Thanks for all the reviews, guys! It's sooo cool you're all on the edge of your seats about this Greg thing.
So, I thought you all should know that I started school, ugh, so that cuts into my writing time.
I thought you all should know that I am kind of pissed because I wrote about three thousand words to this, went to save, and it messed it all up. UGH! I really liked it, too!
This took so long because I was on a cruise, buried under homework, my cable got turned off, and I needed actual time to write it (don't forget the many accidental naps). Sorry!
Review please!
Chapter named Help!, by The Beatles. You'll understand why later in the chapter....
I was nervous. What was Troy going to say? How was Greg going to take whatever Troy says to him? Why isn't Troy more upset that his friend is hitting on me? (Okay, maybe that one was an insecurity. Hey, you have the best boyfriend/husband in the world, you're still gonna have a few insecurities. You can't help it. I know Troy loves me.) I believed that Troy could handle it, I just wanted to know how he was going to handle it. I wanted to know how Greg was going to take it.
A few minutes after our talk, Troy left for downstairs, telling me to wait about ten minutes before coming down. Of course, I didn't just want to wait, so I stealthily (best to my ability) crept downstairs, and only stopped when the wall ended. I couldn't just stand on the bottom of the stairs, that would be stupid not to mention obvious. I had missed the beginning of the conversation. Dammit.
".. just gonna have to stop, man," Troy was saying when I stopped to listen.
There was a pause. "I didn't know it bothered her," Greg replied.
A stool moved. Hey, look at me. I could be the next Bond girl. Bolton, Gabriella Bolton. 014. Hee hee, alright back to eavesdropping. "I didn't either, you would be surprised at how good she is at hiding things," he added. Hey! I don't think I like that tone, mister. We'll be having a little talk later. Maybe. "It does, though, and with her past, I don't blame her," he went on.
"I really didn't think I was doing much. You know how I am," Greg responded, and I heard a glass or something move.
Troy cleared his throat. "I do know how you are," he stated.
"Yeah, you do. I don't see what the big deal is, Tommy flirts with her, too," Greg told him. The big deal is that you take it a little too far, buddy.
"Tommy does, but Tommy is harmless," Troy replied.
Something else glass moved. "And, I'm not?" he questioned.
"That's not what I mean, dude. Tommy has a girlfriend he seriously likes, he's one of my best friends, and at the end of the day, I know he loves Gabriella like a sister," Troy told him. A sister? He wants to see me naked for crying out loud! Gross! "Plus, sometimes she is just sensitive about what kind of guys that flirt with her. Tommy doesn't bother her because she really knows him, she doesn't really know you," he said.
I heard a rustle of fabric. "What's so big about her past that she's sensitive about some guys?" Greg asked.
My heart sunk. Troy better not say anything about it- "It's not my past to tell, husband or not," Troy instantly told him. I should have known he wouldn't. He's cool like that. "It just upsets her, man, and I hate that she feels like that. You've never really been in love, you don't know what it's like," he stated. "Plus, the fact that you flirt with her isn't alright with me either. You were right before, I do know how you are, Greg. You always want what you can't have, and Gabriella is definitely something you can't have."
"I know that, man," Greg assured him instantly. If you ask me, it was a little to quick.
"It was different in high school. I really didn't give a shit when you flirted with my girlfriend's because I never loved them, not even Britney, no matter what I thought at the time. This is different, Gabriella's my wife, she's everything to me, and even though I know no one is going to come between us, it still pisses me off when guys hit on her. Tommy knows what, that's why he does it, it amuses him," Troy told him. He sounded a little grumpy now. "I do now how you are, so I didn't say anything, but now I know that it bothers her," he said.
There was another pause. "I'll stop, Troy," Greg told him. "I really didn't know it was bothering her," he repeated.
The conversation was about over, so I snuck back upstairs, and waited five minutes before going back down. It didn't look like anyone was down there. I walked along the bar to peer into the kitchen, but before I could, arms wrapped around my waist. I knew these arms, so they didn't scare me. "There you are," I said as he pinned me again the bar.
"Mm-hm," he mumbled, kissing me gently.
"How'd the talk go?" I questioned, sliding my hands up his arms until my one hand rested on his tattoo.
