Chapter 20 #2
“I’m okay, really I am. I just needed to get out of there for a while.
It’s been a rough week.” I say as I side step Marie and walk into the bathroom in search of painkillers.
My arm and hand feel like they’re on fire.
I glance down at my arm and see a massive, diagonal purple bruise already formed.
Raising my hand I see the top of it has a bruise to match.
Shit. I hope none of them saw it. Gingerly, I flex my fingers and bend my wrist to make sure nothing is broken.
I open one of the drawers under my sink and almost sob when I see a bottle of dual action pain relievers.
I grab the bottle and twist the cap, then drop four in my hand and turn on the bathroom sink.
After I toss the pills into my mouth, I lean down and fill my mouth with water.
I toss my head back to swallow them, then shut off the sink and walk back into the bedroom.
Marie watches me like a hawk as I cross my arms, making sure to tuck the bruised one so that she can’t see it.
I brush my hands up and down my arms and shiver.
Marie notices and nods. She steps into my closet and emerges with a cardigan.
She hands it to me and I gratefully take it.
I hurry and slide my arms into the sleeves, thankful that the nasty bruise is now hidden.
I don’t think either my hand or arm is broken.
I can move them; it just hurts like hell.
Marie sits on the edge of my bed and pats the spot next to her. I lower myself and she wraps her arms around me as I place my head on her shoulder.
God I’ve missed her.
“Do you want to talk about it, baby?” She croons and I shake my head. We sit like that for a long while before she releases me.
“Come on, it’s time to start dinner.” She says and slowly stands from the bed. I smile and follow her back down into the kitchen, taking my place at the island as I watch her cook like I’ve always done. At some point, Uncle Nick joins us.
“We don’t have to talk right now, Princess, if you don’t want to.
Stay here tonight and we can talk about this tomorrow.
” He says as he rubs my back. Relief floods me and I lower my head to the cool granite top of the island.
I don’t know what I’m going to tell them, but I’m so grateful he isn’t pushing for answers right now.
After dinner we all make our way into the living area for a movie.
It was Marie's idea and I can’t wait to shut my brain off and stare at a screen for a while.
At some point during the movie I begin to fall asleep, so I excuse myself and go up to my room.
I check my phone to see I have no new calls or messages and scoff.
He probably didn’t even realize I left.
I toss the phone onto the bed and go into the bathroom to take a shower. The angry bruise on my arm looks worse and it stings as I slide the cardigan off. The water from the shower makes it hurt even more.
An hour later and I’m now laying in my bed staring up at the ceiling.
It’s well after midnight and I just can’t fall asleep despite the fact that I’m exhausted.
My phone vibrates next to me and the screen lights up the room.
I stare at it for a moment before I roll my eyes and grab it. It’s a text from Preston.
Preston
Butterfly, I am so sorry. Please come back home. I fell asleep watching the baseball game and I didn’t know you left.
Lizzy
I don’t want to come home right now, Preston. You really hurt me. I’ll come home in the morning, I promise. Maybe a night apart will be a good thing.
I hold my breath as I watch the dots pop up and then disappear before the next message comes in.
Preston
You know I can’t sleep without you next to me. I’m so sorry I hurt you, Lizzy. Please. Come outside. I swear I’ll make this right.
Come outside? Please don’t tell me he’s here.
Flipping the covers off of me, I tip toe over to the window.
Peeking through the blinds, I look down into the driveway and see Preston leaning up against the hood of his car.
His head snaps up and his eyes meet mine from where he stands.
He looks like hell. His hair is disheveled and I can see from here he has bags under his eyes.
Maybe he really is sorry this time. My phone vibrates again.
Preston
I know you probably don’t believe me, but I’ll show you. I promise I will never do anything like that again. I love you, Butterfly. Knowing I hurt you makes me sick. I hate myself for it.
The cracks in my heart start to fill themselves in as I read the message over and over. I don’t want to sleep without him either. I respond.
Lizzy
I’ll be right down.
I slip my shoes on my feet and the cardigan back over my arms. I wince as the material slides over the bruise on my arm.
After pulling my hair out from under the cardigan so it falls onto my shoulders, I send one more text.
This time to Uncle Nick. Thankfully, I know he’s asleep and won’t see it until the morning.
If he was awake he would try to stop me, or he’d kill Preston right out in the driveway.
Lizzy
Thank you so much for coming to get me today. I missed you so much. I’m going to go home. I promise I’m okay. I love you.
I make my way down the staircase and step outside. I quietly shut the front door and walk over to where Preston stands at his car. He pushes himself off the hood and rushes to me, wrapping me in a hug. I lightly wrap my arms around him and he sways me side to side.
“Oh thank God. I’m so sorry, Lizzy. So, so sorry.” He whispers into my hair and I don’t say anything. I revel in the moment. This is the Preston I fell in love with. Gentle, sweet and kind.
“Let’s go home.” He says and grabs my bruised hand.
“Ah.” I whisper-shout and instinctively pull my hand back and clutch it to my chest. Preston looks at me for a moment before his eyes soften and he lowers his head.
He walks over to the car and opens the door for me.
I slide in the seat and he buckles my seatbelt.
He goes to pull away but stops to plant a long kiss on the top of my head.
I keep my eyes down at my knotted fingers in my lap as he rounds the car then gets in the driver's seat.
We ride home in silence. Preston keeps his hand planted on my thigh and I stare out the window.
I’m glad he apologized and doesn’t try to push me to talk.
I just want to get home and curl up in his arms in the bed.
We can talk tomorrow. We pull back into the driveway and Preston exits the car then comes to open the door for me.
We walk to the front door, his arm wrapped around me.
He opens the door and I make my way up the stairs and to our bedroom.
After removing my cardigan I slide into bed and he lays down beside me.
He puts his arm around me and pulls me into him.
I lay my head on his chest and he releases a breath.
He pulls me tighter to him and I close my eyes.
“I’m really sorry again, Lizzy. I love you so much. Thank you for coming home.” He whispers and drops another kiss on the top of my head.
“I love you too.” I whisper. I feel myself start to drift off to sleep and he speaks again.
“I hope you had a good visit with your uncle. And I hope you said your goodbyes. You won’t be seeing him again.” Preston says in a low, menacing tone; a one-eighty from the soft, sweet whispers just a moment ago.
My eyes flash open and panic grips my chest. I try to pull away but he squeezes me tighter. Tears gather in my eyes. I keep them at bay and soon, Preston starts to softly snore.
I stare blankly into the darkness for hours before my eye lids start to get heavy.
I shouldn’t have left Nick’s.