Chapter 30
Rory
I’ve never had strong feelings about hospitals before, but after being stuck in one for almost twelve hours, I’m sympathetic to those who hate hospitals. I’m not sure how I’m going to afford this, but it’s a problem for another day. Kyle and Wes haven’t left my side, and I can’t remember the last time I felt so safe and loved. However, if Kyle doesn’t stop pacing, I’m going to kick his ass out.
“Kyle, you have to stop,” I tell him.
“I can’t help it! I’m full of pent-up energy or some shit.”
“Do you need something to do?” He slowly looks over my body and smiles seductively. “Not me!”
I laugh at the pout he gives me before seeing his own smile. Playful Kyle isn’t usually something he shows in public, so I appreciate the humor.
“I was thinking you could maybe get in touch with Morgan. Let her know I’m okay? We didn’t have any plans, but it feels like she should know. That’s what friends do, right?”
Kyle nods. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’m sure she’d want to know. I’ll send her a message. Is the officer coming soon?”
I grimace and look away. I have zero desire to talk to the police about what happened, but Kyle and Wes both felt it would be a good idea. They never pressured me, but we had a conversation about why it might help and their fears and concerns. Both of them listened to my side as well, and after I detailed out what happened to them, they reiterated the point of safety. I know they’re right; it’s just hard to talk to someone in a legal sense about it. For some reason, that makes it more real.
That was a couple of hours to go. Since then, the doctor has cleared me for discharge. The nurse agreed that I could stay until I speak with the police officer, so we’re waiting for him to show before we leave. Wes ran out earlier this morning and brought back fresh clothes for me along with coffee, and I’m grateful to be wearing something clean. Kyle steps out to call Morgan while Wes and I watch some daytime TV and wait. So far, we’ve found three men who are the father, and two who are not.
“How come we can’t thumbs down people in real life?” Wes asks.
I snort. “What?”
“They all boo and hold their thumbs down. I feel like we should be able to do that to people in real life. You get cut off on the highway and thumbs down people in protest.”
“I’m not sure if that would accomplish anything, but now I want to see you do it,” I tell him, laughing.
A knock comes from the open door, and I turn to see a police officer standing there. Wes stands to greet him with a handshake. Since I’m not technically allowed out of bed without a nurse due to hospital protocol, I hold my hand out as well to greet the officer.
“Hi, I’m officer Davies. I responded to last night’s call and Wes contacted me today to get a rundown of what happened.”
“You were here last night?” I ask.
“Yes, seems there was an altercation outside your room.”
I turn and narrow my eyes at Wes.
“I wasn’t trying to keep it from you. I’m sorry, I didn’t think.” he apologizes.
Sighing, I give him a tired smile. “Okay, I get it.”
Officer Davies clears his throat, “Can you tell me what happened last night? I wasn’t the officer on the scene when the ambulance was called, but I got the basic report from a law enforcement perspective. I’d like to hear your side, too.”
I nod and explain to the officer how the evening was and what happened when I left. Part of me feels a little guilty when I admit my coworker offered to walk me to the car and I declined, but Officer Davies must have ESP because he assures me that I shouldn’t feel guilty. I had no way of knowing what would happen. I hesitate a little and look at Wes.
“You should tell him the whole story, probably,” Wes says.
“Is this repeat behavior from this man?” Officer Davies looks up from his notes at me.
I sigh. “Somewhat, yes. This is the first time he actually hit me. He was emotionally abusive throughout our entire relationship, and when he threw me to the ground for the first time, I got out. I broke it off and stopped engaging with him. Then he started showing up at my job every day, just staring at me from his spot at the bar.”
“So we can add ‘stalking’ to the list of offenses,” Officer Davies states.