He grinned. "Like you weren't listening," he accused.
I looked guilty in an instant. "Would sorry help?" I wondered, my hands moving up to his neck to lock behind it.
"I'm not mad, Brie, I figured you would. It's in your character," he replied, holding me tightly against him.
I stared at him for a moment before kissing him. "Where's Greg?" I asked, my voice uneven. "I hope I didn't make things awkward for you two," I offered.
"He's downstairs, and even if you did, it wouldn't matter much to me," Troy told me, his hands moved up and down my sides as he spoke. "Baby, I would rather you really tell me how you feel than hold it in, you know that. I don't care how awkward it could make things, or even embarrassing. You feeling comfortable is more important than the awkwardness. You're everything to me, don't you get that?" he questioned, looking into my eyes.
I nodded slowly. "Yes, and you know it's the same for me about you," I responded. "But, you know I would rather just avoid these types of situations. I wasn't even sure if I was going to tell you about this because he's leaving tomorrow. You kinda made me, though, so I did. I'm glad you talked to him, but I don't like to make you choose me over your friends," I tried to word right. "I love you, babe, but if you don't have any friends, eventually I will kill you," I teased.
"Brie, I have plenty of friend's, and this is the first one you've felt like this with. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be okay," he assured me.
"I know, but I over think things," I reminded him. "You know, I don't think I've ever thanked you, Troy," I commented, playing with the hair at the base of his neck. "For being a good guy. For never forcing me into anything, or-"
"You're not going to thank me for treating you right, are you?" he cut me off. I shrugged with a slight nod. "I treat you how you deserve to be treated, how I want to treat you, you shouldn't get anything less," he informed me. "I love you."
I pressed my lips against his quickly. "I love you, too, Troy. Always," I replied.
"Always," he agreed. "Now, I only came up for drinks. Are we making dinner tonight, or do you want to order it?" he questioned on his way into the kitchen.
I shrugged, following him.. "I don't know. We haven't ordered out in a while. Do you really feel like making anything, because when you said we, you must have meant you," I told him.
He chuckled, opening a coke. "I don't. I'm in the mood for take out," he said. "What do you want?"
"Chinese," he answered with me, making me laugh. "What? Leave me alone," I ordered.
"Get whatever you want, babe. I have to be at the firehouse at nine," he reminded me.
I frowned. I hate night shifts, I hardly get any sleep. Plus, the thought of Greg and me alone in the house didn't sound all that good. "Be safe, okay?" I said, leaning against the sink.
"You don't gotta tell me, Brie. I'm not trying to be anyone's hero," he assured me, standing in front of me.
"You already are," I whispered. My eyes were on the floor.
Troy hooked his finger under my chin. "You shouldn't worry so much. You'll get wrinkles," he stated before kissing my cheek and went on his way.
"Does it look like I have wrinkles?" I called after him. "Troy Bolton get back here!"
"'Tonight, you will be on top'," Troy recited from his fortune cookie later that night.
I snorted. "Of what? Tommy?" I questioned, making him jab me in side, tickling me. I took the little slip of paper from his hand. "'of the world. Tonight you will be on top of the world'," I corrected. "You're an idiot," I stated.
"Well, we could change it to in the morning. You will be on top in the morning," he suggested. "I'll be home around six. Come on!" he said when I started to shake my head.
"No," I denied, reading my own. "What a rip off," I mumbled. "'Tonight you will be on top of the world'. You would at least think they'd mix these things up," I mentioned.
Troy laughed. "What did you get, Greg?" he questioned his friend. Greg has stopped with the flirty comments, and staring, for which I am grateful. He's acted.... normal. Like, Nick, or Landon, or one of the other firefighters. It's made me much more relaxed, something I know Troy's noticed.
Greg picked his up from the coffee table. "'Winds change, as should you'," he answered, throwing it back down on the table. "I never get these things. I mean, the only way you'll be on top of the world is if you win the lottery," he said with his mouthful. Ewe, ever heard of chewing?
"I didn't play the lottery," I stated, throwing my fortune down. "Damn."
"If you changed it to the morning, I could make it come true," Troy sing-songed, making me giggle, and Greg shake his head at us while eating some more. I finished eating a little bit ago, it's Greg and Troy who are eating like tonight is the last night in the world.
