Safe to love you (Ink Series - Spin Off Book 2) (20 page)

''I’m sure they’re doing everything they can. It won't be long before they come out to give you some news,'' Joshua says, trying to comfort me.

With nothing else to do, we head back to the waiting room together.

Shaking my head, I slump into one of the uncomfortable plastic seats. ''I’m sorry, guys. I'm a mess right now. This is not exactly how I’d planned to spend the night.''

''Don’t be sorry, Presley. None of this is your fault,'' Alicia replies, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

Joy-Anna and Derek arrive with a backpack for Abbie. The nurse arrives and asks to speak with me. I follow her anxiously. She opens the door to a cold, private office and ushers me inside.

''The doctor will be available to see you in about five minutes. Are you the only member of Ms. Abbie Rylee's family?''

''Yes...I am.''

I sit in another uncomfortable plastic chair and wait impatiently. My knees are still trembling. I can't remember being this stressed over anything before. I pray that they’ll allow me to see her as soon as I’ve finished talking with the doctor. I'm dying to make sure she’s okay.

The door opens and a woman comes in. ''Hi, I'm Doctor Tracey Adams.''

I stand up and hold out my hand. ''I'm Presley Williams, Abbie’s fiancé.''

''Okay. On the x-rays, we found a broken nose and a cracked eye-socket. She also has a broken rib and a mild concussion. She has multiple bruises all over her body. Abbie’s body was assaulted very badly. Right now, she isn’t in too much pain, but she will be aware of it tomorrow. She's very emotional right now. The nurses are giving her some medication to keep the pain reduced and help settle her. I’d like to keep Abbie overnight. We should be able to release her in the morning.

''Can I see her?'' I demand. If the doctor is wise, she better not tell me I can't.

''Certainly. Just remember she’s been through a lot. She might be sleeping, but you’re welcome to sit with her.”

I walk into her room and stop in the doorway, my breath catching in my throat. Her eyes are closed and their both black and blue. One of them is so swollen; I doubt she could open it even if she were awake. She's wearing a blue hospital gown and her hair is all over the place. She looks terrible, and it breaks my heart.

''Be careful with her. You can’t see it, but she has very bruised and cracked ribs,'' the nurse warns me as I step further into the room.

''Is she in pain?'' I ask, terrified.

''Right now, she is feeling absolutely no pain.'' The nurse gestures toward the IV. “This will relieve her discomfort, but it will make her very sleepy.”

I nod to the nurse and settle down in a chair beside the bed. I intend to stay by her side all night, regardless of whether the nursing staff like it or not.

The nurse slips out of the room and I slump against the side of the bed, watching Abbie anxiously. Only days ago, Erin and Dwayne were in exactly the same position. At least I know Abbie isn’t going to die, but the memories of sitting in the hospital room are still there, reinforcing hopelessness I’m feeling. While I'm lost in thought, Joy-Anna, Derek, Alicia and Joshua enter the room and they settle around the bed with me.

''Dad called. Kelly, Donna, and Nathan are in big trouble. They had a large amount of drugs on them. The police have the security video to prove what they’ve done tonight, and apparently, Donna was due to report to the courts last Monday on other charges. She failed to appear, so she’s screwed,'' Joshua informed me.

''Good.'' It’s all I can manage to say and I shake my head, watching Abbie. ''Look at her; I can’t believe Kelly is responsible for this. Abbie’s never done anything to her.'' I'm sick to my stomach at the thought of any human being doing this to another.

''We know, Presley.'' Alicia is standing next to me, and places her arm around my shoulder. ''She’ll be fine. You just need to give her time to recover.''

''I hope she’ll still want me,'' I cry, my anxieties overwhelming. “How can she forgive me for what my ex-girlfriend has done to her? I wouldn’t blame her if she dumped me and never looked back.”

''What? Are you serious? Abbie loves you.'' I know Joy-Anna is right but I’m tired and too anxious to feel any better about her words.

''I’ll stay with her tonight.” I announce.

''Of course,'' Joshua agrees. “Wouldn’t expect you to be anywhere else.”

They stay for few minutes, then decide to head home. Joy-Anna assures me they will call first thing in the morning to see how Abbie, is and come back in if she doesn’t get released right away.

Once they are gone, I close my eyes and try to rest for a while, gently holding onto Abbie’s hand. The next thing I’m aware of, Abbie is kicking her legs beneath the covers and crying hysterically. I think she’s having a nightmare.

