by Davis, Anna
"No," I told him honestly.
"But, you remember Oliver don't you? He is in fact your fiancé?" I was stunned by this news. I looked at Oliver. He didn't move a muscle but in his eyes, he was pleading.
"Yes, he is."
Oliver looked relieved. "So you can say from what you do know that Oliver would go out of his way to protect you. That he is crazy in love with you that he would attack Mr. Martin and not inform the police of the kidnapping because he feared for your life."
My mouth went dry. I didn't know the answer to that. "I don't know anything about the kidnapping," I told them. Oliver's face dropped.
"But, there are things I remember and I do know that Oliver would protect me with his life," I lied. I didn't know that but a part of me, deep down inside knew that he would. I had to lie. I couldn't just let him go to jail. Even if I don't remember.
"Now miss Fox. I have pictures of the day that you were kidnapped. All I need you to do is identify that these are you."
There was a screen on the wall. Mr. Lawrence picked up a remote and clicked a button. An image of my face popped on to the screen. The right side of my head had a dark purple bruise and my left cheek as well.
The next picture showed my wrists, which had rope burns my right wrist looked odd. I touched my wrist. It had been in a cast so long it was skinny and boney. The last picture was of my side. My shirt was stuck to my side with blood. Lots of blood. I felt queasy just looking at it.
"Is this you, Ever?" Mr. Lawrence asked gently. Everyone in the room was silent.
"Yes," I breathed.
"Miss Fox," the Judge spoke. I looked up at him.
"If you need a break we can go to recess."
I shook my head. "I'm fine," I told him swallowing. I tried to calm my churning stomach. "That's all the questions I have for you miss Fox," Mr. Lawrence said. He took his seat next to Oliver.
"Your witness Mr. Terry."
Mr. Terry stood he sauntered over to where I sat.
"Miss Fox, could you tell me how you met Mr. Wolfe?"
"Objection," Mr. Lawrence said. "She doesn't remember anything."
Judge Forrester held up his hand and looked at me. "Do you remember Miss Fox?"
"Yes, sir." I looked at Mr. Terry. "We met at the night club called Infinity," I told him. That much I did know.
"And, you know that Oliver was your English teacher at the college?"
"No." That I didn't know. "So you have no idea that he was your English teacher but you remember that he is your fiancé?"
"Yes," I lied pursing my lips. I didn't like this guy at all.
"And, how is that?"
"Because, I just do. That is a private memory I don't wish to share."
"Mr. Terry, unless it pertains to the case do not ask it," the Judge warned.
"It does," Mr. Terry spoke. "I am just trying to clarify that Miss Fox here is in no condition to be taken creditable, if she has amnesia at all. I believe that Miss Fox is just a young lady that was picked up off the street and fed information."
"I'm sorry. But don’t you think if I was fed information I would be a better liar? Wouldn't I have told you every detail of the case if I knew?" I smarted.
"Miss Fox, please," the Judge spoke I could see him trying not to laugh.
"Mr. Terry, unless you have proof of what you accuse?”
"I do. I have a witness who can prove that Miss Fox is in fact a prostitute."
"Excuse me?" I stood up glaring down at Mr. Terry.
Laughter erupted in the courtroom. The Judge banged his gavel.
"Your honor, maybe I speak?" I questioned.
Judge Forrester raised his eyebrow.
"You can't be serious," Mr. Terry scoffed.
"Go ahead Miss Fox." I jerked off my sweater and threw it in the chair behind me. The left side of the courtroom gasp. The craters in my shoulder and arm were very noticeable and none of Oliver’s gang seemed to be happy at all.
"I'm not a liar. I was shot and I was kidnapped. I might not remember anything but that doesn't mean I am lying. I am still putting the pieces of my life back together but I know one thing. Oliver is a good man and he did nothing wrong. I have memories of being with him. They are mere glimpses but I know that I was. I not a prostitute and I will not be talked to like that even if this is a court hearing."
Oliver was sitting up straight in his chair a grin on his face.
Mr. Lawrence opened his mouth to speak. "Another thing I was told Eien kidnapped me and I was then taken to Jason. No I don't know for sure but Jet was there and he does know."
