Character names and Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer. This story and it's plot and character variations belong to me. No infringement intended. This story contains sexual explicit and mature language and situations. IF you don't like, don't read. Not for children under age 18.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing

In this chapter we see Jasper's conversation with his best friend. Enjoy

When I went downstairs, everyone was outside but Kevin and our Moms. He'd kicked his shoes off and was sitting Indian-style on the couch eating a pan of monkey bread and drinking milk. His face brightened when he saw me and he motioned for me to come sit next to him on the couch. I smiled at him and plopped down excitedly next to him.

"This is so good." He said savoring every mouthful. "Mmm." He chuckled. "Almost as good as busting a-"

"Kevin!" His mother scolded him from the kitchen. "You watch your mouth!"

He smiled devilish at me and I returned it. "Sorry, Mama." He wiped his fingers on his napkin. "Are you okay now?"

I nodded. "Yeah, now that it's outside."

He laughed softly. "Dude, you should have seen the look on your face. Priceless!" He stuffed his mouth again.

"Well, it just surprised me. That's all. I wasn't expecting something like that to be in there." I reached for a piece of his bread and he swatted my hand, but allowed me a piece any way. We chewed silently. "How in the hell did a snake get in my bathroom?" I shivered at the memory. "I'm glad you were here to get it out." I finished my little snack.

"I'm sure Uncle JP or my Dad could have taken care of that job if I were not here." He winked at me.

"Yeah, but not as fearlessly as you did." We laughed a little. It felt so good to be this relaxed and worry free again. It had been a long time. "I'm so glad you're here, Kevin. I have missed you something fierce."

He nodded. "Me too. I will always be here for you Jazz, just like with that snake."

I swallowed a thick lump that had formed in my throat. "Thanks Kevin. I know." I reached for his half gallon of milk and he swatted my hands.

"Unn…unn…" He snatched it away and I laughed. "Mom! Jasper needs a glass!" He yelled. "I know where you mouth has been." He told me guarding his milk. "Unn…unn…"

"Really, Kev? After all the times you have drank my saliva and backwash? You cannot be serious." I said reaching for the milk again, but he blocked my arm.

"Unn…unn…no, sir!" His mother walked out with a glass and sat it on the table. I stood up and hugged her neck.

"Hey Aunt Felicia." I kissed her cheek. "Thanks. Kevin is being nice-nasty."

She kissed me back. She pushed Kevin's head to the side. "Be nice." We laughed as she walked back into the kitchen.

"I can't believe you're going to make me drink out of a glass." I sat back down and reached for the milk.

"Hmm…hmm…" He winked at me. "Pour up."

"My best friend just picked up a snake, and now is afraid to drink behind me."

"Hmm…hmm…" We both laughed. I poured a little milk in the glass and before he knew what was happening, I took a swig out of the jug.

"Jazz!" He laughed and snatched it from me. "Not cool, dude."

I laughed again and wiped my milk mustache. He shook his head and after devouring another piece of the sticky dessert, he took a long swig from the jug too.

"I knew you didn't care. You never care." I laughed. "I made it extra sweet for you."

He nodded. "Yep, yep. So Jazzy what's been going on with you? I mean, I feel like it's been forever since I talked to you." He finished the rest of the milk and sat back on the couch. He was sitting very close to me and I was sure if James walked in he would be incensed by the proximity of our bodies.

"Everything has been okay. Nothing much to talk about." I said. "What about you?"

"Jazz, why haven't you called me?" He asked, completely ignoring my question. "I don't even have your phone number and I've never been to your place. What's up with that?" He asked boldly. "I mean, you're my best friend. I find this a little odd."

I looked toward the kitchen and saw our mothers talking to each other, but I was sure they were listening to every word. I also knew that James and the others had been outside for several minutes and it wouldn't be long before they would return to the house.

"Kevin," I whispered. "Can you text my Dad and tell him to stall everybody outside to give us a chance to talk upstairs?"

Especially my husband.

He understood and immediately pulled out his cell phone and honored my request. Within seconds he'd communicated the message to my father and Dad replied with a message that said, "OK. Let me know when you're ready for us to come back inside."

"Let's go upstairs to my room so we can talk." I whispered and pointed towards the kitchen to remind him that we had eavesdroppers. We informed our Moms that we were going to hang out upstairs, they rolled their eyes knowingly, and Kevin followed me quietly upstairs. I reached for the handle of my bedroom door, but decided it would be better to take this conversation to the spare room just in case James came back early.

