Chapitre 19: Chapter 19
Pain shoots through my scalp as I'm pulled off the floor. My father's hand has a tight grip on a bundle of my hair.
He starts to pull harder, to make me stand or to drag me I'm not really sure, causing a high pitched cry to escape my lips. I press my hands to the top of my head, hoping to lessen the pain from my father's attack. I taste blood as I bite my lip to avoid screaming. In my experience, screaming doe nothing but make it worse.
He tosses me in front of him, stumbling as he lets go. I collapse onto the floor, my cheeks hot and itchy from tears. My arms are weak and shaky but I try to crawl away from him, I don't get far before he throws one of the empty bottles at the wall. I raise my hand over my head as the pieces of glass fly everywhere.
"Where the hell have you been? You think you can just leave?" He yells, his voice booming through me. I flinch, "Pathetic," He spits out before stumbling back into his office with another half empty bottle.
I don't move, instead I wait. I hold my breath until I'm sure he's not coming back. Moving sloppily, I crawl to grab my stuff from the floor and shuffle to my room. Once I reach my room and have closed the door, I collapse into sobs. I can feel my head throbbing, my cheek stings. I have a small cut on my hand from the glass. My shaking intensifies.
All things considered, this was probably one of the better times with my dad when he's drunk. All things considered, I got lucky this time. Yet it never feels that way. I know the more he drinks the worse it will get.
I make my way to my closet, pulling out a beat up old duffel bag from when I was younger and would actually go to sleepovers. I shove a couple pairs of clothes, some pajamas, some blankets and my toiletries in the bag, while my phone charger and other small necessities go in my backpack.
I stare at my window, weighing my options. The later into the night, the more he'll drink, the meaner he'll be. I really consider sleeping in my car tonight even though I know Jordan wouldn't approve. Should I call him? He didn't answer last time, why would he now? Besides what would I say? He'd probably try to drag me back to his house with no regard of if his parents are there or not.
I grab my bags and open my window quietly. It's cold out tonight, not surprising as winter is starting. I don't know if the blankets I grabbed will be enough. I also don't know where I'll shower.
I sob some more as I start to lower my bag out the window. Tonight is going to suck, but I don't want to risk another run in with my dad. I drop my backpack out the window and start to climb out.
Leaves and twigs crunch under my feet. I cringe at the noise, hesitating only a moment before I run back around the house to my truck. Thankfully with the new battery it's easier to get the truck going.
Carefully I open my driver door and climb in with my bags. I try to put the keys in the ignition but my hands shake. After a few tries I get the keys in and start my truck, not waiting to take off down the road. I nearly swerve off the road when I jump at the sound of my phone rings. I pull over an the curb and dig it out.
I take a deep shaking, breath in an attempt to regain my composure before picking up the phone, "Hello?"
"What happened? Are you alright?" Jordan's voice is vibrating with anger, "I swear to god if he hurt you..."
"I'm alright," I lie, "I'm sorry I upset you... I didn't mean--"
"Rhea, you sounded terrified. You said he was drinking again. I'm coming to get you, there's no way to promise me that he won't hurt you tonight."
I feel tears stinging in my eyes again, "Jordan..." I sob.
He's silent for a moment and then let's out a defeated sigh, "He did hurt you, didn't he?"
"It's nothing, really," I start sniffling, "It could have been far, far worse."
"It doesn't make it ok, please let me come and get you."
"And then what? Your parents are home, and unless that's how you want me to meet them..."
"I can't just leave you to the wolves!" He snaps back.
"Jordan please, I'll be ok tonight, I'll see you tomorrow ok?"
"Rhea," His voice is low an whining, he's begging, "Please let me help. Please."
I bite my lip as I stare at the road ahead of me. I'm not sure what to do. I don't know if there's anything I can do.
"I'll be at the library in twenty minutes," I mutter as I turn onto the road to town.
"Alright," He says, stoically, "I'll be there."
I hang up the phone, letting small sobs break past my lips. Tonight was supposed to be good. My life was supposed to be good. I don't know why this had to happen to my family.
I drive in silence. Not even music will be able to help right now, and I'm too drained of energy to try. I don't know what I'm going to say to Jordan, or how he thinks he can fix this, but I don't want to even bother arguing and I know he cares. I'm just so... Tired.
I park in front of the library and let my heater run for a bit, accepting the warm heat. My head still hurts, but my cheek has numbed to the pain. It's probably still red, maybe I can blame that on the cold.
I release a deep yawn I didn't know I was keeping in. Feeling my adrenaline die off I start to feel drowsy. I pull out one of the blankets and recline my seat back a little. I'm sure Jordan won't mind me closing my eyes for a bit, just until he gets here.
It's so quiet, and peaceful. My eyes start getting heavy as I start to drift off to sleep. I try to force them open but after letting them close once, it's hard to fight.
