Tangled Dreams (13 page)

“Shh, babe, it’s alright. Its over. I’m here now and I’ll never let anything happen to you.”

We had been sitting here on the side of the road for ten minutes now and it took at least that long for me to stop shaking. I was so angry and scared what would have happened if I hadn’t gotten there in time. Not to mention what could have happened if she hadn’t of gotten away from him the first time to call.

“Gavin, thank you. I was so scared.” I said crying.

“It’s alright. I’m here now.” Stroking my wet hair back out of my face.

“I’m so sorry I lied to you Gavin. I should have told you where I was going.”

“Yeah, you should have.” He said angrily. “Because if you had of, I wouldn’t of let you go in the first place.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” Shaking I started sobbing harder.

“I don’t want lies between us Maddie. Promise me this won’t happen again.”

“I promise.” Leaning over me he grabbed his jacket and laid it on top of my shaking body kissing me on top of my head.

“Are you cold babe?”

“Yes, and still scared.”

“I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry about it.”

“When you say it. I actually believe it.” Snuggling closer to him I just wanted to close my eyes and die. “Your parents are going to kill me.”

“Well, right now they’re not home. I’ll get you in and take care of you before they get home.

“I don’t know what I would do without you Gavin. I’m sorry to put you through so much. You must hate me”

“I don’t hate you babe. Just the opposite.” He quietly sliding back over to the drivers seat. “We’ll get you cleaned up and in bed before mom and dad gets home. I’ll just tell them you had a bad headache and went to bed early.”

“Thank you Gavin.” I said trying to calm down.

“Don’t thank me yet. Your going to tell me what happened today after we get you settled.” I could still see the anger in his eyes and thought it best not to argue.

He didn’t know what he was most angry about. What happened to her. Or being lied to. Even now with her curled up in his seat she looked beautiful especially in that bikini. How dare anyone touch her! He thought absolutely livid. Eric was damn lucky that Maddie passed out because, he wasn’t nearly done beating the shit out of him. No matter how angry he was though, he wasn’t about to let Maddie lay there passed out cold just to beat the shit out of that asshole. Especially, the woman he loved. Any doubts he had dwindled away when the fear hit him that she was hurt and in trouble. The realization that he really does love her with all of his heart was scaring him to death. The fear that he couldn’t protect her twenty four hours a day hit him like a sledge hammer and pissed him off in the worst sort of way. Curling up as tight as I could in the seat I laid my head in his lap as he drove home and I closed my eyes. I could feel him run his hands through my hair and it felt comforting. The relief of being with Gavin washing over me.

Pulling up to the house he flicked the key off and closed his eyes taking a deep breath trying to get his anger harnessed. Slipping out of the truck he grabbed me and pulled me out of the drivers side seat into his arms. I didn’t even have it in me to argue with him about carrying me. Not that he would listen anyways. Carrying me inside he went up to the second floor bathroom setting me down on a stool.

Taking the coat from around her he realized she was still clutching her clothes tight and he struggled with the tears burning in his eyes.

“Babe, you can let them go now. Prying them out of her hands.”

“Oh, sorry.” I said looking down with tears in my eyes still visibly shaken. Getting up he turned on the shower, turning it as hot as it would go, and helped me up and into it, and closed the curtain.

“Please don’t leave me.” I said panicked grabbing his arm. “I won’t babe. I’ll stay right here.” Sitting down on the toilet to wait for me I stripped off my bikini and laid it over the side of the tub. Taking them he wound them up in a towel and threw them in the hamper. He’d just tell mom they were having swim class in P.E. or something. Laying his head in his hands he tried to rub away the headache that was starting right behind his eyes.

 The hot water beating against my body felt heavenly. Looking down at myself taking the inventory, my wrists were red and bruised and very sore. My chest was also really red where his fingers dug in too hard. Looking down at my legs they were really scratched up from his fingernails digging into me. All in all bruised and upset but, alive and still able to save myself for the right guy. It could have been a hell of a lot worse I thought to myself as fear trickled down my spine. Shutting off the water, I grabbed the towel so tired and numb that I felt like I could burst out in tears again at any moment. I barely felt Gavin picking me up and taking me to my room. Sitting me down on my bed he caught sight of my wrists and I could see the anger welling up in his eyes again.

Grabbing my hands, “Damn it. Are you all right?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’m just sore and tired.”

“How bad did he hurt you? Did he rape you?” Asking with anger and hurt in his eyes. Confused, he thought she said he tried to rape her but, her bruised body took on a different story.

“No, it was close. I managed to get away though.” Not wanting to get into details.

“Did he touch you? Um where he shouldn’t of been?” Not knowing of any other way to ask.

“Yes.” I said holding back the sobs as I remembered. “It was so horrible his hands and his mouth was all over me.” I said laying my head in my hands to ashamed to look up at him.