"Let's go in this other room." Kevin didn't question me, but obediently followed me there. Once inside, I locked the door behind us and we sat on the bed facing each other, Indian-style like we used to do when we were kids. We smiled at each and hugged for a few minutes before we broke apart.

"You look great, Kevin. Your Dad must have been sending you packages of his black slush and protein death bars in the mail. He's a health and fitness guru and I'm sure he's been rubbing off on you."

He smiled at me and flexed his biceps. "Yeah, he's always on me about this or that. Sometimes he drives me crazy with that stuff. "

I laughed. "I could only imagine. I remember how he used to rag us back in high school. Truthfully Kev, I miss that though. I was in much better shape back then than I am now. And…it felt so good to have someone looking out for you, you know, making sure that you were okay." I shook my head and dropped it so he couldn't read my face. He reached over and lifted my chin with his finger. "I feel like I'm wasting away…inside and out."

"Talk to me Jazz." He pleaded taking my hands in his. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest. Could I finally do this? Could I finally tell him the truth?

"Kevin, you have no idea. I don't even know how or where to start." I confessed.

"How about from the beginning?" He said softly. "That's a great place."

I looked hopelessly at him and shook my head. Part of me was afraid to talk to him because I didn't know how he would react. I wasn't sure if he'd hate me for not telling him, or if he'd be so angry that he would rush down to the yard and beat James' ass. I didn't want either to happen. The other part of me was afraid of what James would do once he was back in the house and discovered I was upstairs in the privacy of this room with Kevin. When I hesitated, my brother reached up and brushed my hair out of my eyes. He gently lifted my chin again.

"You are safe with me, Jazz. You don't have to be afraid to talk to me." He coaxed. "You're with your family now. That's all that matters."

We just laid there while I tried to gather enough courage to tell my brother about my living hell. I wasn't aware how long Kevin and I had been in that position, but his cell phone buzzed with a message from my Dad asking what was up. Understanding that I wasn't ready for separation, Kevin told him that we were having a very "deep" conversation and that he needed to take the guys out for a while.

This scared me because James would not want to leave me alone like that. He would surely resist my Dad. Kevin's phone buzzed again with another message stating that my father was going to try to convince the guys into going to town to buy some stuff for the party, get more beer, and "bond" with James whom they haven't had the "pleasure" of spending time with without me. I wasn't so sure how that was going to go over with him, but I had to trust them.

James would know something was up. He wasn't stupid, but at least that would give me and Kevin some time alone. I was also sure Rosie would tag along, so she wouldn't be around to interfere. I could only hope she and James didn't have a brawl in my Dad's SUV. I owed my Dad big time for this because I was sure he was ready to vomit just at the thought of James being near him like that. I knew he went along with it because he was thinking that Kevin might be able to accomplish what he'd tried to earlier…to get me to spill James' milk. Our mothers would hold their position in the kitchen and wouldn't bother us either.

"Jazz, don't worry." Kevin read my face. "Our Dads will keep James in check. When they get back we'll go downstairs and if you want I can stay and we can burn the midnight oil. Eventually he'll have to go to bed."

I exhaled. "You don't know James."

He really didn't, but I did. He was going to be livid that he was coaxed away from this house as it was. If Kevin spent the night and stayed down there with him, James would stay up all night if he had to. He'd stay there until we either fell asleep or we called it quits and went upstairs. There was no way he would intentionally leave us together downstairs.

"You're right. I don't know him. I've never been given the opportunity to know him. All I know is that he is some older dude that my brother fell head-over-heels in love with. That's it. I don't know anything." He followed me when I went over to look out of the window. Dad had been successful in talking everyone into going to town. I guess James had decided to go to keep from blowing his cover. They were pulling out of the driveway and I made a point to stay out of James' line of vision.

"Jasper, fill in the gaps for me. I'm your fucking best friend for God's sake. We've been tight since the crib and I don't like that fact that you're sneaking and ducking and afraid to make a move around this guy. What's going on?"

I turned to face him and dangled my arms at my sides. "Alright, Kev. I'll tell you, but you have to give me your word that you will not overreact, that it stays between us until I'm ready to let everyone else know, and that mainly you will keep your cool and follow my lead."

He looked unsure. He was frowning, considering what I was saying. He wasn't comfortable with my terms. "Jasper, I don't-"

"It's my way or nothing at all Kev. I love you and I trust you more than any other person in this whole world. I've never shared what I'm about to tell you with anyone and if you can't agree to this, then we will call it done right now. I'm not trying to be rude or dis you or anything like that, but there is too much riding on this and too much at stake."