I smiled a little. "We'll see," I teased.
"What time do you work tonight, Troy?" Greg asked, just as Troy put his plate down.
"Ah, nine, so I'll be leaving here around eight forty five," he told us, and my stomach jumped as I looked toward the clock. It's a little past eight. I stood up. "Where you going?" he wondered, not moving his feet.
I sighed, and tried to step over him, but he stopped me to where I was practically straddling him. "To the bathroom, would you like to come?" I questioned, being sarcastic.
"No thanks, but it was nice of you to ask," he replied, making me give him a weird look. He let me go, and I bypassed the bathroom down there, and went upstairs.
I have an ulterior motive. I grabbed the house phone off the holder, and stared at it. I wanted to call someone, someone I felt completely comfortable around, someone who didn't know Greg, someone who would come over tonight and stay until late without too many questions. My mind instantly went to my brother's. Vince? I would normally prefer an older brother, but Vince is huge compared to me, and is the only one who will fully get why Greg freaks me out.
I dialed his number, and prayed he would answer. He answered on the last ring. "Yeah?"
"Is that how you answer your phone?" I asked, starting to pace the bedroom.
"What? No. I'm in the middle of something. You need something, Lala?" he wondered.
I bit my lip. "Is there anyway you can come over tonight, and stay kinda late?" I questioned him.
"Hold on," he responded, and there was a ruffle, a bang, and a swear word. "Sorry, I was playing Xbox Live," he apologized. Bisexual or not bisexual, he's still the same old Vince. "Now, why would you want me to come over to your house, and stay late when you are a newlywed?" he asked.
"Long story short, one of Troy's Arizona friend's is here, and he makes me feel uncomfortable because of my past. I don't know why he does, he just does. And, Troy has a night shift tonight," I answered quickly. "I already told Troy about the way I feel, and he's talked to Greg, and Greg's stopped, but it's not like Troy can just get out of work, you know?" I went on, rambling. He didn't say anything. "Please, Vinny, pleasssee," I pleaded.
"Gabi, chill," he cut me off. "If you really want me there, I'll come," he assured me, and I felt relief. "I have to call and tell Val we had a thing planned, but I'll come," he added. "What time does Troy work?"
I felt bad because he was breaking something off with Val, but Greg will be gone tomorrow, and I can call Val tomorrow on his behalf if she is really pissed. "Nine," I told him.
"I'll be there around nine thirty, that's the best I can do," he replied. "I have something to do first."
"I'll take it. Thank you, thank you, thank you," I quickly agreed.
"Bye," he told me in a slight chuckle.
I smiled. "Love you," I said.
He laughed. "Love you, too," he repeated before we hung up.
I actually went to the bathroom, and fixed up my hair, but before I could leave, Troy came into the bedroom. "There you are, why'd you come up here?" he asked while pulling his shirt over his head.
"I invited Vince over," I answered honestly as he put on a clean work shirt. "Is that okay?"
"If that's what you want, it's fine," Troy told me. "Did Greg bother you at all today, though?" he wondered, now putting his work shoes on.
I shook my head repeatedly. "No, he was fine. You just said you wanted me to feel comfortable, and I have, but I would feel better if my big, strong, protective brother was here," I explained.
"I told you, babe, it's fine," he grunted, pushing his foot into a shoe.
I smiled at him. "It'd be easier to do that if you untied the shoe," I informed him, getting on my knees in front of him. I loosened it, and his foot slid in. I then continued to tie the shoe. "I swear, you're like a seven year old," I muttered under my breath.
Once I was done, he wrapped his hand around my forearm, and brought me up into his lap. "Nah, not seven, fourteen maybe," he said with a shrug.
"You only said that because fourteen is your basketball number," I accused, looping my arms around his neck.
Troy smiled before pecking me on the lips. "Well, it's better than seven," he replied childishly. "What time will Vince be here?"
"Nine thirtyish," I answered, leaning my forehead against his. "I'm gonna miss you," I whispered.
"It's one night, baby," he reminded me. "I'll be here in the morning, and if I'm lucky, my fortune will come true," he added.
I shrugged. "Maybe mine will," I agreed.
"Hell, I'll be happy with either one," he concluded. He turned his head to look at the time. "Alright, let's go," he started, picking me up bridal style.
