This Broken Beautiful Thing (14 page)

I rest my head on my arms over the cold counter
.

“Decided to join us?” Hunter says in his deep voice.

“Mmmhmm…”I mumble enjoying the coldness of the counter on my warm cheek.

“You okay P
rincess?” he asks sounding more concerned.

“Yeah…just a little dizzy,
haven’t eating much today. I just need to get my medicine and I’ll be hundreds.” I stand up and look at his concerned face.

“You want me to get you something
to eat?” he asks seriously.

“No thanks Hunter, I can do it. Thanks though.” I say and rub his arm as I walk passed him weakly.

Making my way back to my room to get my medicine, I lean against the wall in the hallway as spots blur my vision. The door to one of the spare rooms is a little open and it’s a foot from where I’m standing, but I can see everything that’s happening.

I see the body of a man sitting on the corner of the
bed, his pants down to his ankles, I can’t see his face yet but I hear his grunting and the girls fake moaning. I watch as the girl between his legs bobs her head up and down in a rhythm. I see her face clearly now as she moves away and uses her hands before placing her mouth back on him and it’s the girl I defended last night, Rachelle. I stand there frozen as Jace’s face comes into view. He pushes the girls head down harder onto his manhood. I can’t stand there any longer as I run the rest of the way into the bathroom. It’s as if the entire Caleb situation is on re-run but this time I see it with my own eyes, I witnessed it. I was so stupid to think Jace was any better. I don’t have the energy for any of this.

I’m disgusted in Jace and I’m regretting ever standing up for that girl or letting Jace ever touch me, I know
we don’t have a relationship but the way he explained to me that I was his, I thought the feeling was mutual. I guess I am his but he isn’t mine and never will be. By the way he touched me and kissed me this morning I really thought he cared about me. “I’m so stupid. So stupid.” I say out loud.

I continue to throw up even as I
hear the door open and close behind me. Tears that shouldn’t be there are rolling down my cheeks and I want to tell whoever is behind me to go away but I can’t speak.

“
Here’s some water babe, I’ll go find Jace for you.” Hunter says placing a glass of water next to me on the counter.

“No! Don’t!
” I stutter through coughs. “I don’t want him near me.” I hear him as he lets out a huff.

“He cares a lot for you Harley, I know it doesn’t seem like it but that’s just how we are. He cares about
you, he just doesn’t know how to show you, I know he does though.” He says in a softer more soothing tone as he bends down next to me and leans against the door.

“
Getting the girl that I defended last night to suck him off shows that he cares about me? Well Damn…if-” I start to say sarcastically.

“What?” Hunter
interrupts me in disbelief. I throw up again and curse because this is so damn embarrassing. He continues to sit there calmly while my head is facing the toilet bowl. He doesn’t seem fazed at the fact that I’m throwing up, he doesn’t even seem disgusted.

I finally get a break to breath and I quickly get the words out before I’m hunched over the toilet again.
“Yeah…tell him next time he should shut the fucking door.”

“
I’m going to fucking kill him!” Hunter roars and steps up, ready to leave. I panic and quickly grab his pants above his knee, I can’t see anything as I’m facing the toilet but I watch out of the corner of my eye, where my hand is holding onto his jeans.

“No….
don‘t go…Please.” I say through coughs, there’s nothing left in me to come out.

He tenses but I don’t let go, his body relaxes and he leans into me. I
flush the toilet and move my body from the toilet now panting, fully exhausted. He picks out a clean cloth from the cabinet and wets it then pulls me into his body as I’m sitting between his legs on the floor with my head and back against his chest. Slowly but soothingly he wipes my face clean.

“I’m sorry
Princess.” He says quietly.

I let out a deep breath my whole body is weak and exhausted from getting sick but I find the words I need to say.

“Don’t be sorry Hunter, you’re sitting here helping me. I guess I can’t even be mad at Jace for whatever’s he’s doing now.” I say sadly thinking that they’re probably hooking up by now.

“We aren’t dating or
anything, Jace only feels protective over me because of the accident and that. It’s cool, I’m good. I think it’s best if I just keep my distance from him for a while.” I say more trying to convince myself than him.

I move my body from his and wash my face
and brush my teeth. I’m still a bit shaky but I need to get out of here.

“Thanks for everything Hunter, I know you don’t think I belong here and I promise you if I had somewhere else to go I would…I just don’t.” I say avoiding his eyes.

“Princess, I said that because you are too good to be around people like us.” He chuckles, “But after the show you put on last night, I think you belong here just fine.” He laughs again remembering the events of last night.

“You
did good last night. Proud of you, you have balls hitting a dude as big as Tom Cat.” he chuckles again. “Don’t let anyone change that Princess, not even Jace.”

He pulls me in for a quick hug and gives me a quick squeeze before releasing me. I smile at him and make our way out the bathroom.

I walk to my room and slip on a pair of socks quickly.

“Where
are you going?” Hunter says leaning on my door frame.

“Nowhere, my…err…feet are cold. I think
I’m going to sleep, I’m too tired and don’t feel well.” I say sitting on the bed.

“Yeah how are you feeling? You were pretty sick back there, if you don’t feel better in the morning you
should go to the doctor. I can take you if you like?” he asks genuinely.

“Thanks Hunter, I’ll let you know.” I say putting on my bedside light and opening my bed, trying to get him to leave.

“Night Princess… and… sorry about Jace.” He says sadly as he switches the overhead light off and leaves my room.

I almost flinch at the mention of Jace’s name but recover when I remember what he is most likely doing with Rachel
le. I quickly put my shoes on and grab my hand bag and cell phone.

I hear loud noises outside the room and then
suddenly the music stops and everything can be heard perfectly.

