When we got home Scarlett went up to her room and I followed. “Scarlett, can I talk to you?” I asked. If I need guy advice, Scarlett is the one to ask. She dated almost every kind of guy out there. She is the hoe of the family. She even called it.
“Yeah, what is it?” I sat on her bed and played with her fuzzy pink pillow. I don’t remember when she got this but I have a matching blue one in my room.
“Um, how should I say this?” I asked. “There are these two guys I like. One of them I see everyday and the other just came into my life. I like them both but I don’t know what to do.” She sat in front of me with her Em-finally-needs-me sister look.
“I had this problem before.” She said smiling at some old memory.
“Of course you did.” I said with a playful eye roll.
“Well who do you like more? The guy who just came into your life or the one you see everyday?” She asked.
“I don’t know. I feel the same. No, not really. When I see one of them, my heart jumps. I love to be around him. Period.” Just thinking about Alex is getting me excited.
“Well, this is easy. I think you know what to do. If that person makes you feel like you can’t live without them, go for it.” Scar said and I smiled. I stood up and went to the door. “Emily, one of them is Alex, right?” My smile widened. She would know this. “Thought so, who is the other guy?” I opened the door and looked back at her. I’m not telling her. It’ll get weird.
“I have to go do something. Thanks for the talk.” I said.
She gently grabbed my arm. “Who’s the other guy?”
“Hey, I have to go.” I said walking down the hall. I turned around and sighed. Man, she really wants to know. I said, “Bryan.”
Her face changed but I didn’t stick around to ask questions. I have to do something and I don’t want to chicken out.
I got into Declan’s car and drove.
I called Alex but he didn’t answer. I really don’t want to be that girl who can’t be away from a guy so I texted but didn’t get anything.
I got a text back but it wasn’t from Alex.
Him: Emily, did you forget about me? I told you not to tell anyone about what happened that night. Alex came home earlier than I expected.
I felt my stomach drop. I called Alex again but no answer. I drove faster to his house. Screw being that girl! He could be hurt.
The lights were on so someone’s there. I put the car in park and jumped out. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let him in my life. If he’s hurt…I don’t know what I would do.
I rang the doorbell a few times but he never came to the door.
I peeked down the stairs at the driveway. His car is here. I knocked hard on the door and nothing. Come on! I walked down to the driveway. He better be here. There was a light on in the back of the garage. The doors were closed but there was one meant for walking through. I walked toward it and opened the door. “Alex?” I called out.
I walked in and saw rows and rows of expensive cars. Jesus.
I walked in even more and someone grabbed my shoulder.
I screamed.
“Hey, it’s only me.”
I turned around and saw Alex. I was sobbing at this point. I pulled him into me and hugged him. He could have answered the phone.
“Answer your fucking phone next time.” I snapped. “He texted me and said you came home early. I thought something happened.”
“I lost my phone when I was getting off the plane. How did you get here?” He said wiping my tears away.
That’s when I got a good look at him. He’s fine.
“I came here to tell you something.” I said sniffling. There goes the sexiness I had planned in all of this.
“What?”
I hesitated. I don’t want to tell him, I want to show him. I put my hand on the back of his neck and brought him closer to me then I pressed my lips into his. He loosened up a bit and wrapped his arms around my waist. I put my arms around his neck and pressed him harder against my body. He’s so warm and muscular. This feels perfect.
My left side doesn’t hurt right now. Maybe it did but I didn’t feel it. I was only focused on Alex. On his lips on mine, his hands on my body and the way he’s walking me backwards until I was pressed up against a car. His tongue pushed past my lips and met mine. Fucking perfect…
I couldn’t hold back…until I got this excruciating pain in my chest.
I put my hand over my heart as Alex tore his lips from mine.
“What is it?” He asked. I doubled over in pain as I tried to speak.
“Something’s wrong.” I said.
I heard a chime. I grabbed my phone. Another text from unknown.
Him: You’re so gullible Emily. Family got in the way.
No. No, he better not have touched my family!
“Can you drive–” My heart hurts. “…drive me home?” I asked.
Alex grabbed my elbow and steered me to Declan’s car. I was in no shape to drive. And I hate how I just ruined what I came here to do.
We got to my house in less than ten minutes because of Alex’s driving. There were people everywhere. Police lights are flashing red, white and blue, blinding me until I saw someone on a stretcher going into an ambulance. I stared wide-eyed and completely speechless as we got closer.
I saw Declan standing next to the person on the stretcher.
It was Scarlett.
7. Pain
As soon as Alex parked the car, we jumped out and ran over to Declan. “Declan what happened?!” I yelled taking in the scene in front of me. I saw Scarlett lying on the stretcher and there was blood everywhere. She looked at me and something in her eyes wanted to tell me something. The oxygen mask covering her mouth wouldn’t let her say it though.
“She went to your room to talk and the next thing I know I heard her scream and the front door slammed shut.” Declan said looking at me. “I don’t think it was Scarlett he was after.” I don’t either.
“Sir, are you coming?” An EMT asked.
“Go. I’ll talk to the police.” I said trying to stay calm.
