love Book 1)

by A. Hart

  I looked back at Ethel as she said "Oh I'm Sure Calvin here wouldn't mind stopping by to keep you company while he is home. Would you Calvin?" I looked at her with a horrified look on my face. I was bald, pale, bruised and most likely smelly. Not exactly ready for a first date. I shook my head "No no no that’s fine. I’ll just…I'll take up soduko or something." Calvin smiled "That’s not necessary...Grans right...I don’t mind at all." I laughed "You have nothing better to do than come visit a decaying cancer girl?" His face twisted a little and his eyebrows furrowed. "I have nothing better to do than spend time with a beautiful young woman...who I’m sure has plenty of interesting thoughts." I swallowed hard. Where the hell did this guy come from? Straight out of a Nicholas Sparks Movie? It sure felt like it.

  I didn’t know what else to do so I turned my head and nodded, unsure that this was a good idea. He said "Okay then. It’s a date. I’ll go take Granny home, freshen up and grab a piece of mom’s famous strawberry cake... she made it for Gran's homecoming." Ethel clapped her hands in glee. I laughed lightly at her excitement. He looked at me "I’ll bring you a piece if you'd like…it’s to die for." I laughed at the phrase. At first his face was serious and sensitive and then as he realized it was okay...he started laughing too. I shook my head. "No that’s okay, you can’t bring outside food in without it being a whole ordeal". He smiled and said "Don’t you worry I've got my ways." I laughed "Okay soldier, do what you please…but If you get caught you’re dealing with Nurse Randy." I pointed to the big man in the corner who was the stickler of the cancer floor and He laughed as he pointed "what that guy? I can take him." I laughed at him. He was cute. Yeah this was definitely an awful Idea.

  I felt the truck come to a stop and I was quickly snapped back into the present. I was back in the truck with Cal’s powerful presence next to me. I was doing a lot of that tonight, flashing back to the many memories of him. He had a way of bringing all the memories up. It was painful but so freeing at the same time. I could hear the people from inside the bar and I laughed. "Those are your friends aren’t they?" He sighed as he turned off the truck. "Unfortunately." He looked over at me with a half-smile. "Everything okay? You went quiet on me." I smiled lightly "Yeah I'm fine I was just thinking....about stuff." He smiled painfully like he knew what I meant. He nodded his head and said "Alright…you ready for this champ?" I looked at him "Yeah Buddy bring it on." He shook his head as he laughed "You asked for it."

  I laughed as he walked around to my door and opened it for me and helped me get down with his large hands on my hips. I looked in his eyes as he lowered me and couldn't look away. My feet hit the ground and I snapped out of it. Pull it together Emerson. He grabbed my hand and said "Whenever you want to leave...Just say the word." I shook my head lightly and said "I'm not going to be your scape goat Mr." He sighed "Alrighty then...here we go."

  Chapter Eight

  Calvin

  I lead her inside, her hand in mine, pulling her gently behind me. We weaved through the crowd and at the end of the hall there they were, all of them. Jenny, Sam, friends from my paramedic years, high school, old jobs and neighbors. "Welcome Home Jack Ass!" They all yelled simultaneously. "Nice...real nice…" I laughed as I shook my head. Everyone came up to me one at a time, shaking my hand, hugging me and telling me how good it was to see me. I let go of Emerson’s hand so I could be greeted by everyone but I kept her close enough that I could still feel her next to me.

  After the majority of everyone came up to me and then went back to drinking, talking or b-sing I grabbed Emerson’s hand and lead her over to Jenny and Sam. "Emerson, this is Jenny and Sam." They both looked at me and then back at each other with a strange look on their face, like I was telling them that I was engaged. Jenny wrapped her arms around Emerson "Nice to meet you Emerson." Emmy looked like a rabbit being crushed by a boa constrictor. I laughed as I covered my face with my hand. I knew what was coming next. As soon as Jenny let go, Sam threw his arms around her and she looked like a dear in head lights.

