by C. A. Harms
Forty Three
(Lexi)
I drove to the Hilton and I couldn’t stop shaking. How was I going to tell Beth that Kole had been arrested and that it was my fault? I felt sick she surely wouldn’t want us together after this. I tried to control my tears but they wouldn’t stop. I was so worried about Kole being in jail.
“I was wondering if you could find a woman by the name of Beth Hartman she is having dinner here and it is very important that I speak with her…it’s an emergency,” the young girl behind the counter excused herself and I paced the hall waiting.
“Lexi…honey is everything okay?” When I turned to face her she took in my tear stained face, “Oh my god…where’s Kole. Is Kole okay…honey please what happened?” I took a deep breath, “He got arrested.” She stared at me and I wasn’t sure what to say. I felt a fear run through me at her silence. Just when I was about to apologize she spoke. “Sweetheart you wait right here I am going to get my coat and excuse myself from dinner.” Beth rubbed my shoulder to comfort me, “Lexi he got in a fight with Matt didn’t he?” I felt a panic overtake me as I looked up at her. She smiled lightly and I just nodded my head, “I’ll be right back sweetheart.”
Beth drove Kole’s car to the police station.
I couldn’t hold back the tears as I sat in the waiting area waiting for them to bring Kole out. Beth was talking to Matt’s mother on the phone. Apparently Matt has a broken nose and Kole knocked out two of his teeth along with nine stitches above his right eye. I held my head in my hands crying at how badly our night turned out. I was startled when Kole knelt down in front of me, “Don’t cry baby…I’m fine.” I threw myself at him and wrapped my arms around his neck. He stood with me still holding him and wrapped his arms around my waist. I cried into his shoulder and he whispered in my ear that he loved me and that everything was okay.
When I heard Kole’s dad’s voice I jumped, “Kole…let’s get you home son.” I rode with Kole in his car and his parents followed. “I hate that you went to jail because of me Kole…we should have just walked away,” I ran my hand over his as he held my leg. He didn’t turn to look at me he just took a deep breath, “Lexi it wasn’t your fault…I couldn’t just walk away. He hurt you once and I have been waiting for the day I could show him that there is no fucking way he is ever going to hurt you again. Baby I don’t even remember hitting him. It happened so fast and I was so pissed. Lex hearing you was the only thing that stopped me. I don’t regret it he had it coming…if you ask me he deserves worse.”
We parked behind his parents and I knew that they were going to want an explanation. I knew they deserved it after all their son just went to jail and they had no idea why. When Beth approached us she looked directly at me and took me into her arms hugging me tightly. I looked at her in confusion.
Kole’s father spoke first, “Uncle Randy called after they stitched up Matt and took him to the jail they tried to bail him out. His bond was set to high apparently he has some charges against him that his parents weren’t aware of. Matt got in some trouble at school a couple weeks ago and there is an ongoing investigation on campus for two different accusations of sexual assault.” My knees felt weak and Beth allowed Kole to take me into his embrace. I felt him kiss the top of my head and hold me tightly to him. We made our way into the house and Kole led me to the couch where he sat closely beside me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I rested my head onto his chest. I concentrated on his voice as he whispered… ‘I love you Lexi’
I found out that Kole had told his mother about Matt and what he had done to me a few days ago. I wasn’t upset due to the circumstances of tonight it made it a little easier to get through because we didn’t have to sit up explaining everything.
Kole decided to sleep in my room and his mother was completely aware…I wanted him as close to me as possible and falling asleep wrapped in his arms was exactly what I needed. I needed to feel safe and Kole was my safety and security. He gave me so much just by being near. What I felt for him was overwhelming at times because I never thought I would have that…I never wanted it before until I met Kole I didn’t know what I was allowing myself to miss.
Epilogue
“Hurry up you slow ass,” Megan yelled from the hallway as she drug her bag out of the doorway. “I am…I keep feeling like I forgot something,” I continued to look around our dorm room. “Kole and Radley are going to send out the search party for us we were supposed to be there by now,” she complained.
Spring break had arrived and all four of us were taking a trip together.
Matt was charge with two counts of sexual assault on two different girls he had met in college. They sentenced him to four years in prison. Things were stressful after Kole was arrested but once Matt got charged a huge weight had been lifted from me. I knew that he wasn’t being punished for what he had done to me but in away…it felt like he was.
When we arrived at the Fraternity house Radley and Kole were waiting outside. I stood beside the car watching Kole. He was sitting on the trunk and when he looked up at me I couldn’t help but smile. He is beautiful…even though he held his infamous cocky grin. Slowly he slid off the car and walked toward me. He slid his arms around my waist and pinned me to the side of the car.
Kole brought his mouth close to mine and whispered, “Why are you staring Lexi?” I tried my best to imitate his cockiness, “Well if my man wasn’t so damn good looking…I wouldn’t be forced to stare.” He lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me slowly. I allowed my mind to think of nothing but Kole’s kiss. I knew things would be okay. I love Kole more every day and I know he loves me. It’s time to focus on us and let our past rest.
Away from the Sun---3 Doors Down
Say Ok---Vanessa Hudgen
Holding You---Gretchen Wilson
National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1.800.656.HOPE