Chapter Seven #2
“The writing was awful!” Janet exclaims. “I’ve never seen so many adverbs.”
“Who cares?” Bridgette challenges. “The sex scenes were scorching. I don’t read erotica for the grammar any more than I watch Magic Mike for the stellar acting.” Everyone laughs and the discussion rattles on. Marie signals for me to join her in the back, and she doesn’t look happy.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She grabs my arm and tugs me onto the patio. All the tables are empty except for one. Macy sits slumped over in her chair, her head in her hands as her elbows rest on the table. “Show her, honey. You can trust Ev.”
Pitiful bloodshot eyes meet mine and I’m filled with anger at the sight of her face. Her bottom lip is split and her top is swollen and puffy. She sighs as I sit beside her. “What happened?”
“It looks worse than it is. Marie’s making too much of it.”
“Who hit you?”
“He’s so pissed because I won’t take him back.”
“Al did this?”
“He calls my job all day. I’m lucky I haven’t been fired. I’ve been staying with a friend, and he bangs on her door every night, then parks across the street for hours when I won’t answer.”
“Have you called the police?”
“No! Who knows what he’d do!” Her eyes are wide and terrified as she stands to leave. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Stop.” I grab her hand and stare her in the eye. “We aren’t going to do anything you don’t want us to.”
“Ev, he’s stalking her. He hit her. She needs to press charges,” Marie insists.
“And he’ll be out of jail the next day looking for her.”
“Exactly,” Macy sighs, relieved I understand her position.
“Is there somewhere safe you can stay tonight? You’re welcome to come home with me.”
“I…you don’t have to do that.”
“Please, let me help.” I explain all about Striking Back and the services they provide. “They can protect you. Get you the legal help to keep him away from you. I work with them, and they’re wonderful people. We can go in the morning.”
“Thank you.” She hugs me. “I feel so stupid.”
“Don’t. You didn’t ask for this, and you were smart to leave when he got controlling. Come home with me. I’ll tell you about my month. Show you the true definition of stupid.” We laugh and after Macy calls her friend to bring her a change of clothes, we head to my apartment.
We’re relaxing with two huge bowls of ice cream when Mason texts me.
-Evie, please call me. It’s not what it looks like.-
Noting my expression, Macy asks, “Is that him?”
“Yes. I’m not calling him.” It’s so hard not to talk to him, but I won’t let this go any further. I’ve been cheated on before and I won’t deal with it again.
“Men are dicks. Maybe I should just be a lesbian.”
“Bitches are crazy too,” I point out.
We’re up early the next morning and Macy is a bundle of nerves as we step through the back door of Striking Back. “It’ll be okay,” I reassure her, squeezing her hand.
I called to explain her situation, and Ms. Den is waiting for her to arrive.
“You have my number,” I remind her. “Call me anytime.” After we share a quick hug, Ms. Den sweeps her away to get settled.
I spend the next few hours with the residents, laughing and chatting, playing a board game with the kids.
I want to make the most of it. After all, this may be the last time I get to spend time here.
Just as I’m about to leave, Mason texts again.
-I’m leaving town for a few days. I’ve tried to give you some space, but we’re going to talk when I return. I miss you, Everly.-
A pain settles in my chest at the thought of never seeing him again, but it has to be this way. By the time he returns, I’ll have said goodbye to everyone at S.B. and be on my way to getting over him.
There must be some big event going on downtown because traffic is a bitch.
I cut through a narrow alley to get to my car that’s parked a block away.
I’m completely lost in thought when a sharp pain slices through the back of my head.
“Stupid bitch,” a voice growls, and I’m shoved to the ground, my body slamming into the concrete.
“What?” I’m dizzy and my confused brain can’t comprehend what’s happening. My eyes adjust, showing me a close up view of someone’s discarded cigarette butt. When I turn my head to see my attacker, a black boot slams into my temple, and I dive into the welcome fog of unconsciousness
Voices reverberate through the mist, but I only catch bits and pieces of conversation.
“Cat scan.”
“Where the fuck were you?” That sounds like Mason. What’s he doing here?
“I’m sorry. I only lost sight of her for a minute.”
Darkness floats over me again. When I can finally force my eyes open, my breath catches at the sight in front of me. Mason is slumped in a chair beside my bed, his long legs stretched across the floor. He’s asleep with a frown on his face.
I need to sit up. My head feels full of angry hornets, fighting to escape. Just a small attempt to change position sends a wave of nausea through me and I groan as pain pierces my back. “Evie?” Mason’s eyes pop open. “Don’t move, love. You’re hurt.”
No shit. “What happened?”
The mattress sinks as he settles his big body beside me and takes my hand. “You were attacked. Do you remember anything?”
“I was walking from S.B. and someone hit me from behind.”
“Did you see who it was?”
“No, my eyes were blurry.”