I squeaked from surprise, but let him carry me out of the room, and down the steps. "You won't be able to do that when I'm pregnant," I stated, straightening my shirt.
Troy grinned, grabbing his keys off the hook. "Watch me," he stated. "Greg, I'm heading out!" he called into the house. Greg got up from the couch, and walked over.
They slapped hands. "Be safe, man," he encouraged, and Troy nodded.
"Always am," Troy responded.
"If you were, you wouldn't have broken your tailbone," I said lowly. Troy gave me a look. "I'll miss you," I repeated.
He took my by the hand, and pulled me against him to kiss me. The world faded away from me as I kissed him, leaving only him, and me, and the fast thumping of my heart. His tongue entered my mouth to touch mine, and fireworks were going off in my stomach. A subtle thrum appeared between my legs, too. "Mm, that's one hell of a goodnight kiss," Troy murmured when we pulled away a little while later. Greg was gone.
"Mm-hm, and if you get home safely, you just might find me wearing something slightly slutty, and ready to make your fortune come true," I confessed.
He smiled like a kid in a candy store.. "Which fortune? Mine or yours?" he questioned.
"I'll make yours come true, if you make mine come true," I suggested.
He kissed me again slowly for a moment. "Deal," he agreed. "I love you," he said against my lips.
"I love you, too," he replied. "Always."
I nodded. "Always," I whispered.
He left a few minutes later after one more bye to Greg, and a couple more kisses to me. I heard Greg in the kitchen, and blew air out of my lips. I went into the living room to begin cleaning up the Chinese food. "You eat a lot more than average girls," Greg stated behind me, and I quickly turned around.
"What? Oh, I know. I have a big family, and lots of brothers, so I guess they rubbed off on me," I explained, picking up a few of the boxes. "Are you done?" I asked him.
He nodded, his hands slipping into his pockets. "Yeah, I'll help with the clean up," he volunteered.
I shook my head. "No, you don't have to do that, you're the guest and all," I insisted, trying to juggle all the boxes myself.
Greg walked up to me, and took a few of them off me. "Exactly, and I'm the reason you ordered so much, and Troy wouldn't even let me pay. It's the least I can do," he argued.
"We probably would have ordered this much, I do eat like a boy," I reminded him, making him smile. I started towards the kitchen with Greg following. "So, you excited to go home tomorrow?" I questioned. "You haven't been home in a year, right?"
"Yeah, it'll be nice to see my parents, and my friends, my little sister," he listed off. "But, it was nice to take off for a year, see new things, meet new people," he went on.
I cleared my throat to think of what else to say. "You're parents are still together?" I wondered, doing the dishes.
"Yep, I have one of the few whose parents still like each other," he answered, and I laughed a little. "Yours aren't, right? You have a half-brother," he said.
"AJ? I don't consider him a half-brother, he's just like any other sibling I have," I replied. "He's going to be a senior in high school this year," I added.
We were silent for a few minutes. "Gabi, I'm sorry about before, well, about the past couple days I've been here," he apologized, making me stop to look at him. "I didn't know you'd be so sensitive about it, it's just who I am, I guess," he told me.
"It just makes me uncomfortable," I said lowly. "I didn't even want to tell Troy, because you're his friend and all, but he made me. He usually does," I admitted.
"I know it pisses off some girls, especially girls in relationships, that's when I stop. I didn't know you were one of those girls," Greg responded.
I crinkled my eyebrows together. "Why wouldn't I be? I'm married, Greg, happily married," I reminded him.
"Well, Tommy does it, so I didn't think it would bother you," he tried to save himself.
"If Tommy jumped of a bridge, would you do it, too?" I asked, getting a little angry now. I wasn't exactly sure why, just was. I dried off my hands.
Greg shook his head. "No, but it's not like you don't put yourself out there," he told me.
I was down right offended now. "What!?" I practically screeched.
"You don't exactly dress like a happily married woman," he stated.
"What does that mean? Happily married women are supposed to dress in old lady pants, and baggy shirts now?" I asked. "Sorry, I didn't get the memo."
Greg shook his head. "Not exactly, but they don't dress like you," he corrected. I was speechless. "So, that makes me think, maybe you want it. You are a little overly friendly," he said. "And, you only told Troy because he was asking questions."
