A Little Piece Of Heaven

Chapter Nineteen:

I tried to get up quietly, so I didn’t wake Jace. He hasn’t said anything, but I know that he’s been stressed. He won’t vent to me, right now, but I know that I’m the one that’s stressing him out. I hate that I put this burden on him, but in a way, it makes things easier. It’s a lot less hiding and I think it’s made us closer.

I knew that I could trust him, but now I realize just how much. He’s been by my side through everything. I’m not sure if I could ever even begin to make it up to him, or Gwen, but I’m gonna try.

I crept downstairs, slowly… That’s an understatement. Think snail-pace, but slower. It feels like everything I do pains me in some way or another. Oh well. Once I made it to the kitchen, I pulled out the eggs. I got out everything I’d need to make them breakfast. If I’m quiet enough, I might actually be able to pull this off.

I had the eggs scrambled and the bacon cooking in the oven, before anyone came downstairs. I was halfway through buttering toast when Gwen swooped down and kissed my cheek.

“Angela, you didn’t have to do this.”


“I wanted to.” I told her. She smiled.

“Do you need any help?” She asked. I shook my head.

“Just sit down. It’s almost ready. I might need you to wake up Jace, though.” I told her. I really don’t want to go up the stairs again, so soon.

I grabbed the orange juice out of the fridge and put it on the table. I started the coffee and set the table. I started pouring juice and ladling food onto the plates. I grabbed some apples and started cutting them up before Gwen and Jace were sitting at the table. I was getting the ‘you-know-you’re-supposed-to-be-taking-it-easy-and-not-doing-things-like-this-right-now-because-you’re-supposed-to-be-resting’ look. I put the bowl of apples on the table and sat down.

“It looks good.” Jace grumbled. He’s such a girl, sometimes. He’ll be over it soon enough.

“Thank you.” I smiled. We ate in a comfortable silence. My phone started buzzing in my pocket. I pulled it out – it’s Eric. I frowned, but picked up. “Hello?”

“Hey Angel, are you all up?” He asked me.

“Yeah, we’re up – why?” I asked.

“I have a meeting tomorrow morning with some very important people, so I need to head out, tonight. I wanted to say goodbye.” He told me.

“Only if it’s quick.” I told him. “You weren’t the best guest last time.” I reminded him. He chuckled.

“Alright. I’ll be gone for two weeks.” He told me.

“Okay. I’ll see you when you get here.” I hung up. “He’s coming over to say goodbye.” I told them. Jace nodded.

“At least he’s leaving.” He mused.

“Yeah, but it’ll only be for two weeks.” I sighed. “I’ll take what I can get. It’s better than nothing.”

-.-

I let Gwen answer the door. Eric was respectful this time. He had his game face on. He turned on his charm that I know won’t work on her. He pretty much ruined his chances for that last time.

“How are you feeling?” He asked me. I shrugged.

“The same as before, only with a cast.” I held up the arm with the fractured wrist. He frowned.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“If you say so.”

“I mean it, Angel.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Eric.” I told him. His eyes sparkled. They normally do when we argue. It’s almost like he thrives for it. But, I’m not going to be complacent, just because he scares me. I wouldn’t think much of myself if I did.

“Do you want me to bring you anything back?” He asked.

“I’m okay.” I told him. “I don’t want anything.” What he brought back last time was bad enough.

“Alright, take care of yourself. Maybe… if I get to know the boy you’re so set on seeing, we can come to some kind of an agreement.” He finally said. Wait, what?

“Somehow, that sounds worse than not being able to see him at all.” I told him. He smirked.

“Perhaps, but I know that you’ll find some way to see him, anyway. At least this way, it’ll be on my standards.” He told me.

“It won’t be for that much longer.” I reminded him. By the time he gets back, I’ll have just under than five months left of being under his care. I plan on seeing Jared at least one more time while he’s away.

“We’ll see about that, won’t we? Maybe I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.” He told me, getting ready to leave.

“Not likely.” I promised.

“I’ll see you in two weeks.” He gave me a soft hug and looked at my lips. I know he wants to try and make a move, but he doesn’t want to do so in front of company. And, I’m not going anywhere with him where we can be alone.

“Bye.” I pulled away from him and he left. I decided now would be as good of time as any to call Matt. It’s Saturday, so I don’t have to worry about calling him in class. “Hey, what are you doing?” I asked him.

“Just woke up, what about you?” He asked. Things are a little weird, right now. It’s like we’ve both been tip-toeing around each other. Hopefully our conversation today will change that.

“I just ate breakfast and saw Eric off.” I told him.

“Oh,” he said.

“Do you want to come over to Jace’s and we can talk?” I asked him. I’m going to have to change and cover up what I can. I don’t want to blast him full-force with my sob story about growing up in a broken home.

“That might be best. I have plans with Brian tonight. He wanted to do something all together.” He told me.

“Okay. I don’t think Gwen will mind having company over. I can’t guarantee I’ll be the life of the party, I’m on some heavy-duty meds.” I told him.

“That’s fine. One of the other guys from the band might tag along. I’ve gotta shower, but I’ll head over after.” He told me, hanging up. I sighed. Well, this is going to be fun.

Gwen helped me shower and keep my cast dry. She fixed my hair, so I didn’t look like some kind of rabid dog. I put on a pair on panties and a sports bra. I did my best to cover up some of the bruises on my arm and on my stomach. I covered up the bruise on my neck from when he was choking me. I covered a little bit of my black eye, but he’s already seen it, so there isn’t much point in me trying to hide that.

I want to tell him the truth, but I don’t want to scare him away. I don’t know if there is a magical balance that I can find and just tell him the basics, or not. I’m going to play it by ear and see what happens.

I put on some leggings and a long-sleeved sweater. Jace helped me downstairs. I sat on the patio and waited for him to get there. Gwen gave me a small dose of my pain meds. I need to be somewhat clear-headed while I talk to him, but all the moving around is getting to me. I stretched out on the hammock and took a little nap, while I waited.

-.-

“Angela, wake up.” Matt whispered. I opened my eyes and looked around me. My eyes landed on his face.

“Sorry,” I apologized. I didn’t mean to sleep for that long.

“It’s fine.” He told me. He pulled a wicker chair next to the hammock and sat so he could face me. “Are you going to tell me what happened to you?” He asked.

“What do you think happened to me?” I asked, instead of answering him.

“Honestly, the over-protectiveness, the hostility towards guys, it seems like… Eric isn’t as nice as he wants everyone else to believe.” Matt leveled with me. I nodded.

“He’s not.” I agreed. “It’s not your fault, he’s just… He’s been like this since my mom died.” I told him. He frowned.

“So, he is the one who did this to you?” He asked, pointing at my face. I looked away from him, but nodded.

“Yes.”

“Angela, that’s not right. He doesn’t have the right to put his hands on you.”

“He’s my guardian. Okay? Jared waved his rights a long time ago. I’ve gotten through it this long. I’m almost an adult. I can leave when I’m eighteen. He’ll have no legal claim to me. I have my own money. My mom got a lot from Jared and she left it all to me. I can’t touch it until I’m eighteen. And, that’s not even counting the money that Eric’s given me, that I’ve saved, or the money that I’ve gotten from Jared. I’ve worked before, and I’ve never spent any of it. I’ll be able to take care of myself.” I told him.

“That sounds good now, but what if he takes things too far?” He asked. I shrugged.

“What’s too far?” I asked him. I feel like all I do is have this same conversation with anyone who finds out about this.

“What if he does more than just hurt you next time? What if he kills you? Or decides to…” He broke off. I don’t want to tell him everything. I really don’t. And now, that crunch-time is here, I don’t think I can.

“He won’t kill me. If I die, he can’t control me anymore.” I told him. I held onto the hammock and started to lower myself off of it. Matt grabbed my back to steady me. I cried out and softened his grip. Once I was down, he looked at me.

“If we’re going to do this, you have to be honest with me.” He told me. “How bad is it?” He asked me. Tears started clouding my vision.

“I’m not ready for you to know that, yet.” I told him. “I don’t want you to look at me differently.” I told him. I walked inside and got some water. Gwen came over to us.

“Are you hurting?” She asked me. I nodded.

“I can’t.” I told her.

“Tell him what you can, baby. You can work up to the rest. And if you need help talking to him, I’m here. I’m always here for you.” She told me. She gave me a muscle relaxer and some other pain pill. I took them and sat in an armchair. Gwen pulled Matt to the side. “She’s trying to tell you what she can, but you’ve got to be patient with her.” She told him. He nodded. “She needs someone to be good to her. If you can’t do that, you need to decide now, because I don’t want her to get hurt.” She told him.

“I would never hurt her.” He told her. “It’s just hard to see someone else going through what my mom went through.” He told her. “Can you tell me anything?” He asked.

“Only if she asks me to. I’m going to give you two some privacy.” She told him. He sat on the couch next to me.

“I’m ready to listen. I won’t push anything.”

“I went to the doctor yesterday. I have three cracked ribs, a fractured wrist, and a lot of bruises.” I told him. He looks like I just kicked his dog. “I have welts on my back and legs and it hurts me to walk.” I told him.

“When?” He asked.

“The first day I didn’t go to school. He didn’t want to share me.” I told him.

“Is he okay with you being friends with Atwood?” He asked. I nodded.

“He always has been, I’m not really sure why, though. He probably realizes we’re just friends.”

“Has he done more than that?” He asked me.

“Yes.” I was crying, now. I can feel it. My body is starting to feel numb. The meds are kicking in, fast.

“He…” he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“He’s forced himself on me, before.” I told him, finally looking him in the eyes. He looks shattered. He’s not fleeing, that’s a good sign.

“But you said… You said you were a virgin.” He whispered.

“I told you that I’ve never made love, which is true. …Rape isn’t love.” I whispered. He was quiet for a long time, before he came over and held my hand.

“I’m not going to think less of you because of something he did to you.” He told me.

“Okay. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” I told him. I feel exhausted, emotionally drained. He kissed me, gently.

“You don’t have to.”

Notes

Alright, I'm out, all. I'm getting ready to pack up my laptop and head to the airport. SO, have a bangin' week everyone!! :D Xo