I grabbed my sweater jerking it back on and sitting down crossing my arms.
"That's all we need Miss Fox," the Judge smiled.
Mr. Terry who was in shock jerked back to attention." What? But, I'm not done." "Yes, I think you are Mr. Terry. I have heard enough I don't need any more non-sense in this courtroom. I’m quite aware of all that has happened to this young lady," Judge Forester stood up picking up his gavel.
"Oliver Wolfe you are released, as for Jason Martin there will be another private hearing with your lawyer and I to discuss your sentencing on this case and the matter of attempted bribery."
My mouth dropped open. Yelling erupted then in the courtroom. All of Jason's gang jumped up yelling profanities at the Judge. Judge Forrester stood and stepped to the side were I sat still in shock.
"Miss Fox?"
"Yes sir?"
"You keep Oliver out of trouble. I can't help him next time around," he said winking at me then turned leaving out the door he came from. Jason, who was cursing and yelling, was handcuffed and escorted out of the room, but not before yelling, “This isn’t over Oliver.”
Police officers swarmed in to calm Jason's gang and get them out of the courtroom. Oliver's gang was excited and happy. They weren't even paying attention to their rivals was ushered out. As I stepped off the stand, Oliver came around the table sweeping me off my feet and spinning me around. Cradling me to his chest, he refused to let go.
"Oliver?" I muttered blushing. He sat me down then and went in to kiss me. I turned my head still blushing. He frowned but kissed my cheek.
"Baby steps," he smiled softly. I nodded. "You have no idea how grateful I am to you, Ever," he told me kissing my forehead. All I could do is just stand there. I was happy he wasn't going to jail, confused how everything just happened, but most of all lost at how I was supposed to feel. He's right, baby steps. It's going to take a while.
~Barely Clinging On~
"Kimmy, I don't wanna wear this," I muttered looking down at my black strapless dress. It showed my shoulders and my legs. So of course, my hideous scars were visible.
"You look beautiful Ever," she told me. It was Monday night and all day Oliver had been getting visitors. I had been hiding in Alex's room with Kimmy. I wasn't comfortable with anything or anyone. I sure wasn't sleeping in the same bed as Oliver tonight.
Sighing I looked at the mirror. We had been in the bathroom for a long time. All the guys had been knocking on the door but Kimmy yelled at them so they stopped. They must be using Oliver's bathroom now.
"Kimmy, can I just be alone for a second?" I asked her. She looked up from fixing my hair. She didn't say anything just nodded and headed for the door. Once she was out the door, I pressed my back against it sinking to the floor. Pulling my knees to my chest, I took a deep breath. I just needed space. I needed to breathe. I felt like I was suffocating.
I needed a break, from everything and everyone. I needed time. I mean I was happy Oliver wasn't going to jail. I was happy I was getting memories back but I just needed to breathe. I needed room. People were breathing down my neck to remember everything.
What is I wasn't ready to remember? I mean after today. Seeing those pictures was hard to bear. I didn't want to see those pictures. I couldn't face it.
Even if I love Oliver, who I'm not sure I do. I think I do but I can't remember. One thing I do know is I don't want this life. I don't want to be hu
rt, or shot. Nor did I want anyone else to get hurt, especially not for me.
All of Oliver's gang and friends treat me like family, like they had known me their whole lives. Oliver was leader of them and me being with him made me leader to. I see that in their eyes.
I've never been a leader of anything. I'm not good at anything and being the leader’s girlfriend or fiancé, whatever was the least thing I wanted to be. Maybe it was but I’m not the same person I was before.
I kicked out slamming my foot into the bathtub angrily. Jumping to my feet, I punched the wall in frustration and instantly regretted it. Shaking my now aching hand, I rested my head against the wall.
I need a drink. I felt like my mom thinking about that. Maybe this party for Oliver coming home was good for me. I need to get plastered off my ass drunk.
Straightening up I ran my fingers through my curls making sure they covered my shoulders, and then jerked the door open roughly. A boy that was in the hall jumped about a foot in the air. He was fifteen or so and looked at me as if I was a demon from hell. I cracked up at the look on his face.