I didn't know what to say. Is he for real? "Are you serious?" I questioned after a moment.
"Have you cheated on him yet, since you got married, I mean. I know you did before. In high school with that one guy, and you had to of when you broke up in college," he stated. I was shocked this time. "Can't think up a lie quick enough?" he wondered.
I tried to form words. "Wha- Are-" I stopped.
He pinned me against the counter, and I leaned as far away from him as I could while trying to push him away. "You already know I think you're gorgeous, and I'm good at a lot of things, Brie," he informed me. "Keeping a secret is only one of them," he whispered, trying to lean in towards me.
"You're also good at being a jackass, and don't call me Brie," I told him, pushing on his chest harder, but he's stronger than me. "Get the hell away from me," I ordered, pushing harder.
Greg chuckled. "Don't resist, baby, I'm bigger than you," he stated the obvious. Everyone is, have you seen me? "I won't tell Troy if you won't, so is the lovable wife routine over yet?" he wondered, pushing himself all the way against me.
"Greg, get away," I pleaded. The situation felt too familiar, and my heart was in my throat. No, not again.
"Really, Gabi, it's getting old," Greg insisted with his lips at my ear.
His hands started to go underneath my shirt. "Stop," I said with tears in my eyes, still trying with all my might to get him away. He was starting to get off balance a little because my whole body was into working at getting him away from me, but I still wasn't strong enough. I knew it, he knew it. I couldn't let this happen again, I can't feel that way again, it'll shatter me again. "No, please," I begged, now focusing on his hands that were on my skin.
"You girls, always trying to play hard to get," he grunted, smashing me against the counter, and I felt pain in my back. It in the back of my mind, I wondered how many times has he done this. Am I the first? For every other female out there, I hoped so. I continued to beg, and plead, and push, but he was overpowering me so easily. One of his hands was locked around both of my wrists as the other was working it's way up my abdomen. My shirt had tore a little, I knew that when I heard it. I finally managed to lodge my knees into his balls, but it wasn't very hard because he had me pinned too tightly, but I knew it aggravated him. "Fuck, I didn't know you liked it rough," Greg said, squishing me further, and I didn't know that that was possible. The pain in my back grew, my worry grew to an unbelievable amount, and I just wanted it all to be over. There was no way I could stop this. There's nothing in reach to hit him with, I don't really think I can move my legs with the pain in my back, and my arms weren't doing any good.
He pushed his lips against mine, and I was disgusted with my face tight. I heard another tear, and knew it was my top again. I was just happy it wasn't my pants. Tears were rolling down my face, and against all odds, even though I knew there was no getting out of this, my arms were still working, and I was still squirming, knowing it wasn't any use.
Then, the door opened. "Gabriella!" Vince called. Vince! Vince, Vince, Vince! Greg stopped, and moved away, causing me to fall to the ground, tears still flowing.
"Vince!" I yelled in a broken crack.
He was in the kitchen in a second. "What the fuck?" he questioned, his eyes blazing, his expression tight.
"Who the hell are you?" Greg had the nerve to ask as I crawled away from him, and over to Vince.
Vince reached out for me, getting me to my feet, and I hugged him. "I'm her brother, bitch, what the fuck do you think you're doing?" he questioned Greg again, holding onto me. He didn't wait for his answer. "Are you okay?" he looked down at me. I didn't have to answer, he already knew; no. He let got of me, and I stood there silently. Vince went over towards Greg, pulled his fist back, and punched Greg in the face. A sickening crack emanated, and Greg flew back against the wall, and in an instant, Vince had him pinned. He is a big boy, especially next to Greg.
"Vinny, no," I ordered, throwing myself at my younger brother, and tugged at his arm. "It doesn't help anything," I said weakly. Beating up Greg meant he stayed here. I wanted him gone, out of my house, out of my sight, away from me. Far away. Arizona wasn't far enough.
"Oh, it helps a whole bunch," Vince disagreed, hitting Greg's body against the wall.
"Dude, I thought she was into it," Greg lied, trying to get Vince away, but he was stronger.
Vince laughed sarcastically. "If you think that's into it, you have problems," he replied.
