I open my eyes and look around the room. Josie and Katelyn nod, showing me that I need to tell them about my marriage.
“He uh…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “About three months after we got married, he hit me. It was a reaction to what I did to him and I believed it was an accident, except he did it again a few months later. Each time he did it, he’d hold me and tend to me and promised he’d never do it again.”
A bottle of water appears in front of me. I don’t know who put it there, but I say thanks to all of them. I take a long drink before I continue. “The night before he left for this week-long business trip, he beat me. Usually it was one or two punches, but this time he kept hitting and hitting. He said he was making sure I didn’t leave him for another man while he was gone, said that no one would want me if I were bruised.
“I waited half the night to make sure he wasn’t coming back and I called my dad. He took me to the hospital and to the police station, but all they did was take pictures. Damien’s best friend is one of the Sergeants on the force and he kept asking me who did this to me and when I told him, he just shook his head. The next morning my dad had all the necessary divorce papers drawn up. I signed and emptied our bank account and bought a one-way bus ticket across the country. We stopped in Beaumont and I didn’t get back on the bus. I thought I was far enough off the beaten path that he’d never find me.”
“Where are you from?” Jimmy asks.
I sigh. “Blaine, Washington. It’s a small town near the Canadian border.”
“Come on let’s go home,” Liam says softly as he stands. Harrison follows and comes to stand behind Katelyn. He wraps his arms around her and kisses her cheek. Josie stays with me, her hand rubbing my back.
“Can someone walk me home?” I ask. As much as I want to say goodbye to everyone and I think it will be best if I just leave; I want to make it home first and pack a few things.
“Yeah, I’ll walk you back.” All eyes turn to Jimmy who stands there like what he just said is no big deal.
“She’s not going home, she’s coming to our house,” Liam announces. I open my mouth to protest, but he holds his hand up. “For all we know he’s been following you around and knows where you live. We aren’t taking any chances until we can get Paul to check him out.”
“Paul’s too busy with—”
“With what, doing police business? It’s his job and I know he doesn’t take too kindly to men who raise their hands to women. Come on, let’s go.”
Josie stands and takes my hand. Lights are switched off as we walk out as a group. I try not to look around and see if Damien is standing there, watching. I know he is. I can sense him crawling around on my skin. I huddle closer to Josie, trying to hide. It will be no use though. He’s found me now. He’ll find me again.
I climb into the backseat, followed not by Josie, but by Jimmy. Once the car doors shut and the dome light goes off, he slides his hand into mine. I know not to think anything of this. He’s just being kind, but it’s nice to feel his hand in mine. It’s almost like it’s the reassurance I need to leave my new family behind.
I lean my head on his shoulder. He doesn’t tense like I thought he would. He shifts so that I’m leaning on his chest. He holds me, stroking my hair. He kisses the top of my head. But as soon as I clutch his t-shirt he pulls away. I sit up and stare out the window, turning away from him. Someday when he decides to settle down, I have no doubt he’ll be a good husband to someone, although that someone will have to be at least ten to fifteen years younger to keep up with him. He won’t have a problem finding someone. The women flock to him, they desire him.
I rest my hand on my stomach and rub my thumb back and forth. This is the reason I need to leave. I need to protect my baby and I know its dad won’t be around so leaving won’t a big deal. Damien can’t know I’m pregnant. It will surely set him off. His face, full of rage, flashes before my eyes. He’ll kill me. I know this in my heart.
Jimmy reaches for my hand again, but I pull away. I don’t need his sympathy. I don’t want it. I was stupid to stay here for so long. It’s time to leave.
WE sit around. No one’s talking. Each one of us is on eggshells. Harrison is convinced we were followed. I didn’t pay attention. I was too busy being selfish and wondering why it’s okay for Harrison and Liam to comfort her, but I can’t. I pulled away from her hesitantly when she grabbed my shirt. I freaked out. But now she’s pulled away and I’m left scratching my head. She doesn’t know what that does to a man’s ego. Or maybe she does. By her I mean Jenna. I wanted to hold her hand, to let her know that I’m here, but she doesn’t want that.
I take one look around the room and walk to the front door. I need a break, a breather. The tension in the air is so thick a knife wouldn’t be able to cut it. I get that everyone is worried, but I’m a firm believer in letting the police do their jobs. Liam called his friend as soon as we got here and now we just wait for him to show up. Or for Jenna’s ex to show up, whichever happens first.
I’m hoping it’s the latter. I may have had my fair share of girls, but I would never hit them. That’s just something you never do. This bloke needs his motherfucking arse kicked. He needs to know what it’s like to get beaten up over and over again. I know I could do some damage. Harrison too. But if Liam ever gets hold of the little twat, he better fear for his life. Liam may be a former high school football player, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t keep up his physique this whole time. He’s always in the gym if he’s not in the studio. Makes a guy like me look like a toothpick.
Lights flash in the drive as I step outside. I sit down and wait for whoever to walk up to the front door. I swear to God, it better be their policeman friend because if it’s that loser I’m going to knock the ever-living crap out of the bastard.
The mysterious driver gets out of the car and heads towards me with his hand on his gun. Seriously? Does he think that I’m the idiot who just threatened his ex and am sitting on the step having a cigarette before I go in? Idiot. Maybe it’s true what they say about small time coppers.
“What’s your name?”
I stub out my cigarette and hold my hand out. “Jimmy Davis at your service. I’m not the guy you’re looking for, but I’d be more than happy to help you track him down.”
He shakes my hand, but keeps his other on his gun. He makes me want to roll my eyes at the stupidity. “Paul Baker. Liam called about a possible assault.”
“They’re inside. It’s a long story.” I point towards
the house. Officer Paul Baker leans sideways to look inside the front window. He won’t be able to see anything though; Liam is pretty strict about privacy. “Come on, I’ll take you in.”
I get up and put the cigarette butt back in my pocket so I can throw it away in the house. When I open the door I expect their talking to stop, but it’s still as quiet as it was when I came outside. Paul follows me into the living room. Liam and Harrison stand when we walk in.
“Come with me, Paul,” Liam says. Harrison follows. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m an outsider regardless of my status in the band. I don’t live here. I’m not with them every day. I stand on the in between, teetering back and forth. I want to be here for Jenna because I think she’s a top lass, but shit, what the hell am I going to do? Up and leave Los Angeles because this is where my band mates want to live? I live a life there, my mates are there. My dad and granddad are there.
I look around the room and see Josie and Katelyn, but not Jenna. “Where’s Jenna?” I ask for reasons I keep to myself.