"Err...can I use the bathroom?" he asked apprehensively. I nodded and patted his head. He grunted and muttered about everyone always patting him on the head like a dog and slunk into the bathroom.
Trudging down stairs the living room was full of people, but it seemed Oliver was trying to kick them out.
"Alright guys listen up. Everyone head to the warehouse. I'm sick of you all in my house," Oliver yelled.
Laughter followed and people slowly made their way out the door. Oliver was talking to a few stragglers when and arm wrapped around my shoulders.
Jake leaned down to look at me. "You know he don't bite right?"
"Well, he might but I don't wanna know about that," Jake winked. My cheeks flushed and I looked up at Oliver. He was talking to Leon and a girl with bright red hair. It was definitely unnatural. She was in a cute blue halter dress and laughing slapping Leon in the stomach.
"Is that Leon's girl friend?" I asked.
"No, I think she's his baby sister," Jake said watching her amused.
I smiled, "Cute ain't she?" I raised my eyebrow at him.
He snapped his eyes to me and grinned, "Everything with boobs is cute." "Aww Jaky I didn't know you swung both ways. If I knew I would have found you a nice guy with some moobies to take to the party tonight."
Jake's eyes widened. "What is with you and your obsession with me being gay? I'm the manliest guy here!"
I scoffed, "Yeah right."
His mouth went in a perfect O.
"Don't make me get that wooden spoon," he narrowed his eyes.
I tilted my head confused, "Wooden spoon?" He laughed, "You use to beat everyone with it when they tried to eat before the food was ready."
I pursed my lips, "That's bad manners." He laughed louder, "Yep, you always say that. You beat Logan on a daily occasion for talking with his mouth full."
I scrunched up my face. "He deserves a good smack every now and then," Oliver said coming over to us. His eyes appraised me. The look in his eyes held so much love and adoration my face got warm and I turned away looking at anything but him. The small red haired girl bounced to his side.
"You can't beat on my little brother, that would be mean," she grinned.
"Logan's your brother?" I asked.
"Well kind of," she smiled, "I'm Taylor," she held out her hand. I took it smiling. "You two can talk about it in the car," Oliver said placing his hand on my back and guiding me out to his car. I climbed in the back with Leon. Taylor sat in the middle. Jake was up front and Oliver driving.
"Where's Kimmy?"
"She went with Alex, Jet and Tyler. Logan will be out in a second." As Oliver said that, my door jerked open and Logan dove in head first across our laps. Taylor wacked him in the back, he groaned.
"I thought beating him was mean," I laughed. "Well, this time he deserved it," she laughed smacking him repeatedly. Logan swatted his hands at her.
"So you three are all related?" I asked looking at Leon, Logan and Taylor closely. Her and Leon had the same eyes, but nothing about her and Logan looked similar.
"Me and Leon have same mom different dads and Logan and Leon have same dad different moms."
I pulled my eyebrows together. "So you and Logan are like..." What did that make them? "We're only related through Leon," she smiled patting Logan's stomach, as he had rolled onto his back and was making faces at Leon. He flinched expecting her to pop him again.
"I thought Angie was coming with you?" Leon questioned.
"She'll be here next week." Taylor turned to look at me. "Leon and I lived in Seattle with our mom and my dad. But, since he came down here I decided to come and go to college for next semester at SU with my friend Angie."
I frowned. I wasn't in college anymore. I mean I missed a lot of class and the whole thing with Oliver being my teacher. I yelled at Kimmy earlier for not telling me about that. I don't think I wanted to go back to that college now at all.
"Are you in college too?"
I shook my head. "Not anymore," I told her looking out the window.
"Well that sucks."
I turned to look at her.
"Leon has told me a lot about you. I was hoping we could hang out more often."
"Well, we still can," I offered. I liked Taylor she was a nice girl.
"My butt's numb," Logan said randomly. "Well get out," Oliver told him pulling up in front of a huge warehouse. I gaped at it and looked out the window at the other warehouses around us. Everything was dark and silent other than the low beating of the music vibrating from the building before us.