"VInce, please," I pleaded, tugging on his arm some more.
Vince looked over at me. He saw the fear in my eyes, the hurt, the tears. "You're so lucky I care more about her more than I do about beating your ass," he warned Greg, letting his go. "Get the fuck away from this house, you even look back at it, and the next thing you'll be seeing is hell, because you'll be dead," he threatened, and Greg ran out, the door slamming behind him. I was already back against Vince, hugging him.
"Thank you," I whispered, crying still.
"I'm sorry I didn't get here faster," he replied, hugging me tight.
I didn't know what to say. I didn't like the 'sorry,' I didn't want it. I just sniffled against his chest.
"You have to call Troy, Lala," Vince stated a minute or two later. I pulled away, a silent 'no' coming from my mouth. "You can't keep this from him, Gabi, even if you want to for some odd reason. Either you call him now, or I will. I'm not going to let you do this again," he told me.
I swiped the tears under my eyes. "I can wait until he get out of work, I mean-" I stopped when he started shaking his head.
"No, Gabriella, now," he replied. "You go upstairs, change, I'll go make sure he's gone," he suggested.
I sniffled. "You won't leave, right?" I asked quietly.
He shook his head. "No, I'm not leaving, at least until Troy gets home. Even then, I think I'll want to stay," he assured me.
He forced me upstairs a few minutes later, alone. I didn't like being alone. I wanted Troy, I wanted him here, with me, making me feel safe. First, I changed into black sweatpants, and Troy's red and white shirt he gave me before college. I put my clothes in the trash, never wanting to wear them again. During all of it, I tried to get the flashes out of my head. The flashes of Greg, what he said, why he thought it was okay, if he was right. Then, my original rape was coming back, that dark night, in the alley, the same feeling I got not moments ago.
I pushed back tears, knowing Vince was right, and I wanted to get telling Troy ever with. He had to know, and he had to know now. You never know where Greg is right now. A shiver and fear ran through me. My eyes looked to the balcony. I ran over to it, locking it, and looked out through the see-through curtain. It looked empty. All the windows were locked, I knew that, Troy locks them when they're closed. I dialed the firehouse, dread filling me. Dan answered. "Dan, h-hi, it's," I stopped to sniffle. "Gabriella. Troy's there right, seeing as you're there," I said.
"Yeah, he's here, it's been a slow night," Dan told me. Wish it was the same for me.
I didn't want to talk to Dan, I didn't want to talk to Troy. I wanted to curl up in a ball in cry. I wanted to scrub myself in the shower like I did last time, I wanted to rewind time. My heart constricted. "Ca-can I talk to him?" I questioned.
I knew Dan knew something was up. "I'll get him, Gab. One sec," he replied, and he put me on hold.
"Brie?" Troy's voice rang through the phone, making my eyes fill. Damn.
"Hey," I greeted, rubbing my eyes, wondering how it came to this. How I almost let it happen again.. I promised myself it wouldn't. I should be stronger, I should have been able to fight him off. This is all my fault. Maybe Greg is right, maybe I asked for it.
There was a noise in the background. "What's up, babe?" he asked, his voice uneven. He knew I wasn't calling just to hear his voice and say 'hi' like I did right after we got married.
"I wanted to wait because you're at work, but I can't," I started, feeling weak.. My voice was weak, I looked weak, I am weak.
"Baby, what's wrong? Is it Greg?" he questioned me.
I let out a breath. "Are you alone? Can you go somewhere so you are?" I wondered.
"I am alone, and you're scaring me. What happened?" he demanded.
I closed my eyes. "Yes, it's Greg," I answered, fighting to keep the tears in. They need to stay in. The second I start again, I'm a goner. And, when that happens, I want Troy here. I just want to feel safe again. "A-After you left, he- he," I tried. Troy stayed quiet. Attacked me? Hurt me? "He forced himself on me," I finally finished.
"What? Are you okay? Where is he?" Troy asked, his voice went from caring and soft, to hard in one sentence.
"I'm- I'm." How do I explain it? "Vince walked in, and punched him, then threw him out," I offered.
Troy was quiet for only a second. "I'm coming home," he stated.
That was what I wanted. "You can't, you can't just leave," I reminded him.