  I put my hand on Sam’s arm. "Enough enough! You’re going to scare the girl off." They both looked offended but smiled. "Sorry Emerson...we’re huggers." Emmy looked at her with a smile and said "I can see that" then she shot me a "What the hell did you get me into" look. I laughed as I said in her ear "Told you Em... You’re going to need this". I grabbed the shot that was on the counter for me and handed it to her. She looked at me as she raised her eyebrows "Are you trying to get me drunk Mr. Smith?" I laughed at her. "If I'm Lucky." She smiled and said "Only if you take one with me." I looked at her as I raised my eyebrow and said "and who's going to drive your trashed butt home mam? I’ll just have a beer or two" She smiled "Good point sir." She lifted her drink up in a "cheers" motion and tipped it back. I laughed at how undeniably cute she was.

  Time went by fast. We had arrived there around 10 and it was close to midnight now. We were all sitting at the bar, talking, sometimes stepping away to play pool or darts. I left Emmy with Jenny and her friends a few times and she seemed fine. She shot me a "go ahead I'm fine" look. I sighed as I played a game of pool with Sam and two more of my very wasted friends from my old paramedic crew. This was actually a really great night. It was what I missed about home. Somehow this night was so much better than it usually was.

  The night had what it was missing all those times before. I looked over at the bar to get another look at her, to remind myself that this was real. I spotted Jenny and then scanned the bar. Where was she? I shot Jenny a look and she pointed to the bathroom. I looked towards the restroom and didn’t see her anywhere. I anxiously scanned the hall over the next few minutes waiting to see her walk out. I spotted someone familiar and my face grew hot. What the hell was that scum bag doing here? Sam saw me staring at him and walked over to me. "Let it go bro, you just got home. It's not worth it." His back was to me but I could spot that trash from anywhere. I studied him longer to notice he was against something. It was a girl. His hands were all over her. I looked harder as I saw her hands hitting his sides and my eyes grew wide.

  Then I was enraged. My fists clutched at my side, I was ready to save the poor girl, whoever she was, when that became clear. Her eyes peered over his shoulder, searching for help...Emerson. My heart dropped into my stomach and heat rushed to my head. I threw my stick into Sam’s chest "Like Hell it’s not" I started charging towards the shit bag, seeing red. Sam followed close behind and I heard him whisper "Shit..."

  I swung the asshole around and my fist connected with his jaw. He staggered back as I stood in front of Emerson, glancing back at her just long enough to see a red mark around her neck and tears in her eyes. "You son of a bitch!" I said as my fist connected with his jaw again. He staggered back again, trying to stand up. One of his buddies ran to his side to help him stand. He rubbed his eyes and looked at me confused "Cal?! What the Fuck Man?!” He asked me like I had betrayed him.

  I grew angrier "I'll tell you what the Fuck, Sid.” I pointed back at Emerson. “This girl you’re attacking, she’s with me you piece of shit." His eyes grew angry. "How was I supposed to know this whore was..." he said as he pointed to Emerson. Did he just call Emmy a whore? I stepped towards him cutting him off, my jaw clenched. “What did you say shit bag?" He stood up straight and said with a smirk "I said your girl is a whore homeboy." My fist clenched and I saw blood. This kid had fucked with my life for long enough. He was the reason I joined the Army, to get the hell away from him and his plague. Now he was trying to go after her? No, this kid had no idea who he was fucking with. This punk was going to die.

  Sam must have read my thoughts because he stepped in front of me and pushed Sid backwards. "Get the Fuck out of here man, none of us need this." Sid looked at him and laughed, then spit blood on the floor "Yeah I'll leave, but because this place sucks balls." Sam shook his head "No one gives a fuck Sid, just leave."

  As soon as he was out of the door I took a deep breath and turned around to Emerson. Her unfocused eyes were full of tears and her cheeks were
flush. I was too angry before to notice that she was propped against a table and looked white as a ghost. I softly touched her neck that was bright red with hand prints. I placed my hand on her cheek as I looked down at her torn dress. That son of a bitch. I took a deep breathe, controlling my anger. "Em...you okay?" She didn’t respond and I saw her face grow weak, a familiar look to me. I shook her lightly as I said "Em?” Realizing she was in shock I looked back at Sam. “Shit... Sam clear these chairs" Sam did as I asked right in time as sure enough she fainted in my arms, I lowered her gently to the floor. "Jenny Grab a cold clothe." Jenny nodded at me and brought it to me quickly. Everyone stood around whispering and gossiping. I patted her face gently... "Em. Sweet heart... "As I gently rubbed her face with my thumb, she opened her eyes for a quick second "Cal..." she whispered.

  I knew the cops would be there soon but I really just wanted to get Emerson the hell out of there. “Hey Jen tell the cops to come to Emerson’s if they have questions. Ill text you the address.” She nodded “Yeah okay.” I knew as a paramedic that she was okay. She probably lost the blood flow to her brain long enough to cause slow respiratory response and then the stress of what just happened to her didn’t help. It was nothing that needed hospital attention yet. I was a certified paramedic and that’s what I did in my Special Forces unit. I knew I could take care of her.

  She needed to go home and be monitored. I waived Jenny over "Hey Jen grab her purse." I lifted her up and placed her against me. She was so soft and warm. Jenny handed me Emerson’s purse and I kissed Jenny on her head. "Guess you'll have to tell me your news another night.” I winked at her. She blushed "What?" I responded "you think I didn’t notice that you didn’t drink all night? Or that I don’t know when my best friends is nervous to tell me something." I smiled "we will talk tomorrow. Love you sis." she smiled widely "Love you too." I laid Emerson gently in my truck and pulled out her wallet. I looked at her license to find her address, hoping it was updated. I recognized the street on the other side of town and began my drive to her place. I took deep breaths and focused on getting her home, hoping it would stop me from finding Sid and kicking the shit out of him.

  Chapter Nine

  Emerson

  10 minutes earlier

  I sat at the bar laughing at Jenny, she was funny, obnoxiously perky, but funny. I could see a lot of Cal in her but mostly I saw a younger Ethel and I grew comfortable with her quickly. I had had a couple shots and two margaritas. I was at my max and it was time to "break the seal”. I had to pee...bad. Usually this is when I would motion Sarah to come with me. Shit Sarah. I accidently left my phone in her car or least I was hoping I did. It wasn’t in my purse and that’s the last place I used it. She was probably calling me and texting me worried sick. I would text her off of Jenny’s phone when I got back from the bathroom, thankfully she had the same phone number since high school and I had it burned in my memory. She wasn’t going to believe my night. Tomorrow we would probably sip wine while we sat on the couch and giggled about it like we used to in high school (minus the wine).

  I looked at Jenny and said "I'm going to the bathroom, watch my purse?" She nodded as she continued talk to her other friends and sip her ice tea. I went to the restroom, “broke the seal” as Sarah said and then splashed water on my face. Feeling a little bit of the liquor courage, I decided I was going to march over to Cal and give him the best kiss of his life right on that pool table. I had been watching him play for the last hour and my mouth was practically watering.

  I smiled at myself in the mirror. Let’s do it girl! I nodded at myself and walked out of the bathroom. I spotted Cal leaning over the pool table, looking sexy as all hell and then something stepped in my view. I tried to glance around it but it consumed my vision. I blinked as I felt something warm on my hips. My eyes came into focus and my heart sank as I realized who it was. Sid...

  The horror sobered me instantly. He was wasted, far past anything I had ever experienced with him. Knowing he was an asshole sober, I was terrified. I calmed myself down and slowly pushed my hands against his grip on my waist. It was tight and strong. "Where've you been sexy?" he asked me. I pushed a little harder still trying to remain calm. "Sid...let me go." He looked me up and down with a look that brought a terrible feeling down my spine. "Oh I'm not letting you go anywhere." He pushed me farther out of Cal's sight. I gasped in horror. "Sid let go of me now!" I shouted. The bar was loud and no one around us was sober enough to realize I was serious. I pushed my hands against his chest as he began to pull at the neck of my dress, and then grabbed the inside of my bra, kissing my neck with hot slime. I yelled again, panicked "Sid. I’m serious. Let me go!"

  I began to push harder against him. He wasn’t very big, nowhere near Cal, but it was enough to hold me hostage. I didn’t know what else to do as he grabbed my hands and pinned them behind me. He pushed his pelvis into mine and continued to slime my chest. I panicked and I did the one thing I could. I head butted him. His head snapped back and he looked at me with wide angry eyes. "You bitch.” He said harsh and heartless. I gasped as his hand went around my neck and I could feel it tighten, tighten, tighten. Fire filled my chest and my throat burned. I tried to swallow to put it out but I couldn’t. I gasped and my hands started to go wild.

  Sid’s hands were tightening more and more. His eyes stared into my soul like a black hole sucking out my hope. I tried to stand on my tippy toes to find Cal, hoping he'd see me. My eyes went dark and I could feel my body quitting. No I won’t stop! I would fight until I stopped breathing. He didn’t know me well enough to know that. I wouldn’t stop. I wouldn't go down without a fight. My feet stomped and my hands waved against his chest, hard and fast. I could feel the blows weakening him but his hand grew stronger.

  My body grew weaker, I could feel myself slipping away slowly. Just when I thought it was over, I felt his hand tug from my throat. The burning began to slow and I gasped for breath. I saw a flash of Cal and my heart sang with praise. He came. He's here. My mind relaxed at the realization that I was okay but my body wasn't so convinced.

  I felt weak and dazed. I propped myself against something hard and strong. I couldn’t focus on what was happening. I just started blinking, hoping to catch a glimpse of Cal again. Suddenly his face came into focus. "Em...You okay?" I blinked trying to talk but my throat wouldn't move. I felt his touch on my skin and then I felt like I was floating. I floated, constant and warm, feeling nudges and prods every once in a while. Recognizing the sound of his voice as he called me sweet heart. I tried to reply but I wasn’t sure if I did. I recognized the feel of his touch and the sound of his engine as it roared beneath me.

  I heard a click and then I was floating again. I was on a cloud that was soft and warm and I felt a stroke against my face. After what seemed like a while I heard the water turn on and then the sound of cabinets opening and shutting. I began to blink my eyes quickly to try and clear away the black splotches from my vision. My breath was deep and slow. I felt the cloud from beneath me sink and then there was a warm pressure against my face, I pressed into it. My mouth felt dry and burned. I opened it in response to something lightly touching my lips. A cool rush of water consumed my mouth and I gulped it like a camel in the desert. I blinked my eyes harder, slower and then opened them. "Cal…"

  Chapter Ten

  Calvin

  After locking up the house and sending Jenny a quick text with Emerson’s address I sat on her couch. I wiped my face with one hand and took in a deep breath, looking down at Emerson, her neck was red and blotchy, her dress torn and her face pail. I felt the anger rage through my body again. I didn't understand why Sid would do this to her. I believed he would do this…but why her? Did he see her with me and wanted to try and start a fight? The way he seemed surprised to see me made me think no. Plus he was dumb but not that dumb. After the ass whopping I gave him the last time I was in town, for doing something equally infuriating, he knew better.

  The questions started flying through my mind. I looked a
t Emerson laying peacefully on the couch and I knew that I had never cared for anyone the way I cared for her. I had seen people I cared for in harm’s way, hell I had watched them fight for their lives and I had never been affected this way before. I put my hand on her cheek, feeling her hot skin beneath my palm. I watched her with careful eyes, I got up and walked to the restroom.

  It was a small place, one bedroom, one bathroom with a tiny kitchen and living room, dining room combination. It was in an older apartment complex in Auburn but was in a nice enough area. The inside was completely remodeled. One wall was brick and the others a light green. She had little trinkets that made it feel homey and warm, it felt like her. The bathroom was in her room so I walked through. I splashed some water on my face after using the restroom and dried my face on the floral hand towel she had lightly laid on the counter.

  I walked through her room again and couldn’t resist looking around. Her bed was messy, her quilt balled in the corner and pillows thrown about. She had pictures on the wall of her family, friends and scenic pictures that she took from trips she went on. On her dresser she had a few more trinkets and a jewelry box. It was small and dainty. I knew it probably wasn't right but I wanted to know more.

  I lifted the lid and lightly touched the pink-silk lined inside and took stock of the contents gently. There was an old flower peddle, a necklace, some earrings, an old Christmas pendant but what caught my eye next made my heart stop. It was a piece of paper that was folded and worn. I opened it and a picture fell out. I picked it off the floor and my heart began to race. It was the picture she took of me in the hospital. I was sitting on her bed looking at her and she told me "Smile". I remembered this day because I had a similar picture of her in my wallet. I finished opening the letter and saw my hand writing. It was the letter I had written her the night before I left. It was worn and had water marks on it.