He was silent as he stood with his chin stuck to his chest. He was still trying to come to terms with my request. It appeared that he wasn't sure that he could not beat James' ass if I told him something really bad.

"Can I trust you with this, Kevin?" I asked firmly. "You're all I have right now and I need for you tell me that I can trust you." My voice sounded desperate, and needy.

Whatever he was thinking, he let it go and his face relaxed. He exhaled and placed his hands on his hips. "Yeah, Jazzy. You can trust me. I give you my word. Whatever you tell me will stay right here and I will only respond as you tell me to."

"Alright." I took a deep breath and then exhaled. "Kevin…" I exhaled again. "Kevin let's sit back on the bed." We both got back on the bed and resumed our favorite childhood sitting position. I placed my hands and on my knees and willed myself to do this while Kevin waited patiently. I looked up at him through tears again. I could barely get the words out of my mouth because my throat felt thick.

"Talk me to Jasper." He whispered taking my trembling hands in his own. "You have my word. Trust me. I'll always have your back."

I opened my mouth and began to pour my heart out. "Kevin, James has been abusing me."

I paused and stared intently at his face, waiting for some form of judgment or criticism. There was none. He remained the same.

"Go on." He spoke softly. I was pretty clear at this point that all I was doing was confirming his suspicions about my relationship with my husband. I stalled and he reassured me again. "It's alright. I'm listening."

I nodded and squeezed his hand. I forced myself to maintain eye contact with him but it was so hard to keep my focus on him. This was so embarrassing and painful. I just couldn't look at him as I spoke. He didn't pressure me so I looked down at our hands.

"It started right after we got married. Actually, there were signs when we were dating but I didn't see them at the time. He was controlling and dominating my time, therefore keeping me from all of you guys. Part of me thought that was strange, but another part of me wanted to keep him from everybody because I didn't want you all to try to convince me not to be with him. The truth is Kevin, is that I really, really loved him."

He stroked the back of my hand and I looked up at him and shook my head. "I fell so hard for him, Kev. He was my first and only love. I would have done anything for him…anything. All he had to was ask." I sniffled. "He was perfect. Yes he was older, but that didn't matter, and it still doesn't. In the beginning he was so much fun, we hung out together and all of that, then we became sexually involved. That's when my heart got all tangled up in it, and whatever was wrong with James, I either completely shut it down or just didn't care."

He coughed, but otherwise remained silent as I continued my story.

"Kevin, I had never felt that way about anyone before. I was so wrapped up in him, and there were times I knew I should have been angry or upset with him about something, but I couldn't be. My heart wouldn't allow it. He was it, Kevin. He was my man and I really thought he loved me. I keep telling myself over and over that in the beginning he did love me, and that something went terribly wrong and that's why he changed. When I look back on how we were in the beginning, and how beautiful our relationship was, I can't entertain any idea that he never loved me. I just can't admit to being that blind and stupid."

I paused again and waiting for him to judge me, but my best friend came through for me. His eyes were full as his heart went out to me. He was trying to hold it together, but my hurt instantly became his hurt. He nodded and I continued.

"I didn't tell you about the wedding because I knew you would be opposed to it, as well as the rest of the family. James had the bright idea to run off and get married because he too knew my family would be dead set against, especially since he and I had only been dating for a short while. Although, I kind of believe that would only have made him pursue me harder. All I knew is that I was madly in love with this man who was more than capable of taking care of me and meeting every one of my needs. I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life, and he convinced me that I didn't need anyone else's approval in order to take that next step. He said we loved each other and that was all that mattered."

I looked at the clock. Dad and the others had only been gone for about ten minutes so I knew we were still good on time. Dad was an excellent staller. I was sure he'd filled Uncle Michael in, and he too was good at playing along. He also knew how to keep Rosie and the boys distracted so that they wouldn't start whining about coming back home.

"James promised that we would have a big reception when we got back and invite everyone, but that never happened. It wasn't long after we got back that the abuse started. He had to hurry up and mark his territory and show me who was boss in his house. I was so young Kevin. I really didn't even know what I was doing. I was trying to be a husband and deal with the abuse. I was just so confused."

"So what happened?" He whispered when we heard our mothers' laughing downstairs about something.

