Dirty

by HJ Bellus

  I tilt my head to the side with a questioning stare covering my face. “What are you talking about?”

  Oliver takes a step back and I feel the tension course from my limbs. The gorgeous colors of the sunset paint the background and I take a quick glance down at my cell phone and realize it’s well past 6 o’clock.

  “If he ever mans up and tells you the truth, I’ll be here for you, Ava.” Oliver tucks both of his hands in his back pockets.

  “I’m not sure what’s going down here or what in the hell you have against Zane, but I’m not interested, Oliver.”

  “You’re saying that now.”

  Anger rages inside me with his comments that only lead in circles. “Then fucking spill and tell me what you think you have on Zane.”

  “You know about his parents, right?”

  I nod, growing more irritated by the second.

  “Aren’t you afraid he won’t be able to strip one day or do various other jobs?” Oliver air quotes the last part. “Then he’ll resort to running drugs and who knows, may even share a cell next to his parents one day.”

  “I’m done here.” I whirl around, set my feet sturdy, and take off to jog back home. It will be a slower pace this time, but anything to get away from this creepy conversation. Oliver definitely holds a deep grudge against Zane and from the sounds of it not a healthy one at all.

  “Ava.” Oliver calls my name a few times, but I continue to jog and put back on my headphones.

  I’m not very far back down the running trail until I feel hand on my shoulder and then my body being jerked back down with force. Enough force to knock me clean on my ass. Oliver’s thigh catches a bit of the fall, but unfortunately the asphalt running path takes the brunt of it.

  If I thought all of the air had been sucked from my lungs from the sprint, then I was dead wrong. My head spins and my lungs scream as I fight for my next gulp of air. The searing pain coursing from the base of my spine up to the back of my neck is enough to make everything spin and my vision darken.

  I swear the sound of another voice joins the two of us and possibly screeching tires.

  “What in the fuck?” I turn enough to see Zane barreling from his truck and then concentrate on the fact that his truck keeps rolling down the road and Zane’s not in it. Another body climbs from the passenger seat to the driver one and slams on the brakes, causing another squealing sound.

  “Ava.” My shoulders gently shake and I peer up into Darby’s misty eyes. “Are you okay?”

  I’m unable to answer and focus in on Zane, who is in full Hulk mode.

  “I’m going to kill you, you dirty rotten motherfucker.” Zane slams his fist into Oliver’s face and then repeats the action a few more times while managing to kick him as well.

  “You think this hurts, you motherfucker?” Oliver spits blood out, splattering it onto Zane’s white shirt.

  Zane cocks his fist back again and then freezes. “What in the fuck have I ever done to you?”

  “One day, you’ll put it together and realize you stole the love of my life from me.”

  “Do you know him, Ava?” Darby whispers into my ear.

  I shake my head side to side, wracking my brain for any recollections of the man. I swear to God I’ve never seen him and am relatively sure that I never ran into him at college.

  “I think he’s talking about you,” Darby whispers.

  “One day, Zane, one day you’ll be all alone and I’ll be fucking the shit out of her.”

  Oliver’s last words throw Zane into a blind rage. Blood flies everywhere as Zane continues raining his punishment down on Oliver. Oliver has never once tried to fight back or deflect any of the grueling blows. I rub my palm over my forehead and hope like hell I’m only understanding half of this scene playing out in front of me.

  “Enough.” Rhett shows up from nowhere and fights like hell to pull Zane off Oliver. It takes him a few minutes, but he finally is able to pull him off. “Not worth it, man, not worth it.”

  Zane fights to get out of Rhett’s bear hug, but it’s evident Zane is breathing heavy from fighting and is unable to out power Rhett in the moment. Rhett whirls Zane away from Oliver and begins guiding him over to his truck. He nods to Darby, who helps me stand and gives me a second before making me take my first step.

  “I’ll be back for you, Ava, we aren’t finished.”

