First time.Just pick yourself back up and go again. Slowly. Take your time.That’s what her mind said, but right then it also flashed images of Veronica Nash opposite her. Snarling. Fists raised. Pummelling her. And Ava froze in a seated position on the deck. With the images swirling in her mind a vivid testament, she recalled every detail of Nash’s strikes. Every one caused her to tremble and quake, reliving the nightmare that destroyed her body.
She willed herself to rise, but her body wouldn’t co-operate. Perhaps it was too soon, but she knew there was no way she could hope to survive inside the Cage if her body wouldn’t even balance on one leg. And a thought crept into her mind: what if she was done?
She took a few breaths and rolled to her side, preparing to rise, when she heard the front door open.What the hell? At this time of night?
She stayed low, not wanting to be found like this. She had to learn how to get up on her own, and she figured she could remain there even if the lights were switched on. They stayed off, however, and for a moment or two, the only sound Ava heard was that of retching and heaving. She sat up a touch and concentrated, and then understood. Ruben was hunched over the kitchen sink being sick. He wasn’t there long before he managed to make his way up the stairs rather unsteadily.
Ava pushed herself up from the lying position she found herself in and rose to her feet. She slowly made her way through the house and up the stairs, following Ruben. She heard the shower turn on just as she was about to knock on the door of the bathroom. The sound of the water hitting the tiled floor didn’t quite drown out the sobbing.
Her instinct was to rush to his side, making sure he was OK. Who cared if he was naked. But she stopped herself. What if it was because of her? What if he felt guilty because she got hurt? If so, the person that fuelled that guilt seeing him vulnerable might not be the best thing, especially when he was trying so hard to hide it.
God this was difficult. She wanted to help, but letting him know she knew, or thought she knew, what was breaking him down might make things worse.
If there was a way though, she would find it. She would find a way to help him, even if that meant pushing him and Chris to talk. Fighters never gave up.
A cold chill went down her spine as a realisation snapped into her head.You’re not a fighter anymore. You’re nothing. She swallowed. Ava didn’t know who or what she was anymore, but she knew what the man on the other side of that door meant to her. Until she figured herself out, she would stop feeling so useless and do something.
She placed her hand flat against the door as the tears on the other side continued and whispered words he couldn’t hear, “I love you.”
25
Jasmine lookedup at the gorgeous two-storey house lit up like a christmas tree in the surrounding darkness. The warmth it radiated didn’t reach inside the car. “What do you mean you’re not going in?”
Adam looked at the same house but with a look of utter contempt etched on his face. He shrugged. “I mean I’m not going in.”
“They’re expecting us. I know we’re early, but I thought it would give us time to talk before dinner.”
“Fuck ’em. I don’t give a shit what they expect.”
“What are you talking about? You agreed to this. They invited us! You said yes.”
“They asked you. Not me. The husband is the decision maker, and they completely ignored that to mock me. All that extra time you’ve been spending over here with these people. Did you think I’d just ignore that? Think again. They may think they’re slick in the poofter world, but this is reality. I will not walk in there to be humiliated.”
“You’re only humiliating yourself. They’re lovely. You don’t even know them.”
“I don’t care.”
“Why didn’t you say something? Why bring us all the way out here?”
“I can’t believe you didn’t pick up on it. Some wife you are. We’re here to prove my point. You may be tempted to go back to this life, but I’m the one who will lead you away from it. Always. You are mine and no one else’s. Especially not three faggots.”
“You know what? I am so sick and tired of this shit. You don’t want to come in? Fine. I’m going. Stay in the car to stew or fuck off home. I don’t care.”
“What did you say to me?” The reply was cold, almost a hiss.
Jasmine jumped out, slammed her door and marched away. “I didn’t fucking stutter.”
The driver’s side window rolled down and she heard “Hey. Get your arse in this fucking car, now!”
“What the hell is wrong with you? No.”
The front door of the house opened and Ava hobbled out. “What the hell is going on?”
“Oh you, of course it’s you,” Adam scoffed as he exited the car and slammed his door. “Stay out of this. It’s husband and wife business. Doesn’t concern you.”
“You’re currently being aggressive and verbally abusive on my property. So it does concern me. I think you should leave.”
“Gladly. Jasmine, get in the fucking car,” he said and Jasmine gripped Ava’s hoodie sleeve.