I cleared my throat. "He started demanding my undivided attention, more so than when we were dating. He stopped doing a lot of the nice things he'd done for me before, and started becoming more and more demanding and controlling. He took advantage of my age and my willingness to please him. He used me for sex, which was fantastic before he changed. I mean, I swear Kevin; he got off on the fact that I was a virgin and he was the first, and has only been there. He thinks that gives him some type of ownership and power over me or something. He knew I was psyched out over him and therefore he had me right where he wanted me."

Kevin rose up and crawled to the head of the bed, where he rested his back. He invited me to come join him and sat with my back resting on his chest. This wasn't weird for either one of us. It felt great actually. Kevin had always accepted my sexual orientation and that had never skewed his perception of me as his brother and his friend. We had always been very giving about our personal space with each other. There were no barriers. Our friendship was unmarred and precious…just beautiful. This was also his way of making me feel comfortable and secure about talking about this with him.

"Comfy?" He asked as I shifted a little.

"Yes, thank you Kevin. I'm sorry to drop all of this on you, especially since we haven't seen each other in so long."

"Jasper, are you kidding? Don't worry; I want you to tell me this. You need to tell me this." He relaxed his chin on my head. "No worries at all. Go on, please."

"I'm going to tell you something, but if it is TMI, just say so and I'll stop." I felt him nod. "The sex was great Kevin. I meant totally. James was an expert and he knew exactly what to do and how to do it. He knew how to make me feel loved, needed, and wanted. He knew how to hook and catch me. We had lots of fun sex, anywhere we wanted to. It was wonderful." I felt him shift. "Too much? I can stop."

"No not all. I know you Jasper. I could understand how you could have fallen in love with him after all of that. Don't worry. You know I'm not the least bothered by that ass of yours. I'm not homophobic. It's the right-winged jack asses that get on my nerves."

We laughed a little and I continued. "Kevin, you've seen how he dresses."

He chuckled. "Oh yeah. Like a freaking mannequin in a department store."

I nodded. "Well he's like that all of the time and he makes me dress like that. He buys all of my clothes, accessories, shoes. It's insane. I can't just relax and be me. I mean, look how I'm dressed now. These are three hundred dollar jeans! What the fuck? I'm content with a pair of wranglers from Wal-Mart and a plain white t-shirt! …WITH no shoes or socks!"

Kevin laughed. "Right."

"It's ridiculous. Anyway, the real problems started after we got back from our honeymoon. We got into a fight about him being controlling and all and I messed up and let him know that I was afraid of him. That was a mistake I will live with for the rest of my life. He whipped the shit out of me that day with his belt and then tried to make up for it. Then he told me that if I was good then he wouldn't hurt me." I shook my headed, disgusted. "It's such bullshit."

I sat up and turned my body to face him. "Kevin after that, I was started becoming so terrified of him, so I started doing internet research to try to figure out what was going on. I really didn't know what he was capable of doing. He started finding reasons to yell at me or criticize me. He found reasons for hitting me or verbally abusing me. It was either the house wasn't clean enough, the car was dirty, his clothes, etc. etc. etc. I didn't know if I was going or coming. I didn't know how to please him or what was right or wrong. Every day I woke up thinking of ways not to piss him off. Then it got to the place where he would be angry the moment he opened his eyes in the morning. It was then that I realized that I didn't have to do anything for him to get pissed off. That was a right he reserved for himself apparently."

"Wow."

"Yeah, and I mean he like totally wakes up and starts slapping me out of my sleep because I didn't wake him up by giving him a blow job, or because I didn't satisfy him enough the night before. Kevin when I tell you living with this man has becoming a terrifying, surreal nightmare, believe that. James is a lunatic. I mean an OCD, freakatic!"

He nodded, amazed by what I was saying.

"Kevin, James is fucked up crazy. When he comes home he beats me if I don't have an erection and if I'm not in the kitchen waiting for him to come in and fuck my brains out. He slaps me if his food isn't cooked right or if it's not the right temperature. Kevin he has me secluded out there in that house in the woods. I have to sneak to do things, like email or call you because if he knew that he would smash my face into the floor. He only allows me to go to the grocery store and he times me and makes me brings his receipts so that he can tell if I kept change or cash. I don't go to movies or the mall or anywhere guys my age should be going. He gives me a daily chore list and he checks off the items every day. God forbid if I miss something. That is instant brutality. I have no friends and if I mention friends he goes ape-shit on me. He doesn't let me call Mom and Dad that often, and he monitors every call I make. I could go on and on about this Kevin because the nonstop abuse goes on every single day of my life. It a nightmare that won't end."