“So nice of you to join us
Raven
.” Hunter almost growls.

“Fuck off Hunt…” Jace
yells back.

“Next time you busy with a
whore, make sure you close the fucking door.” Hunter says louder.

“
What’s it to you brother if people see who’s sucking me? Huh?” Jace says back with his smug attitude.

“Well when it comes to Harley
, I guess
now
it becomes my problem. Girl was so sick she couldn’t even walk straight, saw you with that bitches face in your lap working you, got her even sicker, I spent the last twenty minutes with her face over the toilet. So now I say, shut the fucking door next time Raven.” Hunter roars.

“Fuck.
” I hear bustling and movement. “Where is she? Is she okay? Let me get to her.”

I don’t wait to hear the rest because
I’m already making my way out the window looking to see if the fire escape still reaches the ground safely and if the ladder works. Thank goodness it works perfectly, I make my way down quickly ignoring the loud smashing and banging noises coming from upstairs. The ladder stopped a few feet above the ground but I land on my feet just fine.

I’m in the alley behind the bar leading to dads mechanic shop. I quickly run past and place the hoody over my
head so the bikers that are standing on the street don’t notice me. I know there’s a Diner on the next street and I need something to eat, I’m starving.

As soon as
I’m in front of the Diner I pull back the hood of my jacket and walk in. I order food and sit in the corner away from any windows. The phone Anna bought me starts vibrating; Jace’s name pops up on the screen. It rings a couple more times. It rings again and I watch as my dad’s name comes up on my screen. I sigh knowing I have to answer him, I don’t want him worrying about me.

“Hello?”

“Harley! Thank God! Where are you? Are you okay?” he asks worriedly.

“Daddy I’m fine,
just getting something to eat, the apartment is full and I…just needed to get out.” I stutter, I hate lying to my father but I suppose the story is partly true.

There’s silence on the other side of the line and I can hear his
deep breathing. When he speaks it’s in a softer tone, “I’m sorry about last night baby girl, I didn’t mean to get angry with you and I never want you to feel that you can’t come home. I know the club is not…err….perfect for you but me and Ann need you with us. We’ve been without you for too long and we want you safe…with us.”

I feel a tear slip down my cheek and watch as it hits the table
, I wipe it away with the sleeve of my jacket, “It’s okay daddy we’ll talk about it when you guys are home, I have to go, foods here. Please drive safely tomorrow. Love you guys.”

“Okay my girl, send me a message when you are home safe okay? Love you Harley.” He says as he ends the call.

An older lady brings over my food and I quickly wipe away any remaining tears, my face is probably all puffy and red but I’m too exhausted to worry about that .She lingers by the table looking sadly at me as she places my plate in front of me then she gives me a small smile and pats my back, I give her a reassuring smile and that seems to make her happy as she strolls away.

I relax and eat the cheeseburger I ordered,
I’m starving and I know it won’t stay down for long but I need to eat something. I try to keep thoughts of Jace out of my head, trying to think of anything other than him is hard. I think about my mom back home and how she’s doing. Even though she was hardly around when I was there, now that I’m not with her I really do miss her.

CHAPTER 13

I hear the bell of the door go off and I h
ear a bunch of rowdy guys come in laughing and joking. I try to scoff down as much food as I can quickly so I can get out of here, I don’t look up to see who they are and it’s unlikely I know any of them but I’d rather be alone than in this noisy Diner.

I keep my eyes on my food and ignore the noise as it
comes closer toward where I’m sitting in the back corner.

“Harley? Is that you?” I hear a familiar voice. I freeze hoping if I ignore them they will get the picture and leave.

I hear their footsteps as they walk toward me then I see their shoes in my line of vision. I slowly raise my eyes and look at them.

I don’t get a chance to respond as I’m being lifted into large warm arms, I squeal as he pulls me from my chair making it scrape against the floor.

“Oh my God, I was so worried about you.” He lets out a deep breathe, “I tried calling a couple of times but you didn’t answer?” Brent says as he finally puts me down and looks at me almost inspecting me.

“Brent…
my phone broke in the crash. Dad transferred my number though to my new phone but I hardly answer anyone’s calls these days. What are you doing here already? Doesn’t your semester start in a couple weeks?” I sit back down and he sits opposite me taking a fry off my plate and eating it, I shake my head and smile. Typical Brent…

“I came up early to stay with my cousins, wanted to check things out and all. The best parties are before college starts.” He winks at me, then his expression falters, “Wait, what do you mean
your semester
?” he raises his eyebrow.

“I pulled
out of full time, decided to study through correspondence. No big deal.” I say taking a sip of my Coke.

“Yeah Harley it
is
a big deal, you won’t get to enjoy everything the College has to offer , you’re going to miss out on so much.” He says sadly.

“
Brent things have changed, now I have more responsibilities and I have to do things on my own, before, when I was with…him…things were easier but now that I’m not, this…this is the way it has to be. This is what’s best for me.” I try my best to give him a smile but it doesn’t quite reach my lips. I can’t eat anymore, apart from being full, I’ve lost my appetite. I push my plate away.

He looks at me genuinely,
and then places his large rough hand on top of mine, I tense and look up at him.

“Have you been crying?” he says softly.

“No.” I say pulling my hand away trying to avoid his gaze.

“
You are a terrible liar babe, how have you been? How are you doing?” he says in a caring tone.

“I’ve been better…but I’m getting there.
It’s funny how when you feel things are finally looking up for you and you think you can lose those crutches that’s been keeping you up, something gets in the way, trips you and you fall a few more steps back but yeah…I’m getting there.” I say out loud thinking more to myself than him.