  It’s Rhett this time that storms over to Oliver, who’s hunched over on his knees. The sound of cracking ribs fills the air as his steel-toed boot collides into Oliver’s side. The sound repeats itself three more times, growing louder each time.

  “We’ve got people who will take care of you and make it look like an accident, so you have two options. Leave fucking town tonight or start planning your funeral.”

  Darby snags Rhett’s arm and walks both of us over to the truck. Zane has his palms on the top of his knees bent over and exhaling loudly. With each step I take, the world spins faster and the remaining sunlight fades out fast until I’m falling back down. I fight to find my voice and yell for help. My eyes lock with Zane’s right as my knees quit working and I begin to fall toward the ground even though Darby has a hold of one of my elbows.

  “Ava.” It’s the sound of Zane’s voice I hear before my world goes completely black.

  16

  Zane

  “Real fucking friends you two are.” My words are clipped. My hands have run the same trail through my hair over a dozen times while pacing the waiting room.

  Rhett pipes in, “They had no idea.”

  Both of Ava’s supposed friends sit in the waiting room with tears streaming down their faces. The sounds of their sobs do nothing but piss me off more. “I’ll be taking care of Ava from here on out since you two seem to be too selfish.”

  “Fuck, Zane, you’re not helping out here,” Rhett throws in.

  “Well, maybe…” I start in only to be cut off by Darby. The big tittied brunette is mouthy as fuck and thinks she’s a tough one. I’d snap her in half easy as a twig.

  “He’s right. We fucked up and should’ve just listened to Ava.” She covers Chloe’s hand. “We’ve never gone running without each other, even in college. It’s our fault.”

  I snort, listening to the rich little bitch’s words. Ava is nothing like these two fucking Madonnas.

  “Like I said, I’ll be taking care of her from here on out and won’t let my selfish pride get in the way.”

  “Zane.” A new voice enters the conversation. I turn to see a nurse whose face is familiar, but I have no clue who she is.

  “Ava is asking for you.”

  I don’t ask for any further instructions before I’m following her down the hall. It may be the first time in a very long time that I’m actually thankful to see a nurse.

  “Ava is in the recovery room.” She spreads open a curtain divider.

  Her petite body is swallowed up by the massive hospital bed and when I enter, Ava’s eyes dart to mine. I’m at her side in only a few steps and carefully wrap her up into a hug. I feel her tremble underneath me and I do my best not to squeeze her too tight, when in reality that’s all I want to do and never let go.

  “Are you okay?” I force myself to sit back from her and brush her long bangs from her forehead. Ava only nods. The whites of her eyes are red and it scares the shit out of me. The only thing I witnessed when pulling up was that bastard pulling her back and Ava slamming to the ground. We’d driven every single fucking jogging path in town until we found her.

  “Miss Livingston.”

  We both peer up to a man in a white coat who just entered the room. I don’t miss the unappreciative glance he sends my way. I force myself to stand up next to her bed and keep her clammy hand clutched in mine.

  “I just want to check out your back again before sending you home. I have no doubt that from your symptoms that you sustained a mild concussion and more than likely have a bruised tail bone.” He jots down a few notes on a pad for several moments, then glances to me. “
If you’d like to wait out in the hall while I do my final examination.”

  “No.” Ava’s voice is demanding and immediately fills the room. “He stays.”

  “Okay.” The doctor’s skeptical voice is enough to throw me into another fit of rage, but knowing beating the shit out of a doctor wouldn’t end well, I step back and lean up against a counter while he begins his examination.

  “Roll up on your side, Ava.” The nurse begins untying the back of her gown as the doctor takes a closer look, running his gloved hand up and down her spine. Ava winces in pain and it’s a feeling like none other that courses through me. That little fucker will be mine in the morning. I’ll make Oliver pay and then ensure the fucker never steps foot in this town again.

  “The good news is, there are no breaks, however, sometimes bruising can be just as painful. I’m going to send you home with some anti-inflammatory and pain meds. You need to stay off your feet for a couple days and slowly get back to moving around.” The doctor steps back, tossing each of his latex gloves into the trash. “I’d also like to encourage you again to file a police report if any foul play occurred.”