''Abbie, you’re safe, my love. '' I squeeze her fingers, trying to get her to wake up.

''Mom....Dad...'' She cries out in a panic. I try to wake her up a second time, but she doesn't react to my voice at all. I push the emergency button, hoping the nursing staff will know what to do.

''Shhh, Abbie, you’re safe.''  I keep whispering the same words, over and over again.

''MOM… DON’T LEAVE ME, PLEASE!'' She yells in anguish and tries to get off the bed, pulling at the IV on her hand. ''DAD, PLEASE DON’T GO!'' She yells again, even louder. The IV rips from her hand and falls to the floor, and I notice her hospital gown is only covering half of her body now. I see all the bruising and it’s like a physical blow to my chest. They have to hurt like hell, and I don't want to risk touching her to calm her down.

The nurse comes in, and as soon as she sees Abbie, she calls for a doctor and orders a sedative. Two nurses manage to hold Abbie and get her back down onto the bed. She opens her eye and stares at me, scared and confused.

''Relax, my love. Shhh, relax. You’re safe now, Abbie.''

The nurses are still holding her, even though she’s no longer fighting them.

''Presley...'' Abbie cries. ''What’s happening to me?''

''You had a bad dream, love.''

''I’m so scared. Please get me out of here,” she begs, but I know I can’t. As much as I wish I could take her home, she has to stay. I know this is what she needs tonight.

I touch her arm to comfort her. ''I’ll keep you safe, Abbie.''

Abbie

I WANT TO
go home.
My home. I want the comfort of
my
bed.
My
things. It’s nothing against Presley, I just need to be in my own home. I hurt so much at the moment, and I feel as if being in my own place would make me better. We’re in Presley’s car, classical piano music playing on the stereo. He’s holding my hand and caressing it with his thumb. I look out the window and realize he’s driving towards his apartment instead of mine. When Presley said we were finally going to be able to go home, he instinctively thought we’d go to his place, but right now, all I want is my own apartment. I just spent the longest thirty-six hours ever at the hospital.

He stayed with me the whole time I was in the hospital, and I’ll be forever grateful, but right now, all I want is to relax and feel safe. I want to go back to my place, run a nice warm bath and unwind for a while. I hated being in the hospital, and I miss the comfort of being in my own bed. I know if we go to Presley’s apartment, I won’t get a moment of peace. Joy, Alicia, Joshua and Derek will undoubtedly be there to give me a big welcome home, and I just don’t have the energy to deal with it. Every little noise gives me the sensation someone's hitting me over the head with a hammer. As selfish as it sounds, I just want to go home. If I’m lucky, Cameron won’t even be there, and I can sleep in peace.

''Presley, can I go home to my place?''

His facial expression goes from happy to sad in a split second. ''I'm sorry, Bee, I thought we classified home as my place, now that Cameron's staying at your condo.''

''I know, but I need to go home, Presley. Please?'' I ask again, politely. I’m starting to feel anxious and my throat tightens, as if I'm about to cry. He doesn't say a word…he simply turns the car around and drives me to the condo. By the time we arrive, my head is pounding, and I’m suffering a little dizziness.

Presley helps me into my apartment, makes sure I'm comfortably settled in bed, and places my medication on the bedside table. At least Cam isn’t home. I know I’ll be able to rest quietly.

''Will you be alright for two to three hours?'' he asks. I know he must have work to do. Even if I wanted him to stay, I can’t ask him to. He’s already missed so much work, staying with me in the hospital.

''Yeah, I will. I'm not dying, Presley. I just have bruises–lots of them.'' I say, trying to add a little humor to the situation. From the expression on Presley’s face, he doesn't think it’s remotely funny.

''I need to go to my place for a while, to prepare for the next shoot,'' he says, kissing my forehead gently.

''I’ll be back as soon as I'm done.'' I can tell he’s not happy with the situation. He’s making it obvious that he thinks we should have gone to his place.

''Aren't you going to kiss me?'' I ask.

''I just did,'' he answers, lifting an eyebrow in question.

''Presley, I need more than a little kiss on my forehead. I need you.'' I emphasize the words, trying to make sure he understands.