I'm finally pulled from my dozing state by a tap on my window. I take in the sight of Jordan standing outside my door while I sit up. I roll down the window.
"Do you think you're sleeping here?" He asks, looking appalled.
"Got any better ideas, I'm exhausted and I can't stay there. He'll only get worse."
He smacks the side of my truck, making me jump, "Damn it! I should have been able to find a solution for you guys, you don't have to live like this."
"Jordan... Please calm down."
He runs his hand through his hair and looks at me. His face softens as his shoulders drop, "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so... I just want to be able to do something. Anything."
"I know," I smile.
"Let me put you up somewhere for the night? Just tonight, so you can rest and recover, get some good sleep and good food," He reaches his hand through the window to touch my cheek. I flinch.
"Jordan, I don't want you always spending money on me. Always doting on me, I'm not that girl. I don't know what to do when someone acts this kindly, and I don't want to eventually meet your parents and have them think I'm a gold digger."
"You're not, I would never let them think that. I just want you safe, and cared for. I just don't want you in your truck all night with no way of protecting yourself. Please let me get you a room somewhere?"
"Where, most places require you to be eighteen. Neither of us can get a hotel room," I lay my head back in defeat. I watch him turn red with embarrassment.
"I know a place that's willing to look the other way," He doesn't look at me. It takes me a moment to realize how he would know that.
"Oh..." I feel really stupid, I'm sure he's had other girlfriends, or hookups. I shouldn't be surprised.
"Rhea, can I take you there?" He slowly looks up and into my eyes. He looks sincere and concerned.
I try to let go of my newfound knowledge of Jordan's past and nod, "Just tonight," I clarify.
"Just tonight," He smiles as he opens my truck door.
I hand him my bags as I wrap myself with the blanket. Shuffling over to his car I feel him watching me. I ignore it, feeling dumb and naïve for thinking that this was a new thing for both of us. I climb into the passenger seat, and my thoughts start swirling. How many other girls have sat here late at night? How well does he know this hotel? How many others were there?
He climbs into the drivers seat next to me. He stays silent as he puts my bags in the back. He turns on the car, pressing a few buttons before taking off down the street. I feel the heater start running, and my seat starts to feel warm. My surprise is short lived as I let the warmth soothe me.
I close my eyes as feel his hand run over my head, over where my father pulled my hair. He's gentle, clearly aware of what happened. Looking in the rear view mirror, I see my hair is still a tousled mess from the attack. Embarrassment fills me as he gently smooths my hair.
"How badly did he hurt you?"
I look over to Jordan, he's trying to hide his anger, but I can see the way his lips are pulled back into his mouth. He's trying to hold it in.
"Like I said before, it could have been worse. I can take it," I start pulling my fingers again.
"What did he do Rhea?" He asks very sternly.
I look down, suddenly uncomfortable, "He slapped me, and dragged me across the room by my hair. He threw a bottle at me..."
Jordan takes in a deep breath and bites the inside of his cheek, "I swear to god, if I get my hands on him--"
"Please stop," I quietly beg.
He goes silent. We stay silent all the way to the hotel. It's not a bad hotel, but it certainly isn't high end. I watch Jordan talk to the guy at the desk, who wears a nice button up and slacks. He looks me up and down while Jordan talks. I watch Jordan slip him four twenty dollar bills before taking a key card and my bags.
"Come on," He says, nodding his head towards the elevator, "Let's get you settled for the night."
I follow close behind, feeling the desk clerks eyes on me the whole way. I sigh with relief when the elevator doors close.
I feel my anxiety bubble up inside me. Before I can stop myself I'm talking.
"How often do you come here?" I blurt out.
If Jordan is surprised, he doesn't show it, "Not often, once every now and again. I've only ever gotten a room like four times."
He says it like its no big deal. I feel my face get hot, "What were you coming here for?"
He looks at the floor, "Rhea... Let's not do this tonight, I want to focus on you right now."
"And I want to know, I feel like I need to," I look up at him, desperate.
With a sigh he looks at me, "I came here meeting up with a few girls, I would meet them at parties. I came here for a party, learned they can be bribed and starting screwing around with it. It was fun for a while but I just... I didn't feel anything."
"How many girls?"
"Two, they aren't from here. I never saw either again, not that it mattered," I nod as he speaks, he puts down my bag and places his hand on my shoulder, "Don't assume this is that. I love you, I'm not bringing you here for a hookup. I'm bringing you here because I can't stand the thought of something happening to you."
I look away as the elevator opens. Jordan leads me down the hall and into a room. Silently he helps me get out everything I need for the night. He orders me dinner with room service and kisses me goodnight.
"Are we... Still on for tomorrow?" He asks, holding my arms gently, looking down at me. His head is tilted, trying to get a look at my face. I nod, "I'll pick you up here, ok? Eat, get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."
Hesitantly he lets go of me and leaves. I'm left alone. I lay on the bed and stare at the ceiling.
I'm so fucking tired.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone