Chapter 3

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Aria's POV

I walked in the door, bracing myself for what was to come. I heard rustling from the kitchen. I didn't speak yet, fearing that if I did, something even worse would happen.

I slowly stepped into the kitchen and saw Chris rummaging through the liquor cabinet.

"Fuck," he muttered. "Where the hell is my scotch!"

He turned around and saw me in the doorway. He flared his nostrils and his face turned red.

"Did you buy my drink?"

"No," I said with a quiver in my voice.

"Well, why the hell not?," he slurred.

"It looks like you already had enough to drink tonight, Chris."

He got even more mad. He lunged toward me and was about to slap me until my face was as red as his. Just then, I heard a rustling at the door. I turned around and Ezra was at the door.

"What the hell?," Chris said, clearly annoyed.

Ezra walked toward us and pulled me to the side. He told me to stay where I was. Oh shit, he's going to fight Chris, I thought. My eyes widened, like I was silently telling him to stop. He was going to get hurt.

Ezra didn't listen to my silent plea. He walked away and stood in front of Chris.

"Were you going to hurt her?," he said, very angry.

Chris paused, then looked at me.

"Did you tell him that I hit you? Because that isn't true and you know it!"

I stood there shocked. He did not just say that.

"Well, did you? You're lying. I don't hit you, I never have."

Ezra said, "Cut the crap, Chris. I know what you do, and I'll have no problem calling the police about this."

Chris took a complete turn. His eyes narrowed into tiny slits, his face turning redder.

"Listen here, shitface. It's none of your business what I do to Aria. She deserves everything she gets. I hit her because I love her."

"That isn't love, that's sick. Also, it is my business, you're abusing your step-daughter, and that isn't right."

Chris sprung his fist up at Ezra's face. He hit back just as forceful. I stood there in shock, having no idea what to do.

Everything was flashing by me in a blur. First Chris and Ezra were fighting, and now Chris is on the floor. Ezra was beating the shit out of him, and I was kind of enjoying it.

I finally came to my senses and tried to break up the fight. I pulled Ezra off of Chris and kept him behind me. His nose was bloody, as were his fists.

He obeyed my request for him to calm down and stop fighting Chris. Chris got up off the floor and stumbled over himself.

"You bitch! You let him hit me like that? Go to your room!"

I simply grabbed Ezra and walked out the door with him. Chris, of course, was fuming. He yelled after us, but we didn't turn around or answer him.

We went back into Ezra's house and we got some water. I grabbed a first-aid kit to clean Ezra up. I hoisted myself up to the counter, and motioned him to come forward. He stood in between my legs as I cleaned up his nose and hands.

Ezra stood patiently as I mended the cuts. He stared at my face while I was looking down at his hands. I could feel his eyes on me.

"Finished," I whispered. I looked up, and Ezra was looking into my eyes.

We looked at each other for a moment, and then his head leaned in closer to mine. Our lips touched and we kissed. I kissed him back. It wasn't like earlier today. It was different, and I liked it.

"We should get to sleep," he said after we parted.

"Yeah, we should," I replied.

He helped me down from the counter and we walked upstairs to his room. He gave me a t-shirt and some shorts for me to change into.

I walked into the bathroom and changed and then brushed my teeth. I have a toothbrush at his house, and he has one at mine.

When I got out, he went to brush his teeth as well. I got into his bed, and closed my eyes. I was really tired from today.

I felt the bed dip and I opened my eyes. We smiled at each other and he pulled me close to him. I laid in his arms for the night, only thinking of this moment. I didn't want to think about what was next.