"He calls periodically throughout the day to check in on me. I can never be sure if he's following me or having me followed. He's jealous of me having friends or spending time with them. He has single handedly made himself the only person in my life. He's even abused me in public before and people have seen this. They've tried to help me, but what can I do. I feel so helpless."

He nodded but didn't speak. I knew he was waiting until I finished before he said anything.

"Kevin James has done everything from sexually assaulting me to pushing, choking, hitting, throwing things at me, and threatening me to kill me. Luckily I was already "out" and my family and friends were comfortable with that. Otherwise he would have tried to "out" me to everyone. He wouldn't allow me to go back to UW or go to work. He wanted to keep me a prisoner in our farce of a marriage. I mean, he puts me down in front of people or just let other people be mean to me and he doesn't do anything to protect or defend me. He tells me to shut up in front of other people and he exerts his authority in public so people can see that I'm his child. That's what I feel like, rather than his fucking husband."

He nodded again and continued to listen. He was panting and I knew he was pissed by what I was telling him. He contained his anger.

"Like this morning, he totally let some punk dis me when we went to eat and he didn't even do anything to defend me. Then when I got mad, he went off on me in front of him. He had been nice to me all week and then this morning he snapped. To make a long story short, I was crying in the car on the way here because I was upset by what happened in the restaurant. He whipped me in the car Kevin for crying. He literally spanked me and slapped me around for nothing. Then after he was finished, he made me go down on him, just like that."

"You're joking." He was astonished. "Jazz, what the fuck? What the...that's fucked up."

"That's what I'm saying. Then he tried to make up for and before we made to the house, he stopped us at Lickety's and made me go wash my face so that Mom wouldn't know what happened. When we got here, he was insulting me and just ragging on me so badly in the yard. I got tired of him and said something back to him. He jacked me up by my shirt and I pushed him off of me. That made him livid. He was pissed like an angry rattle snake. He slapped me so hard that I fell on the ground. He proceeded to kick me and punch me and smash my face in the ground."

"What! What the ...Jazz! I will kill that..." He tried to rise up, but I blocked him.

"Kevin! You promised!" He settled down a little when I grabbed his shirt. "Kevin. Please!"

He was boiling. He pounded his fists together. "Jazz I can't let him get away with doing that to you! Thats bullshit!"

I looked at him through wild eyes, pleading with him to honor his promise. "Please."

Though he had fire in his nostrils he settled down so I could finish.

"Kevin be chill okay," I begged. He was breathing hard. He rolled his eyes and balled up his lips but kept quiet.

I gave him a few seconds and continued. "He then dragged me into Ms. Amy's backyard..."

He was grinding his fists again. "Jazz..."

I kept going. "...behind the fence..."

He growled. "Where was everybody?" He asked.

"Dad was at work. Rosie was at school, and Mama had to run to the store. Ms. Amy wasn't home."

"Son of a..."

I swallowed and the tears flowed. "He beat me so bad Kevin." I sobbed. "He hurt me. He slung me around and threw me on some bricks." I started choking on my saliva. "Kevin, Kevin he took off his belt..."

Kevin jumped off the bed and startled me. I followed him as he grabbed a pillow and punched it. "That's straight bullshit! I ain't going for this...Ain't no way in hell I'm going for this shit!"

"Kevin, keep your voice down. Our Moms will hear you!"

"I don't give a fuck, Jazz!" He threw the pillow at the table knocking over the lamp. "This is fucked up!"

I stood there crying like a baby waiting for him to calm down. He just stood there watching me and I continued. "Kevin, he pulled my pants down and started hitting me with his belt...buckle and all..."

"Son of bitch."

"...he then kicked me in my butt with his shoe and in my head and neck and everywhere."

Kevin was so angry right then that his eyes welled with tears. He grabbed the back of his head and started pacing the room. "Jazz, I swear."

"Kevin, I know it's hard for you to hear this, but I need you to listen." He shook his head. "Kevin, James degraded me to the lowest level in that yard. He punked me and I let him because I'm so afraid of him...no terrified of him. He's violent and he hurt me so badly." I started crying so hard again. "Kevin, he...he..." My voice broke. "He made me perform sexual acts on him without my consent and called me every vile name he could think of."

"Jazz, James is going to get knocked the fuck out when his little sissy ass gets back here."

"Kevin..." He paused but was breathing real hard. "That's not all." He looked at me strange. "He threatened to let other men rape me while he watches."

His eyes almost popped out of his head. "WHAT THE FUCK JAZZ?" He yelled. I heard our mothers stop laughing when they heard him yelling.

"Kevin," I whispered, reaching out for him. "Please, please...you promised."

"Fuck that Jazz." He reached for his phone but I ran over to him and snatched it from him. He gave me a nasty look.

"Kevin, no, please."

He reached for his phone but I put it behind my back. "James is going to get knocked the fuck out, Jazz."

There was a knock on the door and we both looked at it but didn't answer it. "Is everything okay in there boys?" My mother asked.

"Yeah, Mom. We're good." I said, keeping my voice steady.

"Kevin, why are you yelling?" My mother asked.

"We're just talking Mama. We're good." He told her.

"I know y'all aren't in there fighting." She told him.

"No Ma'am." He said. "We're just talking, Mama."

"Alright, but y'all better not be in there fighting and I mean that."

"We're not." We both told her. They conceded and we finally heard them walking back down the stairs. Kevin and I just stood there looking at each other. I gave him his phone back and he just shook his head as he put it back in his pocket.

"Kevin, James threatened to take me away forever. He said once we leave, I'm never going to see you guys. Kevin, I think he means it. There's no way I can leave this house with him. Besides the fact that he's got a long list of things he's going to take his time beating me for, I won't get to see my family again."

"Well, that's an easy solution. You're not going with him." He asserted. "Ugh that sorry bitch ass bastard."

"Oh, Kevin. This is such a mess. Thank God he doesn't get drunk or high. Thank God for that!" I raised my hands in the air for emphasis. "There is no telling what cemetery I would be in by now. He controls what I eat and drink. How and when I exercise. Kevin he's taken my fight. I can't beat him if I tried. It's easier to just go along with what he wants, rather than make my own decisions. That saves me a lot of headache and butt whippings. He gets so annoyed so quickly. Like right now, I know with a doubt he is on pins and needles and thinking of ways to beat my ass for this."

"I won't let that happen." He said as-a-matter-of-factly. "I will lay his ass out Jazz."

"Kevin you don't understand." I grabbed my forehead. "He might not beat my ass in front of you guys, but tonight when we're in my room, he'll do what he pleases. I mean, even if he doesn't hit me, he'll start sex with me in my bed and make it as painful as possible as some kind of fucking silent punishment. He does that all the time. He has sex without my permission. For the rest of the night, I will have to find ways to get back in his good graces; to do things that he approves us just so he won't hurt me. I'm so scared Kevin. I'm scared to be left alone with him."

"I will stay here tonight, Jasper. We can sleep downstairs. I will insist on it."

"That's a good way to me killed, Kevin." His eyes widened. "Yes! I told you he was fucking crazy. He has a gun in the car and the keys in his pocket. He's already threatened to use it on me today."

"WHAT! The hell he will! I wish that mother fucker would!"

"Kevin! Focus." I grabbed his hand. "Earlier, today, he got upset because I told Miles he couldn't play a video game." His eyes widened at the mention of Miles' name. "Don't worry. He didn't touch him or anything like that, but he told Miles he could play the game after I told him he couldn't. Miles ended up getting in trouble with Mom and Dad. James tried to undermine me in front of Miles. I'm telling you Kevin, he doesn't want anyone to respect me or treat me like I'm somebody. He wants to control me and toss me around like a fucking rag doll!"

We both sat on the edge of the bed but I stood back up because it hurt to sit for too long. "He drug me upstairs to my room after that and started hurting me in my closet. The only reason he stopped was because Rosie came home. Before you got here, I was on the porch talking to Dad. Dad knows what's up. I haven't told him, but he knows. Trust me, Kev, he is ready to hand James his ass. He is pissed."

"Well that makes two of us. I will glad help Uncle JP stomp a mud hole in him."

I shook my head feeling so ashamed that other people had to even suggest fighting my battles for me. "Then there was that fiasco with that damn snake. If Dad hadn't talked James into going outside, he would have bashed my face in for being a punk."

He got up and came to stand in front of me. "I want out so badly, Kevin. I'm afraid for my life. I'm afraid for all of you guys. I don't know what James will do if I try to leave."

He held up his hand. "First of all, James isn't going to do anything to us. That's what he wants you to believe, little bro."

"Kev, you don't know him like I do. I believe he might try. He knows where my parents live. He knows Mom is here during the day. He might try to hurt her, or Aunt Felicia or one of the boys. What if he catches Dad with his back turned and shoots him or something. I mean Kevin; I just don't trust him like that."

"First of all Jazz, let's put this in the right perspective." He guided me to the bed again and stood in front of me while he talked. "James ain't gone do shit."

My eyes welled again. "I mean, James-"

"Fuck James." He interrupted. "James is a bitch…a B.I.T.C.H and he can go fuck himself. Now I don't know much about domestic violence, but I know enough to know that no one deserves to be abused, especially angels like you. You are worth more than he's reduced you to. I don't care what he has told you, you are important to a lot of people Jazzy and especially to me. Now, if you're really serious about leaving then we can talk about that, but I will not stand here even think about being afraid of his ass."

"I want to leave, Kevin." I said softly. "A week ago, after James whipped me for asking to go see a movie with my friend Paul from UW, I went to the hospital in Forks. James didn't know I went, and the doctor there was so kind. His name is Dr. Cullen, and he knew that I was being abused. He told me about a social worker there name Kate who specializes in domestic violence. I have her number memorized and I have been hesitant to call her. He told me that she would be able to help me."

"Maybe you should call her tonight." He offered. "I mean, after everything you just told me, there is no way in hell you are going back. I won't let you."

"Don't worry. I already made up my mind I wasn't going to go back. I just didn't want to say anything until after Rose's party because I know she put so much in it and I really don't know how he's going to react. I can't see him leaving me here without a fight."

He smirked. "Well, brother, if it's a fucking fight he wants, he's already got it. We'll be right there waiting for him."

"So you really think I should call Kate tonight?" I asked, unsure if I really should. "That's risky."

"Jasper, yes, I think you should. I mean, from what you have told me, it sounds like Jack Ass has reached his expiration date. His reign in your life is officially over." He said firmly. "I can't go back to New York without knowing you have at least made that first step to leave. I mean if you have to, you'll come back with me."

"Kevin, I don't-"

He raised his hand to silence me. "Jasper, you told me all of this because you want my help right?"

I nodded.

"Well, let me help you help yourself. This isn't your fight to fight alone, Jasper, but is indeed your fight. You have to be the one to make the choice to leave regardless of the consequences or dangers he wants you to believe will happen. You have to be the one that says, "I'm tired of being sick and tired. I need to get out of this mess."

I cried. "I know. I know."

He scooped me up from the bed and pulled me to his chest. "Well make that call."

We stood there silent for a moment and I realized that my Dad hadn't text. That let me to believe they could be out for as long as we needed them to be. He knew we would text when we were done. I had time to make the call to Kate.

"Jasper, like I said, I don't know much but I guess in many ways, domestic violence in lesbian, bisexual and gay relationships is the same as with straight couples, though I'm sure there are major differences as well. Like I said, no one deserves to be abused. James has abused you in every way imaginable. He has coerced, threatened and humiliated you. Enough is enough. He's not going to stop. He'll take you back to Forks and we may never see you again and the abuse will continue to be cyclical."

"I agree. James will be pissed and could potentially become dangerous if you leave. But Jazzy, after you talk to this Kate lady and she tells you her recommendation, we can talk to our parents on Sunday and get Uncle Reggie and his crew involved. James wouldn't be able to get to you if he tried. As a matter of fact, you might be able to get Uncle JP to press charges against him or something. Either way, you have to get out. The purpose of James' abuse is to maintain control and power over you. I'm sorry, little bro, but that is not going to stop. James has convinced you that this is your fault entirely and it's not."

I considered Kevin's words. I knew they were true, but I was so scared. James was all I knew. How would I go on? Where would I go? What would I become? I shook my head.

"God, Kevin, I'm so scared. What will I be without James? This wasn't how it was supposed to be. We were supposed to be in love. We should have been getting ready to start thinking about kids by now. He wasn't supposed to hurt me, Kevin! I trusted him! I gave him everything I had and then some, and what did he do? He took it and destroyed it! I'm so confused and messed up right now. I'm not sure if I can do it. I want to. I know I need to, but I'm scared of stepping out. "

He hugged me tightly. "Jasper, we will be here for you every step of the way. You are not alone. We will take it all one day at a time. The most important thing now is calling Kate and then we'll go from there. You…no we…have to start somewhere. " He pulled me gently from his chest and looked into my tear ravished eyes. "Do you still love James, Jasper?"

