Fight for Love (23 page)

I had to replay what Stacey said a couple of times. None of it made sense. Chelsea wasn’t the person I trusted, Stacey was. She was the one that cared about me from the beginning. She was the one that saw more in me than any other delinquent teen. While I tried to make sense of her explanation, two cops came into my room. Just my luck, Officer Belmont was one of them.

“Mr.Pierce?” The other officer, not Belmont, asked.
 

“It’s Sullivan.” That earned me a stern look and nod from Officer Belmont.
 

“We meet again,” Belmont said.

“Oh, for joy.”
 

“Um, I’m going to wait outside.” Stacey nodded to both men and left the room.
 

“Let’s get this over with. What do you want to know?”

Both officers looked at each other and had some kind of silent conversation before returning their attention to me.
 

Officer Belmont spoke up first, “We’d like to know what happened last night.”

Once again I relayed my memories of what happened. A couple of times they looked at me with furrowed brows. I wasn’t sure if they didn’t believe me or were unsure of my tone. I admit I sounded bored. Then again, I’d told the story more than once that day and felt like a broken record. Boredom fit. They both made notes and when I finished each one continued writing before focusing on me again.
 

“That’s all,” Officer Belmont said. Not a question, a statement.
 

I gave him a quick nod. “Yep. That’s it.”

“Why were you in the basement to begin with?” The other officer asked.
 

“Umm, because I wanted to work out. Dave has a full gym downstairs.”

“And you did nothing to provoke his behavior?”

“Not that I remember.” Provoke his behavior. What the hell? For a minute I thought they were planning on blaming me and would end up arresting me for assaulting Dave.
 

The other officer asked, “Do you intend to press charges?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, from the information we’ve received you have the right to press charges for assault if you choose.”

I thought about that for a minute. Maybe I could give Dave what he deserved. “What would it mean if I did?”

“We’d arrest him and take him down to the station.” He replied.

“Do I have to do it right now?”

“Why would you wait? If he did what you say, unprovoked, then why the delay?”

Good question. Dave deserved to go to jail and this wasn’t even the first time it happened, just the worst. I almost told them yes, I wanted to press charges. Then I remembered Mom. If Dave went to jail she’d be by herself again. After Dad died, alone time meant she sat around all day watching soap operas and crying. I didn’t want to see her do that again. Not that I understood why she loved Dave, but she did. Seeing her that way because I sent Dave to jail sent a wave of guilt through me.
 

No. He couldn’t get away with this. In fact, Mom being on her own would help her and I would make sure she didn’t fall back into the way she’d been after Dad.
 

“Yes, I want to press charges.”

Those five words began the process that changed everything. But first I needed pain medication and sleep. My head pounded and my body hurt. Once again the nurses had perfect timing and came through the curtain.
 

“Mr. Sullivan, we’re going to move you upstairs and it’s time for some more meds.”

Thank God for that miracle.
 

Officer Belmont said he’d be back to finish everything up after I was settled in my room. Stacey went upstairs with me. Then we called my mom. The rest of the day passed in a blur.
 

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The next time I woke up and stayed awake, Chelsea was next to the bed staring me down.
 

“When were you going to tell me what happened?” She had a stern look on her face.

“Umm, when I got to school.”

She stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought we were friends.”

“We are. Wait. How did you find out I was here?” Chelsea’s eyes darted around the room and she shifted back and forth on her feet. “Tell me.”

“I may have promised not to tell you.”

“Oh, for fucksake. Who called you? It’s not like I’m in any condition to get pissed off and do something about it.”
 

“Fine. Stacey called me.”

I looked around my room and noticed for the first time that Stacey wasn’t there. Of course, now that Chelsea was here I’d not even thought about Stacey.
 
“Where is Stacey?”

“She went to get some food or something. She told me to tell you she’d bring something back.”

“When did she leave?”

“As soon as I got here.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
 

Go figure. My girlfriend could call the one person she didn’t trust, but she couldn’t stick around while Chelsea was here to see me.
 

“Was she pissed?”