“I’ll kill the bastard.” Gavin said as his eyes glazed over in anger. Starting to cry again he looked down at her and seen the red scratch marks on the inside of her thighs and realized just how hard she was trying to fight him off and it was breaking his heart not being there for her.

“Get under the covers Madison. Your shaking.” The anger washing over him making him so angry that he could hardly form words. Seeing now that the top of her chest was bruised to. “I’m going to find the asshole.” Turning in anger and heading for the door.

 “Gavin, please don’t leave me.” I said with tears in my eyes. “I really don‘t want to be alone.”

“You’ll be fine here. No one will hurt you.” He said heading toward the door again.

“Gavin!! Please.” I said sobbing harder.

Turning around he couldn’t stand seeing her lying in bed so tiny and crying and hurt. Coming to me he kicked off his shoes and stripped his shirt off and got under the covers with me wrapping me up into his arms.

“Thank you for not leaving me.”

“Sh, I’ll always be here for you. I hate seeing you so hurt. Just where the hell was Clay anyways?”

“I don’t know. He got drunk and went inside the house and never came back out.”

“Asshole probably passed out. I know I told you I would stay out of it, but you don’t need to be around any of them anymore.”

Knowing it wasn’t Clays fault. I was still a little mad at him. I knew he shouldn’t of ever gotten drunk and left me with Eric in the first place. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive him I thought sadly to myself. Not even really caring right now being wrapped up in Gavin’s arms was enough.

“If Eric so much as looks at you ever again. I swear I’ll finish that ass kickin I started today.”

“I don’t want to go back to school Monday. I don’t know if I can face him.”

“Don’t worry about him. He’ll stay away from you. I promise you that. He’ll never touch you ever again.”

Tucking my head under his chin I could hear is heart beating in his chest. I wanted to believe him with all of my heart. Even if he was right, it still didn’t take the fear out of my heart. Closing my eyes I was so tired but, scared to go to sleep at the same time. Hearing the down stairs door open I heard Kayla and Kylie running up the stairs and into their room and knew Aunt Julia and Uncle William were home.

“I’ll go tell mom that your sick with a headache and went to bed, so you can be left alone for a while.” Looking at the clock it was a little past seven and they would likely believe it. Getting up he started walking towards the door to leave.

“Gavin, are you coming back?”

“Do you want me to?” Asking with a look of concern on his face.

“I know you probably have plans tonight, but can you for a little while? I’m still afraid to be alone. I know it sounds stupid.”

“I’ll be right back babe.” Smiling reassuringly and turning to leave.

He did in fact have plans. He had a date at eight o’clock. His heart wasn’t really into it in the first place but, found it necessary to move on. Walking to the phone in the dining room he called her quickly to cancel. Of course, she was mad but, he hardly cared. She’d be at school Monday and most likely hanging all over him and completely over it anyways. There was no way in hell he was going to leave Madison tonight anyways. Even if she did want to be alone he was going to stay home and close to make sure she was alright. Walking into the living room he fed the story to his mom and dad without any real problems. Mom wanted to go check on her but, he quickly side stepped and told them she had a migraine and any noise hurt her head, and that she just wanted to sleep. Dad didn’t really give a shit just as long as she had gotten her house chores done for the day. Which she did before she even went out on her date. Walking back upstairs he went into his bedroom so no one would be suspicious, turned on the television and locked the door and quickly went into Madison’s room. She had fallen asleep in his absence and she didn’t look any more at peace in her sleep either. Walking over to her bedroom door he locked it to cover all there tracks. The last thing he needed was to be caught in her bed with her. Standing at her bed he couldn’t help but to stand and watch her.

“Gavin? Are you getting in?”

“Oh, yeah. I thought you were asleep. I didn’t want to bother you.”

“You know that’s not possible. Please get in.” I said pulling back the covers for him. “I need you close to me for a while.” Getting in he pulled me close wrapping his arms around me.

“When your not here, it’s feels like his hands are still all over me. I don’t think there is enough soap in the world to make me feel clean ever again.”

“You don’t know how strong you are Maddie. You never gave up, and you got away If nothing else you should feel proud of that.”

“When did you start looking at the glass half full?” I said attempting to lighten the mood but, failing miserably. Giving me a kiss on the head.

“When you came into my life.”

What do you say to something like that? The one thing that I did know was that being in his arms felt like the safest place on earth. I know I’m being selfish I thought miserably to myself. This is not fair to Gavin to be here with me right now when I told him he needed to move on. Now I’m begging him to stay with me. I know it must really suck for him having to bail me out every time I have a problem or do something stupid. He is always here with no complaints and with an immense amount of caring and kindness. I must be a complete fucking idiot for letting him go. I’m always so damn worried about other people that I forget to worry about what I need. Unfortunately, I do need a roof over my head and if Uncle William found out, I wouldn’t have that for long. Either one of us most likely. I know he would gladly get kicked out on my account. I however, refuse to ruin his future plans about going to college. Refusing to be selfish just because I love him and I want him all to myself.