Declan nodded and leaned into my ear.
“Em, be careful. And tell the police everything. Everything.” He said giving me a pointed look before going into the ambulance and taking Scarlett’s hand.
The ambulance sped off and a police officer walked up to me. “Miss, I’m Officer Ethan Ryans. I’ll be asking you some questions, is that alright?” I nodded. “Are you related to the victim?” Victim. That is what my sister has become because of me.
“Y-yes, she’s my sister. What happened to her?” I asked as the tears ran down my face. Alex was yet again thrown into my shit but I was glad that he’s at least holding me up right now. I don’t think I can walk.
“The gentleman that was with her–”
“Declan. He’s our brother.” I cut in.
“Yes. He heard a scream and found her on the floor in a room with a stab wound to the abdomen. Your sister lost a lot of blood.” Officer Ryans found my eyes. He looks familiar, I just can’t place it. “Your brother said the attacker was waiting in a room.”
“He said he was in my room. I think he was after me.” I said. Officer Ryans looked up from his little black notepad after writing something down.
“Why would he be after you?” He asked. I glanced at Alex as he found my hand. I was shaking just by thinking about talking to this guy. Alex gave my hand a squeeze as I shut my eyes.
I have to tell him everything.
“I was…sexually assaulted.” I said finding Officer Ryans eyes a few seconds later. “He said he would kill me if I told anyone.” Ryans wrote that down.
“Do you know the attacker?” I shook my head. “Did you report it?” I shook my head and looked away in shame. I’m the idiot who didn’t go to the police the night it happened. “We’re looking for fingerprints and anything that can tell us who he is. Do you mind coming inside to verify a few things with us?” Ryans asked.
“No
, no at all.” We walked inside of the house and Ryans led us to my bedroom. I saw the pool of my sister’s blood on the carpet next to my bed.
“You need to stay outside in the hallway. You might contaminate the crime scene.” Ryans said eyeing Alex and I. “Your sister told us the man was hiding in this area.” He circled around my closet and bathroom space. “We still don’t have all the facts but when your sister recovers, we’ll get everything we need.”
“Is she going to be okay?” Alex asked before I could.
“Only the hospital can tell you that. What I can say is that she was very lucky. Unfortunately your sister was stabbed but she managed to fend him off.” Ryans said. “Is there anything missing?”
I poked my head inside of my room. Everything seemed normal. My bed was the way I left it, all my drawers from my dresser are closed and my iPod is still plugged into my iHome.
I looked at the window and saw a slight movement from the curtains. “The window’s open.” I said. Officer Ryans walked over to it and lifted the curtain with his pen.
“Did you leave it open?” He asked.
“No. I make sure they’re locked.” I said.
“Are you sure you didn’t leave it open by mistake?” I stared at him. The officers in the room were doing their own thing but I still don’t want my business out in the open.
“After everything that happened to me, I make sure they’re locked.” I said. Ryans nodded and walked over to me and Alex.
“Do you have somewhere to spend the night? We called your mother and she’ll be at the hospital.” Ryans said. I nodded. I have plenty of places I can go. It’s good to have friends you know will be there for you. I’m thinking Bryan because his family likes me, except Ella. Tiffany’s parents would probably shut the door in my face if I showed up but I know Tiff would sneak me in…
Then there’s Alex. No, I can’t.
Maybe Mark and Christy? Christy’s parents house in Somerville. They love me. I can go there. I’ll just need to drop Alex off at home and then I can drive Declan’s car up to one of their places. Probably Christy’s. Her family likes me and her younger brother, John, is awesome.
“You can go then,” Officer Ryans said. “We’ll find this guy, Ms. Vasquez. It’s just a matter of time.” I gave him a weak smile. Don’t cops always say that?
Alex steered me outside of the house. “Do you want to go to the hospital? I can take you.” He said. I looked up at him and shook my head.
“That should be me on that stretcher.” I said.
We got into Declan’s car and I thought about Alex’s question. There isn’t anything I can do for Scarlett right now. She’s in the hospital. What difference would having me there make? And all I could think about was how I should have been the one on the stretcher. I can’t look at her and not feel responsible.
A few more tears ran down my face.
“Do you want to go to my place?” Alex asked. I nodded. I’m not in the right place to drive and he did offer. Scar could have died tonight. She got hurt because of me. After all this pain he caused me, he thinks he can hurt the people I love. He can suck it. He’s not going to hurt anyone. I will find him. That is a fucking promise.
We walked inside of Alex’s house and sat down on the couch. It was white and fluffy and it made me forget about all the negative thoughts I was thinking about.
I leaned into it and stared out the large window across from me.
“How did you know something was wrong?” Alex asked me.
“Hmm?” I asked dazed.
“When we were in the garage…you said something was wrong. How did you know?” I forgot about that.
“I don’t know.” I said thinking about it. “I just got this pain in my chest and then I got a text from him.” I stared at the coffee table in front of us trying to clear my head. Scarlett’s blood on my carpet kept popping up. Subject change. “Alex, what happened in the garage…I came over to tell you that I like you. A lot. I can’t handle another minute without you next to me.” I said holding his eyes.