"How many people are there going to be?" I asked as I stepped out. "A lot. Oliver is also recruiting newbies since. Well, we lost a few boys," Jake finished looking sad.
I nodded not saying anything. We headed to a side door. Oliver pounded on it. A slot slide open in three seconds flat the door jerked open.
"Boss!" A tall boy exclaimed. He had thick muscles and towered over Oliver but had to no older than seventeen. Oliver nodded at him, “Hey R.J.”
Wrapping his arm around my shoulder Oliver pulled me into the building. Music vibrated into my body down to my bones. I loved it. My blood seemed to pump along with it. I wanted to dance. It seemed like years since the last time I had; of course, I couldn't remember the last time.
"You can go Leon. I'm grown I can take care of myself," I heard Taylor say. Looking back Leon looked conflicted. Logan had taken off to join a group in the corner playing video games on a huge TV. Leon glanced after him, clearly wanting to go but not wanting to leave his baby sister.
"I'll watch her," Jake offered. Leon turned giving Jake a look. "You mean corrupt her into playing pranks on people," he stated.
Jake gave an offended look. "Why Leon, where ever would you get that idea?"
"What kind of pranks?" Taylor asked looking amused. Oliver looked over at Leon. "I'll watch her," he mouthed. Leon seemed satisfied with that and took off.
"You’re not going to are you?" I asked Oliver. "Nah," he laughed. "Taylor is a big girl and I trust Jake with my life. He'll take care of her but I do worry about what trouble he'll get them into."
"So people won't get mad?" Taylor asked raising her eyebrow at Jake. The two were oblivious to everything that just took place.
"Nah, I shoot paint balls at everyone all the time," Jake grinned wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "You'll be learning from the master."
"What are you going to get into?" I questioned Jake pursing my lips. I liked Taylor he had better not get her into trouble.
"Ehh… just paintballing some drunken people from the balcony," Jake grinned throwing his thumb over his shoulder. I looked up at the balcony overhead.
"Don't get paint on my carpet," Oliver warned.
"You're okay with this?" I asked looking up at Oliver putting my hands on my hips.
Taylor laughed. "It's cool, Ever. I use to prank people back home all th
e time." Oliver leaned down to my ear. "Jake likes her. He'll take care of her. Just let them have their fun."
Sighing I nodded. "You better not get her in trouble mister," I pointed at Jake.
"Yes, Mom," he cheekily said grabbing Taylor's hand and taking off into the crowd. Oliver wrapped his arm back around my waist and ushered me forward. Blushing I was highly aware of how warm his hand was on my hip. The warehouse was packed with people. Everyone we passed congratulated Oliver for getting out of jail and to me getting out of the hospital.
Many people were telling me how happy they were and hoping I would get my memory back. It seemed everyone knew about how awkward things seemed to be between Oliver and I. Even though we had barely spoken a few words to each other I knew he wanted to talk but he seemed to be giving me space. I liked that. He wasn't being pushy about me remembering like everyone else was.
I leaned into Oliver, even though I didn't remember him and things were awkward I enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms. We headed straight to the bar. Tyler was there along with Jet.
"Hey there!" Jet grinned.
"Hey, where's Kimmy?" I asked. I knew the answer before Jet spoke.
"Off with Alex somewhere. I don't even want to know what those two are doing."
Jet scrunched up his face as did Tyler. I had yet to really talk with Alex. I didn't know much about him other than Kimmy was madly in love with him. Which that was a huge shocker in its self. Kimmy hadn't always been a one-man kind of girl. Now she wasn't a slut. She didn't give it to just anyone but she wasn't exactly innocent either. So her being with one guy for a long time was a shocker. Especially since she spent every moment with either him or talking about him.
"Jet, I want to get drunk. Can you help me out?" I asked honestly. Oliver leaned into me and laughed into my hair. He always liked smelling me for some reason. Even though it was weird, it was somewhat cute. At least I smelt good to him.
Jet grabbed a bottle under the counter and poured me five shots.
"Drink those to start out with and we'll go from there."
"Really? All five?" I asked wide-eyed.