Big tears fell from my eyes and I shook my head. "No." My voice broke. "But I…" I covered my face with my hands and sobbed into them. He clasped my wrists and pulled them down. I shook my head and saliva pooled in my mouth again. "Kevin, I wanted my marriage to work." I sobbed. "I w-wanted it t-to w-work, Kevin. I n-never wanted it t-to be this way. I loved him s-so much. I did Kevin. I did."

He finally allowed his tears to fall as I bore my soul out to him. He pulled me to him again and we sank prostrate on the floor. He held me tightly as I sobbed bitterly and almost uncontrollably into his chest.

"I know you did, Jazzy. I know." He soothed me and held me as tightly as he possible could.

"It hurts, Kevin." I sobbed heavily. His shirt was soaked from my tears of release. "It hurts so badly. Go…od! Kevin it hurts. It hurts." I cried louder. He I heard him sniffling. "Kevin, my heart hurts. I-I…I can't…I don't…" Saliva joined the tears on his shirt as I secured my release.

"Let it go, Jazzy." He comforted. "I'm here. I'll always be here." When he said that, I cried even harder. My shoulders began shaking from crying. He wrapped me in pure, brotherly love. He pushed out all space between us and drew me tightly against his strong chest, where I continued to bawl. He held me firmly without speaking and in turn I wrung his shirt in my fist and soaked it as I literally tried to bury my face in his heart. I need this…this love, this warmth and security…this protection. I needed my friend and my brother to help make everything in my world right again.

I started coughing when I got strangled on thick mucus in my throat. My eyes hurt so badly it felt like they would shrink in my head from fatigue. I cried for several more minutes and the only friend I had in the world held me like a tiny baby until I calmed down.

I sniffled. "Kevin, he promised to love me forever. He made so many promises that he never kept. He told me that he wanted me and that I was the one for him. He said he would never leave and that he would always take care of me. How could he hate me so much? Why? What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing, Jazzy. You haven't done anything wrong." He stroked my hair.

"Maybe I should have been a better husband. I should have done more to please him. I should have tried to be what he needed. It's my fault. If I had just listened to him and tried-"

He pulled me back so we could see each other's faces. "Jasper, don't do that."

I shook my head. "It's the truth."

He shook his. "Don't you dare blame yourself for James' violence against you. You have given that man more than he deserves. Don't let him force you to take ownership of his mess."

I shook my head not knowing what to say at that point.

"Jasper, look at me." He raised my chin. Our faces were mere inches apart. "Jasper, you have so much more to give and some man is going to fall madly in love with you someday and treat you like the prince you are. He's going to love you so much and you guys are going to get married and have a real wedding. He will be a part of this family and we'll love him just as we love you. You guys will have a bunch of little Jaspers running around everywhere, and they will get to wear t-shirts that says, "My Uncle is the greatest and by the way he can kick your ass any day!"

I gave him a little smile. I could so see that happening with him and my children.

"Hell, if I were a gay man, I would be that man."

I couldn't help but laugh a little at that. Kevin ..gay? I laughed again.

"What?" He asked. "You don't think I could be in love with you if I were gay?"

I chuckled softly and wiped my eyes. "No, because first of all you're my brother and that's just incestuous and nasty, and second of all I can't imagine you gay." I paused and we smiled and bumped foreheads. "I guess you're right though." I sniffled. "If, and I do mean if, you were gay, I would probably be in love with you too, but I don't think sleeping with your brother is allowed in this state."

He laughed and pulled my head to rest on his chest. I squeezed him tightly again. "I love you Jasper. You will always be my little brother and I will always have your back."

"Thank you." I murmured against him. "I love you too."

He pulled me back again. "You ready to make that call?"

I pressed my lips together, dropped a few more tears, and nodded my affirmation to his question.

"Yes."

A/N: Well there you have it. Jasper finally told someone he trusts about the abuse. I love his friend Kevin for not being judgmental, but for showing him strong support. I love that Jasper has made the decision to call Kate, which is what we will see coming in next chapter and what she recommends. Jasper has a long way to go, and he's hurting. I love it when Kevin gave Jasper a little bit of foreshadowing there. Jasper is definitely going to meet someone who will do everything Kevin said. I can't wait to see what Jaspward's little cuties look like.

Score more points for the Dads for stalling and getting James from the house. Score for Moms for staying put and giving the boys a chance to talk. Score for Kevin for being a bestie out of this world. Thank you again for reading and please get involved with your local domestic violence center. You can help. You can make decision.

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