  “No.” Ava shakes her head from side to side, then buries her face into the white pillow.

  My crossed arms flex with tension. “Ava, I think it’s a good idea.”

  The doctor and nurse glance to me with judgmental eyes. I ignore their stares and the thought of smashing his pearly white teeth into the back of his head.

  My knees hit the tiled floor, my hands run through her hair, and I give her a few more moments. “Baby, I think it’s a good idea.”

  “No, Zane.” She rolls her head up to look at me and whispers in a hushed tone. “My parents will find out and it won’t be good for my dad.”

  My teeth grit out my anger, silencing the real words that needs to be said. She’s hurt, in pain and has been attacked, but is more concerned about not damaging or bringing any bad publicity to her father.

  “If you change your mind Miss Livingston, I’ll leave this card here for you.”

  “Her name is Ava and she’s mine,” I growl.

  Ava tries to sit up in the bed and winces with every movement. I’m by her side and trying to help steady her.

  “I’ll leave the prescriptions here and I’d like to see you in a week.”

  Ava offers up a pathetic thanks and the doctor exits. The nurse hands me a bag with all of her belongings in it.

  “How long was I out?” she asks, smoothing her hand over her forehead.

  Color races back into her cheeks as she sits up for a few moments.

  “You passed out, baby and we rushed you here. You’ve probably been here for two or three hours.”

  Ava digs around in the bag, searching for something. “Where’s my underwear?”

  I look around in the bag and find none. “Here, lay back down and I’ll go ask.”

  I don’t exit the room until Ava is laying back on her side and then I only peek my head out the door until I find the nurse who was taking care of her.

  “Excuse me.” I wait until she nears me before asking her. “Ava is looking for her panties.”

  I cringe when I speak the word to another female.

  “Oh, let me grab those for her, sweetie.”

  “Where are they?” I scrunch my brows together and then peek back to Ava, who’s still on her side.

  “Doctor had a rape kit ordered.”

  I feel the blood rush out of my face and now I feel as if my world is spinning and I was beat up.

  She pats me on the shoulder. “No worries, hun. I can’t tell you the results, but like I said, nothing to worry about.”

  She winks before taking off and I feel the pressure of the world being lifted from my shoulders. She’s back in no time and I rush to Ava.

  “Let’s go home, baby.”

  Ava looks up to me with a desperate need. “I don’t have a home, Zane.”

  Tears pool up in her eyes and I can tell she’s drifted off to a very dark and unhealthy place.

  “Your home is mine. Let’s go.”

  Helping Ava dress is a struggle. She fights to hide her pain while muffling her cringes and gasps. I’m thankful when the nurse helps her into a wheelchair and wheels her through the corners and weaves of the hospital until we are out front. I’d texted Rhett to go get the truck and had also told him to inform Ava’s friend that she’d be going to my house.

  He only responded with a message reading something like, “Good luck. They’re stubborn bitches.”

  Ava’s head wobbles on her shoulders and I know it has to be from the shot of morphine they gave her before leaving.

  “Ava,” both girls coo in unison when she’s wheeled outside. She offers them a weak smile and then a slight wave. Her level of discomfort is evident in her smile.

  I can tell both of the bitches are chomping on the bit to get Ava in their hands. Not happening again on my watch.

  “We love you and are so sorry,” Darby is the first to speak up.

  “Why don’t you just save this until she feels a bit better,” I suggest helping the nurse lift Ava into the front of my truck. I don’t miss the death glares the bitches send my way.

  “I’m okay. It’s not your fault,” she croaks.

  I’m forced to bite down on my tongue, so I don’t come off as a complete dickhead.

  “We never run alone,” Chloe adds and steps up to the door of my truck.

  “It’s fine you guys.” I shut the door to the truck but have her window rolled down so she can finish the conversation she needs to have.