His eyebrows raise even higher. ''Jesus, Abbie, have you looked at yourself? You have bruises all over, and you’ve got a broken rib. How do you expect me to enjoy touching you when you’re such a mess? If we make love, I’ll end up hurting you. You’re already in so much pain, I just can’t bear to make it worse. Please don’t ask me to.''

''You don’t want me?'' My heart stops in my chest as I stare up into his eyes. ''You don't find me attractive anymore? You think I’m a mess?'' I’m getting angry now. I’ve gone from exhausted, to aroused, to furious in just seconds. I know my emotions are all over the map and I feel so out of control. ''Just leave. Now.''

Presley runs his fingers through his hair in frustration, hurt blossoming in his eyes. ''Abbie, I desire you! I just don't want to hurt you.''

''Leave. Get out,'' I order angrily.

He stalks out of the room, his shoulders slumped. What’s the matter with me? I can’t believe I just kicked him out. I want to go after him…I want to ask him to stay. I fight back the tears that threaten to fall.

I hear noises coming from the front door. Cameron’s arrived home. I hear Presley talking to Cameron, but I can’t distinguish anything because they keep their voices low. All I recognize is the sound of Cameron putting his grocery bags on the kitchen table, before he walks into my room. When Cameron sees the damage Kelly did to my face, terror, pain, and sadness flash across his features. He sits at my feet and watches me worriedly. ''What the fuck, Abbie?''

I seek out Presley, who’s standing in the doorway; he obviously didn't tell Cameron the full extent of my injuries.

''I’ve been trying to call you. I don't know how many messages I left you. What happened to you?'' Cameron demands

Presley walks back into the room. Leaning in, he kisses me passionately, which annoys me because he’s probably just doing it to piss Cameron off.

“I’m going now, Abbie. Let me know if you need anything. I love you,” he says, closing the door behind him.

I can tell how badly I‘ve messed up by the way he walks out. He seems worn out…drained.

Cameron sits quietly, waiting patiently for an explanation.

''We went out the other night, and some bitches attacked me,'' I explain, shifting my weight on the mattress, trying to get comfortable.

''Why would they attack you?'' he asked.

''I happen to be engaged to such a good man, his old conquest can’t let go… I guess,'' I announce sullenly. I don’t want to talk about it and I still can’t get comfortable. No matter which way I move, it hurts. I can’t even lie in my own bed and it frustrates the heck out of me.

I get up and walk carefully out of the room, trying not to move too swiftly. Cameron follows me out, motioning for me to sit on the couch. He scoots to the far end, giving me room to lay my head on the arm of the couch, and then stares at me pointedly, waiting for a further explanation.

With a heavy sigh, I explain what happened. ''One of the girls who beat me up used to date Presley, and apparently she can’t get over him.''

His eyes traced across my swollen face. ''What’s the damage?''

''My whole body hurts. I have a constant headache, a broken rib, heaps of bruising, terrible mood swings, and to top it off, Presley doesn't want to touch me. I don't know what his problem is. It’s not like I’m going to break, I'm not
that
fragile,'' I huff out in frustration.

To my surprise, Cameron shakes his head and gives me a wry smile. ''Abbie, I don't think you’re seeing things very clearly right now. You’re the one person I'll always find attractive, but right now, you look like you’ve been hit by a train. You need to chill out, my friend, give yourself some time to heal. And give the guy a break. I’ve never seen him that fucked up. He‘s at his limit, Abbie.''

I drop my hands over my face with a moan. ''I know…I know. I don’t know what the matter with me is. Just when I need him the most, I end up pushing him away.''

I need to feel normal again. I want my life back so badly. Even after all that’s happened, I need to know we’re okay. I’ve been mean to him. Right now, after what happened with Kelly, I
need
him to want me. My head hurts, but I can‘t stop thinking about the incident or what I just said to Presley. I have all these questions but no answers. I need to rest and clear my mind.

I remember the dream I had that first night in the hospital. Both my mother and my father were there with me. They were holding hands…they seemed so happy. My dad was smiling. He wasn't the type of person who smiled a lot in real life. Mom and Dad told me over and over again that I was safe, and that I was going to be okay. I remember feeling my mother’s touch on my cheek. It felt light and warm. I remember my father’s embrace. He was a strong man, but in my dream he seemed so soft and comforting. They started to walk away, and I remember calling after them, but they wouldn’t come back. I woke up to a room full of nurses, and a very distressed Presley.