“I know the feeling.” He said with a smile. Not only a smile. That smile. I just know that that smile is special. Reserved for moments like this. “Do you really want to stay here or do you want to go the hospital?” He asked. “It’s up to you.”
I thought about it. I would be waiting in a waiting room for hours. Scarlett has Declan and Mom. I know it sounds selfish but Scarlett can see me in the morning.
What can I do for her right now? I thought again. Nothing.
“I want to stay here. Let me just text Declan.” I said grabbing my phone. I will not look at him. I’m blushing at the wrong time. We’re talking about my sister. She just got stabbed and I’m blushing because I said I want to stay in Alex’s house. I’m a bitch.
Me: Dec call me when Scar wakes up, tell Mom I’m with Alex
Me: I’m scared Declan.
I never thought I would be that low. I never tell Declan I’m scared. He made me into the person I am today because he wanted me to be strong. I always thought I was strong but when he left for college…I broke.
Declan: Don’t worry, Scar’s in surgery. The doc said everything will be fine. He won’t hurt you. Just make sure you’re safe.
I stared at my phone and reread that text. She’s going to be fine. Scar will be okay.
Alex pulled me into his arms when tears ran down my cheeks.
My life was getting better. I thought I was finally done with him now look what happened. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have gone to Sophie’s party. I should have stayed home packing to move to Seattle…but then I wouldn’t have this. The closeness my family and I are getting back. The strength…and Alex.
“You’re safe here. I set the security alarm. No one is coming in.” Alex said. I raised my head against his chest and let him hold me a little bit longer. I love the way his arms fell around me. I never want to let go. But I have to. So I pulled away from him.
“Alex, I can’t let you get hurt. I can’t let anyone get hurt.” I said standing up. “I have to find out who he is. Look at what he did to Scarlett.” I walked into the kitchen like I owned the place. Wow, that was unexpected.
“Do you want something to drink?” He asked following me. I know that’s not what he wanted to say but he’s starting light. I looked out through the windows just to make sure nobody was watching.
I shook my head and leaned against the counter.
“Do you still want to be around me…with everything that’s happening?” I asked. He nodded and moved closer to me.
“I will never leave. Emily, I care about you.” He said sliding a hand to the side of my face. I was waiting for him to kiss me but he didn’t, he just stared into my eyes. It was perfect for now.
Alex grabbed my hand and brought me up the stairs.
Oh, the things that passed in my mind.
He walked over to the second door on our left. As he opened the door, I recognized it wasn’t his room. “You can stay here. I’ll go downstairs and make sure everything’s okay. I’ll be next door.” He said cocking his head to the room beside this one.
Alex didn’t move though. I sure as hell didn’t. We just stayed in our small space, breathing in each other’s air and staring into each other’s eyes. I don’t know what he’s thinking about but it looks like it hurts him. His hazel eyes aren’t glowing the way they use to either.
“I was kind of use to the other bed. It’s really comfortable.” I said surprising myself. Where the hell did this confident girl come out of?
Alex searched my face then nodded. We walked over to other room and there it was. The room that started everything. He brought me up here the night of Sophie’s party. He could have left me on the couch or in a different room. Hell, he could have left me on the sidewalk and had me be someone’s problem.
“Alex…I’m not…intruding am I?” I asked sitting on his bed.
“No.” And he means it. I just know it.
“Are you coming back up? I d
on’t want to be alone.” Why am I saying this? If any girl talked to a guy like this something was up and the word sex would be floating around. I don’t do this. I don’t put myself out there. Not anymore.
“I’m just going downstairs to check a few things. I’ll come right up when I’m done, okay?” Alex said. I nodded.
I took off my shoes and climbed under the covers.
God! I hope he didn’t hear me smell the pillows as he walked out.
My mind took a different turn a few seconds later. I realized that Mrs. Diaz hasn’t call us yet. She should be back from her vacation tomorrow. After I see Scarlett I have to see what she’s doing. It’s weird that she didn’t call me yet. She’s never done this before. She’s always checking in.
Alex came back into the room and crawled in bed.
“Everything looks good.” He said.
“Good.” I tried not to stare but I couldn’t help it. I get this feeling with him that I don’t get with Bryan. I know that I’ll have to let Bryan go. It’s the right thing to do. It’s just…I hope it doesn’t ruin our friendship. I love him. I do. Just not like that.
With Alex I feel special. I always wanted to see if anything could happen between me and Bryan but now that it was, it feels weird. My gut is trying to tell me something but I don’t know what. Bryan’s a good guy. He can have any girl he wants. He just can’t have me. My heart is already in someone else’s hands. It’ll just have to wait until that someone says what he’ll do with it.
I know that Alex is the right guy for me. He’s seen me at my most vulnerable moment. He’s what made me feel special after everything that happened. Only thing is…does he want me? He did kiss me back…but that doesn’t mean anything. He could just be looking to score. I somewhat doubt that’s the case here. He kissed me back. More than once.
I smiled thinking about those kisses.
“What?” he asked. I don’t know how he can see me smiling because it’s dark in the room but he did and now I’m blushing.
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