  Both of the girls do their best to convince Ava to come home. I don’t stand up like I normally would and rip them a new asshole, but decide to lean back on my truck and cross my arms over my chest. My chest swells with pride each time Ava shakes her head no and tells them where she’s going.

  “I’ll text you in the morning, guys. I’m ready for bed.”

  Darby and Chloe slump their shoulders in defeat and finally turn away. Chloe drove her fire red sports car to the hospital once Darby called her, and I signal to Rhett to catch a ride with them. He waggles his eyebrows and has no problem with it. I know him and Darby have been going at it like rabid beasts, but don’t seem connected at all.

  I shut the door with ease as I climb in trying not to make too much noise.

  “Doing okay?”

  Ava nods and then begins to slowly slide over on the seat until she’s nestled underneath my arm.

  “Why does he hate you so much, Zane?”

  My hand freezes on the key. It’s a question that I don’t have an answer to. “I don’t know baby.”

  “He acts like he knows me.”

  I shift in my seat to pull her to my chest, trying to take the fear out of her voice. “Are you sure you don’t know him from anywhere?”

  “I don’t know him, Zane.”

  “High school? Elementary school? A camp from when you were younger? College?”

  “Nothing.” Her arms wrap around my torso, cementing herself to me.

  “I have no damn idea what in the hell is going on.” My hands run down her messy ponytail.

  “He was so normal and nice when I met him and it’s like he flipped a switch all of a sudden. And I feel like I’m his trigger and I have no idea why.”

  The thought is on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t dare speak it.

  “What if it has to do with my dad?”

  Ava reads my mind and the current thought I’m processing.

  “Has shit like this ever happened before?” I’m not sure I really want her to answer this.

  “Not really, but it’s election year and anything can happen.”

  “But what’s the benefit?”

  “Bad publicity. My dad getting distracted from the campaign trail, but they must not know him very well because he wouldn’t even blink over this.”

  She’s been attacked and is in pain, I have to keep reminding myself of these two things, so I don’t explode over wha
t she just shared with me.

  “I’m going to grab takeout and then we’ll go home.” I shift in my seat, but keep one arm wrapped around her. Her petite hand wraps around mine wrapped around her waist.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “You will be and you’ll need food to take the pain meds.”

  “Yes, doctor.”

  Ava reaches forward and turns up the song on the radio and before I know it, I can feel her deep and hypnotic breathing. I don’t have to look down to ask if she’s asleep and before long, her light snores join the song playing on the radio.

  I pick from the five drive ins from town and then race home. It’s late. Damn late at that. Rhett’s mom is with Grandpa. The thought of Ava taking care of my grandpa is now a comforting one. I know where she’ll be and have Rhett’s dad on the lookout for Oliver. I have plans for that little fucker and I’m pretty sure he won’t be a problem. The perks of running this town and having the bad boy persona.

  17

  Ava

  Lying will have to become my game and I’ll have to play it really well. The base of my neck is on fire and every inch of my spine screams in pain. Zane started a hot shower for me and rushed to make breakfast before he left. I’m staying the day with his grandpa to shadow the nurse and hell, let’s be honest, I’m going to be the second patient.

  The softest towel feels like bricks on my back as I do my best to gently dry off. I pull on Zane’s sweat pants and one of his hoodies. It wouldn’t hurt the boy to take a few seconds to clean his room, wash, and fold some of his clothes. No wonder the sexy beast wears the same thing day in and day out. Boxer wrappers and tags from new t-shirts are strewn everywhere.

  I sit on the edge of the bed realizing I’ve never noticed his personal little tornado since we’ve always been pre-occupied while in here entertaining his bed. I snag the two orange bottles of pills and begin to push piles of clothes in a mound with my foot. My phone rings on the nightstand, Zane’s name flashes across the screen, and my aches and pains vanish into the air.

  The man is the best medicine and his tender care last night and this morning let me know everything I need to about him. All of my worries and hesitations are gone and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt there’s something more between us. I’ve been disrespected as a woman in front of boyfriends, with them to only turn their cheek. Never has anyone stuck up for me like Zane.