“Not really, but I have to admit I was surprised when she answered from your number.”

Ahh. That explained how Stacey got Chelsea’s number. I didn’t know if that should have pissed me off or made me happy that she cared enough to get Chelsea over here. Unfortunately, Chelsea didn’t give me any chance to think about it.
 

“So let’s get back to the matter at hand. You want to tell me why I’m just now hearing about this and you’ve been here a day and a half?”

“Because for the last day and a half I’ve been in and out of sleep and they’ve kept me doped up on meds. Thanks to my wonderful stepfather I had the shit beat out of me. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to eat something.” I reached across the bed and pushed the button for the nurse.
 

“Yes?” Since I’d been asleep for a while I didn’t know who the nurse on staff was, but the person on the other end sounded like a bitch.

“Can I eat?”

A few seconds passed before she responded. While I waited for her answer, Chelsea remained standing next to the bed tapping her foot.
 

“I’m sorry Mr. Sullivan, you’re restricted to a liquid diet right now. If you’d like I can bring you some broth or water.”

Liquid diet. Yeah, that’s what I wanted to eat. “Water.” I looked up at Chelsea. “Will you sit down?”

Her toe tapping and snarls were beginning to get on my nerves. With everything that’d happened I wasn’t in the mood to deal with her. That’s when I decided to be pissed at Stacey rather than happy that she called her. Not to mention she left me alone to talk to her. Chelsea and I got along most of the time, but she didn’t always know when to stop and tonight I needed peace and quiet, not ‘Ms. I’m Your Princess in Shining Armor’.
 

“I’ll sit on one condition.”

I ran my fingers through my hair. It felt awful and I mentally added a shower to the list of things I needed to do. “What’s your condition?”

“You promise to tell me everything that’s been going on with you. Something changed when you came over a month ago, and I haven’t pushed you to tell me. Now I want to know everything.”

“And if I can’t make that promise?”

“Then I go get you a Get Well Soon balloon, kiss you on the cheek, and tell you I’ll see you soon.”

Hmmm, I kind of liked that idea. But that’d make me an asshole, and Chelsea was still my friend. She’d been there for me. I couldn’t treat her like that now.
 

“Can we compromise?” I asked her.

“Depends on the compromise.”

Well that was progress. The nurse brought in one of those big plastic cups with the long accordion like straws they always give you, filled with ice and water. I took a few sips thinking through my compromise and what I was willing to tell Chelsea. With Stacey and me on thin ice I didn’t want to hold back from her and spill to Chelsea, nor did I want Chelsea trying to solve all my problems.
 

“I’ll tell you some of what’s happened, but not everything. And I’ll start with how I ended up here.” I lowered my chin and eyed her through my lashes. “Will that work?”

“Yeah, that’ll work I guess.”

While I gave Chelsea a few details here and there, Stacey came back. The nurses passed on to her that I couldn’t eat, but she brought me something better than food. She’d gone by the store and filled my boss in on why I wasn’t at work then stopped and picked up a toothbrush and a change of clothes. Those items were way better than food and I had to admit I liked the idea that she knew what I really needed right then. I wondered if the roles were reversed if I would have known what she needed.

To add to my surprise Stacey and Chelsea got along better than expected. I guess it shouldn’t have shocked me too much since Stacey’s profession after graduation meant she’d have to talk to and be open to listen to all kinds of people. This was probably the best practice she could get. Almost better than working at the office. That thought made me chuckle and both girls looked at me.
 

“Sorry.” I muttered into the glass of water.
 

Stacey grinned and leaned over the rails to kiss my forehead. I watched for Chelsea’s reaction, but her attention was on the TV. “It’s okay. You can tell me later what’s so funny.”

“I’m not so sure about that. But you have a lot of explaining to do later. By the way, how is my mom? Have you talked to her? Is she okay?” Stacey and Mom traded phone numbers before Mom left the hospital. I knew she would check on her, if only to give updates on me.

Stacey settled back in her chair and Chelsea rejoined the conversation “Yeah, she’s good. When I called she’d just woken up from a nap. I tried to get her to let me help with dinner or something but she refused.”