"The fuck if I can't," he replied. "I'm gonna say a word or two to Dan, then I'm coming home. Tell Vince not to leave," he informed me.
"Troy, don't tell anybody. Please," I pleaded, biting my lip, wondering how in God's name I am making it through this conversation.
"I won't, I'll be home in under ten minutes, I promise. I love you," he responded.
I nodded, biting my lip. "I love you, too," I murmured back, and the line went dead. Two minutes later, I was creeping down the steps, wondering where Vince is, because I didn't see or hear him. "Vin?" I said aloud in a normal voice that cracked.
"I'm right here," he answered back immediately, making me jump and fill with relief. I finished my way down the steps, and he met me there. "What'd he say?" he wondered.
I ran hand through my hair, wanting this night to be over, or never to have happened. I wanted the latter more, much, much more. "He's coming home," I replied in a soft voice just above a whisper.
Vince wrapped his arms around my shoulders to hug me. "Come on, let's sit while we wait," he suggested lamely, and brought me over to the couch. He sat me down, and put a blanket over me. I sat like a statue, I didn't feel safe, and I really wanted a shower. I sniffled and brought the blanket closer around me. "How did it happen, Gab?" he asked a minute later.
I shrugged, my eyes watering. "I don't know," I squeaked, not wanting to tell him all about it. I didn't want to talk about it.
He seemed to accept it. "You have to call the cops," he stated a moment after.
I turned to him. "No. No, I don't," I disagreed.
"Gabriel-"
"No," I cut him off. "I'm not, and you won't either. He didn't even do anything," I said.
Vince scoffed. "He didn't do anything? He ripped your shirt almost all the way off, you have bruises forming on your arms, I found you on the floor," he reminded me. I looked down, I didn't have bruises, but I did have red marks, and I knew that he squeezed hard enough to wear I would have bruises. My back was killing me, too, from the counter digging into me. "You have to report it this time," he concluded.
"He didn't ra- he didn't do it, Vince, there is nothing to report," I insisted. "He's gone, Vince, and Troy is on his way back, it's over," I told him.
He shook his head. "Maybe the attack itself is over, but this isn't. You're going to carry this around with you," he informed me.
"Do you seriously think that I don't know that?" I asked in a whisper, wanting Troy more than anything. I wanted him here with me, holding me, telling me he loves me, and that everything Greg said is wrong. Is it wrong? Do I dress like slut? I didn't think so, but looking back, I don't know. Am I overly friendly? I don't know anything anymore. "I'm sorry I'm burdening you with all of this, Vince," I added.
"Don't say that, Gabi. Do you have any idea how happy I am that you called?" he questioned. "I'm sorry I didn't get here earlier," he repeated himself.
I ran a hand through my hair. "It's not your fault, you got here when you could," I told him. "You got here before he could do anything really bad," I said, closing my eyes while I got a rape flashback. I had locked those memories away a long time ago. I didn't exactly want to remember them. They were fighting to get loose now, though, and I didn't have it in me to fight.
Vince didn't say anything else because the front door opened, and my heart knew it was Troy. I ran from the couch to the dining room where Troy met me in a tight hug. I was hugging him so hard he had to have trouble breathing. "I'm so sorry, baby," he whispered in my hear, holding me, and I felt safe. I felt totally safe, and secure. I didn't like the sorry, though. I didn't want it, I didn't need it, it's not his fault.
I didn't say anything, though, because I was just focused on him holding me.
"What happened?" he questioned, pulling away an inch or three so he could look at me. I didn't say anything again, not wanting to tell. I just rested my forehead on his lips, and he kissed it before I nuzzled his chest again.
"She didn't tell me," Vince said from behind me. Troy must have looked at him for an answer. "When I got here, she yelled for me, and he had her in the kitchen. Her shirt was all tore up, and she was on the floor, crying," he told him.
Troy swore under his breath, and somehow I buried further into him. "I'm sorry, this is all my fault," he murmured in my ear.
"It's not," I replied, speaking for the first time since he got here. "It's not, it's- I don't blame you, Troy, so don't blame yourself," I ordered. I really don't blame him, in any way. Yes, Greg is here because of him, but it's not like he knew. I told him what I felt, he did what he thought was best, talk to Greg. Maybe this all wouldn't have happened if I hadn't got into that little fight with him, and just got pissed, and walked away, up to my room, and locked the door. I don't blame Troy.
