Chapter 6
Jackson
When I woke up, it was from a pounding headache and an excruciating pain in my ribs.
Opening my eyes, I looked around and remembered I was in Sebastian’s guest bedroom.
I tried to sit up, but my ribs hurt so fucking bad.
I remembered the kick to the stomach. Yawning hurt, so I grabbed my jaw, too.
It was sensitive to the touch, reminding me how Smith had punched me in the face.
Where were my things? Sucking up the pain, I kicked my legs over the massive bed I was in.
My right arm reached across my ribs to brace them as I slowly slid out of bed.
I needed to find my things. Had they stolen my money!
Panic started to creep in with the thought of me having to completely start over.
I walked over to the huge walk-in closet when I saw my bag on the floor.
I dug through it, looking for the money.
There was nothing. It was gone. It was all gone.
Between the pain in my body and the loss of everything I worked so hard for, I broke down into a sob.
What was I going to do? I couldn’t start over.
I just couldn’t. It had taken me so long to save the money I had.
I was a complete idiot for not opening a bank account or figuring out a way to make sure that the money was safe.
I was a fool and so I’d pay the price for it.
I was startled when I heard, “Jackson. What’s the matter?”
Falling on my ass, I slowly tried to turn around, still wincing.
“Hey, take it easy. I’m sorry I scared you,” he said.
Sebastian kneeled in front of me. It was surprisingly disarming to have him so close to me. He smelled like great, like leather and fresh, unlit tobacco leaves. “It’s ok. Tell me what’s wrong.”
I felt the tears starting to fall again. “Uh…” I sniffled and wiped my eyes. “It’s just… everything I had is gone. All of the money I’ve saved for myself, so I could get my own place, it’s all gone. Those guys took it all. I have nothing now. Nothing matters. It’s all gone.”
Sebastian stood up. “It’s okay. Let’s get you back in bed. Everything is going to be fine. I promise.”
I nodded, in a trance. I was still lost for words because I felt like a complete jackass.
Sebastian gently helped me up. It was such an odd sensation.
I had so many questions but again, I could not form words to save my life.
I suddenly felt myself getting lightheaded.
I stopped just short of the bed and leaned over, placing my hand on it.
Sebastian approached me, “I’m going to brace you. Are you ok?” He wrapped one arm around me to grab my left shoulder while his right hand held me up by my right shoulder.
It took me a second but finally I was able to say, “dizzy.”
Sebastian motioned for a spot on the bed, “May I?”
Nodding, “Yes, please. Sit. I just… I remember fighting two guys in an alley, but I don’t know what happened.”
Sebastian sat on the bed, slightly turned toward me, giving me a look of concern, or maybe it was sadness. I didn’t know. I hadn’t known Sebastian well enough to understand what certain looks from him meant. The most interaction I had with him was that day in the kitchen making coffee.
“Yeah, you were being jumped in the alley next to the men’s shelter.” I felt my eyes go wide. Did he know? “How long have you been staying there, Jackson?”
“Um…I… it’s a long story, Sebastian, and I’d rather not get into it right now.” I was uncomfortable and tried to move and it hurt like hell, making me wince again.
Sebastian stood up and put his hands in his pockets.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to step on your privacy.
You don’t have to tell me anything, but I do want to make sure you’re okay moving forward.
We can talk more when you’re feeling better.
” He started to walk toward the door and stopped just shy of leaving to turn and look at me.
“You’re in my home, Jackson. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need.
Remember, the bathroom is down the hall.
You’re safe here and welcome to the kitchen or anything else.
You’re still getting paid from work, but they are aware you will be out for a bit. Don’t worry about anything.”
Safe, I thought. Before I could think through everything, he was out the door.
I didn’t even get to say thank you. I stared at the door, dumbfounded.
I was in Sebastian Moore’s home, sleeping in his…
well, one of his beds. I was still getting paid from work.
Nothing felt real. The one thing that was real was that all of my money was gone, and I didn’t know how to reconcile that.
Slouching down into the bed, I just kept telling myself I was safe and that in and of itself was hard to accept. I needed to heal. Before I knew it, I was asleep again.