Cameron isn’t talking or asking me any more questions. He seems to know I'm going through everything in my mind. He doesn't even ask what I’m thinking. I close my eyes, willing my body to relax. Using the remote, Cameron turns on some music. He keeps the volume low, and starts humming through the lyrics. My eyelids grow heavy and the headache is letting up some. The music is helping and I drift off into sleep.

Presley wakes me up when he sits on the couch beside my feet. He doesn't say anything, but I can tell by the expression on his face, he’s deeply unhappy with what he sees. I know he hates seeing me in so much pain, and he’s told me more than once that he hates the fact that Kelly did this to me.

''Will you help me up?'' I ask him quietly. I want to sit upright, but I'm not strong enough to do it on my own. Presley gently picks me up. He sits back down on the couch, settling me on his lap.

''Are you okay? Are
we
okay, Abbie? I'm so confused here. I don’t know what you’re thinking, or what you’re feeling.'' Presley is frowning, worry evident in his voice.

''I'm—we're.'' I stumble over the words, my thoughts chaotic as I try to find a way to explain why I’m so confused and upset.

''Abbie don’t you want to be with me anymore? I can understand if you can’t forgive me, for what Kelly did.” He interlinks his fingers through mine, and the pain in his eyes is frightening. “Are you leaving me, Abbie? Are you moving back into your own place permanently? I need to know, I can’t stand this,” he chokes out.

I stare at him for a minute. I know I’ve been giving out mixed signals, but I’m not breaking up with him or thinking about a life without him. It’s the opposite. “Presley... I’m not leaving you. I’m sorry about the things I said earlier, I didn’t mean them. I want to be with you.”

He looked relieved. ''Yeah, I was worried. I had the apartment all ready for you. Lucia prepared meals… everyone was anxious to see you again. When you said you wanted to come here... well, I just thought...''

''I'm sorry. I just... I’ve been through a lot, and I felt terrible earlier. That’s why I asked you to drive me here. I knew everyone would want to look after me when we got back to your apartment but I needed time to relax before I saw everyone again.'' I cup his cheek with my hand. ''I’m sorry. It’s total chaos inside my head right now. I didn’t make my intentions clear and I hope you weren’t mad.''

Cameron gets up discreetly and walks toward the kitchen, giving Presley and me the space we need to talk things out.

''I was, I guess. And then you tried to say that I didn't want you. Abbie, you’re hurt. I can’t bear the thought of hurting you even more. I won't touch you, not until you’re healed.''

I smile coyly. ''We could take it slow and stop if it hurts.''

''Abbie, I don’t think this is a good idea.'' He looks thoughtful. ''I'm so sorry about everything, love.''

''No, I'm sorry. My head's messing with me.''

''You need to rest.'' He kisses my temple and hugs me gently.

''Come on, let’s go home.'' I smile warmly. ''Let me tell Cameron we’re leaving.''

Presley has gone to fix us something to eat. I'm settled in our bed, relaxing and watching TV on the flat screen. He comes back a few minutes later, setting the tray on the night stand. He joins me on the bed, staring deeply into my eyes. His grey eyes are breathtaking…they’re gorgeous.

''Are you comfortable like this, love?''

With the tip of my fingers, I brush his lips slowly in hope of tempting him. I know this is wrong but I can’t help it. ''Yes, why?'' I ask with a dreamy voice.

''I want to try something. Don't move,'' he orders in a husky voice.
So sensual.
I think he feels the same way I do.

Crawling up between my legs, he presses his mouth to my throat, his lips warm on the skin of my neck. My body's trembling, I’m so weak.

''Sorry, love, this isn’t a good idea,” he says, as he moves to lay by my side. ''I'm going to stay here with you, as long as you want me.'' He gives me a big wet smooch on the cheek. ''Are you okay?'' he asks making sure that I'm not in pain.

I nod, kissing him some more. Soft kisses on his chin, nibbles along his lovable jaw, and gentle bites on the tender skin of his neck.

''Abbie, don't do this. You are not in a state where we can let loose.'' He laughs. ''Not that I wouldn’t like it, but it’s not safe, love.'' He groans, reaching for my lips. “I obviously don’t know what I want myself. Everything inside me is urging to reconcile with your body, but part of my mind is telling me that you’re far from ready.” Presley blurts. I can hear the anguish in his voice,