Mason presses a hand against my shoulder when I try to sit up. “It’s okay, baby. You need to be still.”
Panicked, I reach between my legs, breathing a sigh of relief when I realize I’m still wearing my panties. “Attacked? Was I? Did he?”
Understanding dawns on his face and he embraces me, whispering in my ear. “No, love. He didn’t touch you. Apparently, he hit you in the head more than once. He ran when someone came to help.”
“I want to go home. Will you get my phone so I can call Ian?”
“He just left to get a coffee. He’ll be right back, but you aren’t going home. You have a concussion and two cracked ribs. They want to keep you overnight.”
The memories of the last few days sweep over me. He cheated. More than once. “I appreciate you coming, Mason, but I’m okay. You don’t need to stay.”
“Shut up, Evie. I’m not going anywhere. Now, does anything hurt?”
“Everything hurts,” I admit.
His warm lips brush my forehead. “I’ll get a nurse.”
My nurse is a plump pleasant older woman with a comforting smile. She adds a painkiller to my I.V. and shows me how to call for her before leaving the room. My eyes droop from the drugs, and Mason pulls the blanket over my chest.
“Rest, baby. I’ll be right here beside you.” As much as I hate to admit it, his reassurance is comforting. I want him beside me.
When I come to again, Ian is sitting next to me, his eyes bloodshot. “Hey, Pup. How do you feel?”
“Thirsty,” I reply in a strained voice. He helps me sit up and hands me a cup of ice water.
“I’m so sorry. I never should’ve taken you home.” His voice cracks.
I reach to squeeze his hand. “Don’t, this isn’t on you. I can’t stay with you forever. It’s not your fault some psycho attacked me.”
He nods, wiping his eyes. “The cops want to talk to you when you’re up to it.”
“Because that’s done me so much good in the past.”
“We’re going to find out who’s doing this. I promise.”
“Have them check the women in the pictures. My car was vandalized during my first date with Mason. The pictures and note were delivered after we went away for a few days. I was attacked outside his organization. It’s someone he’s fucking or someone he dumped.”
The doubt on Ian’s face pisses me off. “You don’t believe me?”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong. It could well be a disgruntled ex, but you need to talk to Mason, Ev. The pictures don’t necessarily mean he was cheating.”
Tears fill my eyes. It’s too much, the pain in my head and body doesn’t compare to the ache in my heart.
Listening to Ian side with Mason again makes me feel like I’ve lost him too.
“No, Everly.” Ian crawls in bed beside me, careful not to pull my I.V.
He guides my head gently to his chest. “I’ve got your back, always.
You know that. You’ve been through a lot the past few weeks.
Right now, you just need to rest. Don’t worry about anything but getting better. ”
“I want to go home.”
“I know, but it isn’t safe.”
“I can’t keep staying with you.”
“I want you to, but I won’t be home during the day, and until we catch this asshole you can’t be alone.” He holds me tighter. “God, Everly, he could have killed you. I’ve never been so scared in my life. When Mason called me…”
“Wait. How did Mason know where I was?”
Mason enters with a duffel bag and answers my question. “My security detail was monitoring you.”
“You had me followed?” I demand.
“I had you protected.”
“They did a bang up job,” I snap.
His face softens. “The guard lost you in the crowd. When he figured out you cut down the alley, he was too late. He got a brief glimpse of the man who attacked you. We’ll catch him.”
I bring my hands to my head, closing my eyes.
It’s all too much. My boyfriend was having me monitored without my permission while he was probably off with some new bitch.
Someone is out to hurt me, even kill me.
A wave of nausea sweeps over me and I take a deep breath.
Throwing up would be excruciating right now.
“You have to take it easy, love, and let us keep you safe.”
“You’re sure it was a man?”
“Yes,” Mason replies. “I promise he won’t touch you again. I’ll have security at my house around the clock.”
My eyes pop open. “I’m not going home with you.”
Ian sighs. “It’s the safest place for you.” His pleading eyes meet mine. “Please, Everly, just trust me. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
With a deep sigh, I give up. “Fine, whatever you want.” I’m too exhausted and in too much pain to argue. “Will you ask the nurse if I can have something for nausea?”
“Of course.” Ian scoots off the bed and plants a kiss on my forehead.
Mason sits on the edge of the bed. “I know I’m not your favorite person at the moment, Evie, but I’m just trying to do what’s best for you. When I found out you were hurt, I couldn’t get here fast enough. I don’t really remember the drive here. Just a lot of honking and cursing.”
“From you or the other drivers?”
A small smile tilts his lips and he adjusts my blanket. “A little of both.”
“You said you were leaving town.”
“I was at the airport when I got the call. Parker went in my place.”
“I’m sorry. This isn’t your problem.”
I close my eyes as his fingers sweep lightly across my forehead, brushing a strand of hair from my eyes. “You could never be a problem, Panda.”