“Have you decided what you are going to do yet?”

“Yeah.”

“And that is?”

“I’m not going to tell anyone. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t either. Either way it is my word against his.”

“Madison. He forced himself on you, and damn near…. I can’t even say it out loud without wanting to punch something.”

“Believe me I know the feeling.” I loved him so much for caring so much about me and I could feel how tense his body was up against mine like any minute he was going to jump up running. “No one would believe me. He is rich and popular, and I am a nobody.”

Between clenched teeth, “You are not nobody.”

“Just relax Gavin.” I said running my fingers down his right arm laying my head on his chest. I hated seeing him like this and I hated being the one putting him through it. It was my own stupidity that got me into this situation and now the person I care most about is paying for it.

“You don’t need to worry about me babe.”

“Yeah, but your so tense.” Taking my hand I gently ran my fingers down his eyes closing them softly continuing to run down his neck to his chest where I lightly massaged his tight muscles. I could feel the tension melting out of his body and his muscles starting to relax. Opening his eyes and looking into mine

“You know your amazing. You’re the one who went through something so horrific not long after your father passing, and now your trying to console me.”

“I don’t want you to worry about me so much. You don’t deserve that.”

“Madison, I’m glad you came into my life and I’m glad you’re here. Don’t ever doubt that for a second.”

“Promise me you won’t tell anyone what happened tonight?”

“Madison.” He said sighing.

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

“I just don’t need this right now. It’s just to much.” I said half sobbing.

Squeezing me tightly against him, “Alright, It’s your decision to make. However, I’m taking care of Eric and if you have any more problems with him you have to tell me. So a promise for a promise?”

“Alright, deal!”

“Remember any problems you tell me, just so we are clear?” Staring into my eyes.

“Crystal Clear. I really am sorry for ruining your night. I know you probably had plans.”

“No worries.” Shrugging it off. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep. Tomorrow is Sunday so you can sleep in and get yourself pulled together for school Monday.”

“Can I tell you something that scares me?”

“Of course.” Looking down at me concerned. “I don’t know if I can. Every time I try to close my eyes I see his face and feel his hands on me and it feels like I traded one nightmare for another. I’m afraid I’ll never get another peaceful night’s sleep again. It’s been so long since I’ve slept through a night without any nightmares and now this. I feel totally beaten down. I just want to give up sometimes. Is it selfish to wonder what I did that was so bad for this sort of punishment?”

“Babe, that’s not selfish. You’ve been handed raw deal after raw deal. In my opinion it’s a miracle that your kindness and good heart hasn’t been destroyed by all the things you have had to deal with. Yeah, your going to have battle wounds but it will just make you stronger. I guess what they say is right about what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. ”

“I don’t feel very strong, I feel like my heart is completely shattered.”

Picking up his hand he pressed it to my chest where my heart laid. “No, it’s still there and still in one piece.”

Smiling I tilted my head up and gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek. “I’m really not very tired but, can you stay with me until I fall asleep? I really don’t want to be alone.”

“I’ll stay with you as long as you want me to.” It hadn’t even been ten minutes and she had already fallen asleep in my arms. Once in a while she would mumble something incoherently like she was in distress and I’d just pull her in tighter and sooth her the best I could. Deciding not to leave her I stripped down to my boxers and got comfortable beside her for the night finally falling asleep myself.

The next morning he woke up to the most beautiful sight he has ever beheld and wished he could wake up every morning next to her. Staring at her sleeping he wondered if she could ever not look completely stunning. It was amazing how gorgeous she is all the time. Her hair was all tangled around her face and she was still amazing. Forcing himself up he decided to go downstairs for something to eat and to see if mom and dad were home or if they went on one of there frequent Sunday shopping trips. Looking out the kitchen window the family car was missing and relief swept over him. Lost in his thoughts he didn’t hear Madison walk in to the kitchen behind him.

 “Good morning Gavin.”

“Oh, sorry did I wake you up?”

“No, I turned over and realized you were gone and didn’t want to stay in bed alone.”

“Sit down and I’ll get us some cereal or something.” Watching him walk over to the cupboard and get the cereal and bowls out I could tell he was still troubled and I was worried he was mad at me. He just looked mad and I didn’t like seeing him this way.

“Are you angry at me Gavin?” Sitting down at the table across from me he sat silently for a couple of seconds.

“No, Maddie. I’m not angry at you. I’m just angry at that scum bag and at Clay.”

“Clay didn’t know that was going to happen.” I said looking down still ashamed.

“Don’t defend him. You know if you were with me I would never let anything like that happen to you.” Saying with renewed anger in his voice.