“Maybe I could stop by on my way home tonight,” Chelsea suggested.

“That’s a great idea, but I’m not sure it’s the smartest. Dave’s still there.” Stacey said, her voice cold as ice.
 

“No. You’re not going over there as long as he’s in that house.”

“I understand.” Chelsea stared out the window for a minute then turned back to Stacey and I. “So you gonna tell me the damage?” Chelsea asked.

“Yeah, I haven’t heard the final tally.” Stacey chimed in.

I looked up and down my body, and tried to remember everything the doctor told me. “Umm, let’s see. Broken tibia—or shin, whatever the hell it’s called.” I held up my left leg. “Bruised liver, a couple of broken ribs, and dislocated shoulder.” I paused for a minute. “I think that’s it. Oh, a laceration on my head that needed stitches. I don’t remember how many they told me.”

Chelsea covered her mouth, holding back a gasp. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. I didn’t want another person crying for me, and I sure as hell wouldn’t have expected Chelsea to be a crier. “Oh my God. That bastard did a number on you. I hope you returned the favor.”

“Umm, Chels, I was unconscious. Kind of hard to return the favor.”

“Fine, I’ll find him and do it myself.” God love the girl, she’d do it too. No doubt about it.
 

Stacey came and scooted me over to sit on the bed. “I’m so sorry, Luke.” Her chest vibrated against my arm as she sobbed silently. I didn’t know what to say to make her feel better, so I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her as close as possible.
 

Chelsea took that as a cue to go. Without a second thought I reached for Stacey’s hand and intertwined our fingers. I lifted her hand to my lips and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “Thank you for calling her.” She dried her tears and nodded. I tilted her chin up to look into her eyes. “Don’t let what he did to me hurt you. I can’t stand one more person being hurt by him. Especially not you.”

“You’re welcome. And I’ll try.” Her voice cracked.

We watched the news in silence for the next hour. The doctor came in and did his checkup.
 
He said I’d be there for a few more days, maybe longer. I called Mom and told her what the doctor said. A couple of sniffles came through the phone before she made me promise that I’d come home to her house rather than go back to Stacey’s. I agreed to go over after I spent some time with Stacey outside of the hospital.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” I said to Stacey. It was time to tell her how I felt. Things weren’t perfect with us, but I didn’t want to go any longer without her knowing. After this whole ordeal I knew things would get crazy. I needed both Stacey and Dr. Greenberg to help me get through it without losing my mind.
 

Stacey’s hand tightened around mine, but she kept a calm appearance on her face. “Okay.” I studied the thin blanket draped across my legs for what felt like eternity. Knowing what to say and knowing how to say it were two different things. There were only two other people in my life I’d said those three words to. She brushed her free hand up my arm in comfort. “Luke, talk to me. You can tell me anything, you know that.”

“I know. It’s just that… Well, the next few weeks or months are going to be hectic with this shit with Dave and graduation then college. I know I’ll need your help and Dr. Greenberg’s too.”

Stacey placed her fingers over my lips. “Shh. I know, Lissa knows. We’ll both be there for you. You don’t have to worry about that.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s not that. I have no doubt you’ll be there. Dr. Greenberg’s gotta make a living somehow. Why give up on me now when I’m about to need her more than I have in the past?” The little wrinkle between her eyes became more prominent and her brow furrowed. I ran my finger over the spot. “I’m joking. Chill out.”

“Get to the point, Luke.”

“I’m trying, but I want to do this right.” This time her face paled and a shadow fell over her eyes. Okay, time to get it over with. No perfect setting or getting it right. I’d confused her, made her question my sanity, and scared her. Now I needed to make her happy. “I love you, Stacey.”

She didn’t say anything, just climbed out of my bed and walked to the. Not the response I’d expected. Every muscle in my body tensed and that hurt. Damn that hurt, both physically and emotionally. This is why I didn’t tell anyone I loved them. I decide to open up, care for someone else, and hope they cared for me.