"I told her we had to call the cops," Vince spoke up.
"No," I said again, and turned my head to look at him. "We're not, there is nothing to say."
Troy cupped my cheek. "Gabriella, we have to-"
I shook my head. "No. No, Troy. If you do, I won't tell them anything," I stated. "I don't want to talk to them, it's over, he's gone. I just want to be with you," I told him. "Please," I whispered.
I knew he was cracking. He knew I was serious when I said that I wouldn't talk to the cops. "If you won't let me call the cops, I'm going to go find him," Troy informed me.
"No, why?" I asked, grabbing onto his shirt. He gave a look. "Troy, I don't want you to leave, and I don't want you to call the cops. Please, can't we just stay here and-" I stopped, not knowing what to say. And what?
"Gabriella, I'm not going to just do nothing. If you won't want to talk to the cops, I'm going to go find him. He isn't going to get away with this. It's bad enough whoever raped you got away with it the first time," he told me.
I didn't know what to do. I really didn't want to get the cops involved, but I didn't want Troy to leave me either. "That's not fair," I mumbled, trying to ignore the throb on my back.
"This isn't fair," he agreed, linking his hands through mine. "It's not fair to you at all, but you have to chose what you want," he told me.
"I'll stay with Gabriella when you go out to find him," Vince volunteered from behind me.
Troy looked behind me, and nodded slightly, then down to me. "I don't want to talk to the police," I finally managed, and Troy nodded again. A couple minutes after Troy told Vince to grab Greg's shit (in those words), Troy was going to change, and I didn't want him out of my sight, so I went with him. I didn't want to be left downstairs, either. As soon as we were in the bedroom, I was hugging him just as tightly as I was when he first got here. "How long are you going to be gone?" I asked him.
"I don't know. It depends on how long it takes to find him. I'm not going to let him get away with this," he repeated. "But, the sooner I leave, the sooner I'll be back," he said
I let go of him, and he kissed me on the forehead before beginning to change. I leaned against our bed with my arms wrapped around myself. He put on jeans, a black t-shirt, and black sneakers. He reached for my hand when he was done, and I instantly took it. I didn't move when he went to start walking. "I don't want you to go alone," I admitted. "I don't want you to go at all."
"It's this or the police," he reminded me. I stayed quiet. "I'll stop by the apartment building and grab Chad," he offered after looking at me for a moment. "I won't tell him what we're doing, or why we're doing it, I'll just tell him I have to," he said before I could tell him not to tell Chad.
We went back down stairs, and Vince told Troy he already put Greg's bag in his car. It's not like we wanted to give it back to him, we just didn't want it in our house anymore. "I don't want you to go. I want you to stay here with me," I muttered to Troy next to the door right before he was going to leave.
"I want to stay here with you," he responded, pushing hair behind my ear. "But, I have to do this," he finished. I blinked back the tears. I didn't want him to leave, I wanted to stay feeling safe. I want a lot of things right now. "I'll be back soon," he promised.
I nodded while sniffling and looking down. "'Kay," I whispered.
He hooked a curled finger under my chin. "I'm not sure if I should be glad or worried by the way you're handling this," he confessed.
"Glad?" I wondered, looking into his eyes.
"You're letting me in," he explained, pulling me close. "Right from the start," he added. Am I? I haven't even told him exactly what happened. I haven't told him how I feel, that I'm wondering if what Greg said is right, if this is all my fault. "Then again, you haven't told me anything," he mumbled. There you go.
I moved his hand to my cheek. "Can you just go and come back?" I asked, leaning into his hand. "I want you back here," I told him.
He nodded. "I love you," he said as he hugged me.
"I love you, too," I replied, taking one last whiff of him. He was gone a minute or two later, leaving me sad, and not safe anymore. "Vince!" I called out. "I'm going to take a shower."
Here it is. Sorry for the wait.
This is the shortest chapter yet. Sorry about the shortness.
Eh, I like most of it, not the end. I couldn't get it right. Sorry about that, too.
Tell me what you all think.
Whether Greg was the rapist or not will be known only by me... for now, maybe.
-- Kayleigh