I take the time to go into detail about everything that’s happened since I met Kyle and Wes, and as I do, Kyle comes back in, sitting next to Wes and leaning forward. I also give the officer names of people who can corroborate my side of the story and tell him my mother is someone who would actually take Nathan’s side. He seems taken aback that I have no family who would side with me other than a child, but he doesn’t comment. Finishing up my side of things, I look at Kyle and Wes to see if they want to add anything. Neither has anything to add, so Officer Davies adds a couple more notes to his notebook and puts everything away.
“I’m going to go ahead and add this to the report that was filed last night from the call. I would highly recommend you contact the station and pursue a restraining order on this man. His behavior is escalating, and I’d hate to see anything more happen to you. Nobody deserves to be treated this way.”
I thank him and we shake hands again before he leaves my hospital room. I lean back against the bed, sighing in exhaustion. Looking at both of my boys, I smile.
“Let’s go home.”
“Which home?” Kyle asks.
It feels like a big question. If I say my apartment, neither will blink an eye and I know they’ll be there for me every step of the way. If I tell them their house, though, it feels like a bigger statement. It feels like a commitment of sorts. Nothing they would hold me to, but me acknowledging how deep in this I am.
“Your house,” I tell him.
They both smile widely and press the nurse call button so we can be escorted out of the building.
I’m settled in at Kyle and Wes’ house, happy as a clam on the couch surrounded by pillows and blankets. Kyle has helped me get things where I want them on the couch, instinctively knowing how to make it as cozy as possible. He’s my kindred soul in all things comfy. Morgan is on her way over and the guys are cooking up some kind of dinner for us. I told them I don’t have any preferences, so I’m sure whatever they come up with will be perfect.
Someone at the door knocks before twisting the handle and poking their head in. Morgan looks tentative at first, but smiles at me the minute she sees me surrounded by pillows and blankets on the couch.
“Hey!” she says, stepping into the room fully.
“Hey you!”
“Fuck, your face!”
“You wanna fuck my face? I mean you gotta ask the boys first…”
Morgan throws her head back in laughter and comes in, setting a bag on the coffee table and plopping down next to me. “Okay, for real, though, are you okay?”
I shrug. “I think as okay as I’m going to be for now. The guys want me to file a restraining order and I can’t say I blame them for it.”
“It sounds like a smart idea. What do you think?”
“It’s smart, I admit that. It’s also scary and I’m afraid that if I do, he’ll just ignore it and come for me even harder than before.”
She nods and reaches into the bag, pulling out a package of M&M’s. I grin as she opens it and sets it between us on the couch. My hand shoves into the bag and I down a mouthful of the chocolatey goodness. She grabs her own handful, and we chew thoughtfully.
“I mean, honestly, there’s nothing stopping him going at you now. If you have the restraining order, he’ll at least have reason to think about it first, and you have better legal standing to pursue charges against him. It seems like the better option overall. It’s scary though, that’s for sure.”
I nod, agreeing with her, and the guys choose that moment to come into the room, bowls of homemade fried rice in their hands. Kyle hands one to me while Wes hands one to Morgan and we all settle in.
“Thanks for the food. It smells amazing,” Morgan says, grinning.
“Thanks for coming over with goodies,” I tell her.
My spirits are lifted as the four of us sit and watch a movie, happily munching on dinner and the various snacks that Morgan brought with her. She leaves after one movie and I scoot over on the couch, inviting Wes and Kyle to sit on either side of me. They snuggle under the blankets with me, and I feel safe and warm.
“I should file the restraining order,” I tell them.
“Sounds smart to me. What’s holding you back?” Kyle asks.
“Fear.”
“Of?”
“Retaliation. What if Nathan ignores it? I never thought he would be violent before, but clearly, I was wrong. What happens if this sets him off, and I get hurt worse?”
“What happens if this doesn’t set him off, and he leaves you alone?” Wes asks gently.
“I guess I hadn’t really thought of that.”
“Whatever you decide, we’re here with you, okay?” Kyle says.
I nod my head. “Yeah, I know.”
Kyle smiles at me and I let myself relax back into them both, enjoying the feeling of being here in their arms, safe and secure.