So I held my head up, brushed off the guys’ concerns, and walked into that locker room with a fake confidence worthy of an oscar.
I grabbed my backpack from my locker and walked past them all, ignoring the names called out at me, mainly a mix of ‘whore’, ‘bitch’ and ‘slut’, but there were some imaginative variations too. I just let them all roll off of me, refusing to rise to it. When it was all said and done, I got to go home to four amazing men who loved me for who and what I was. I doubted any of those girls cussing me out, could say that, so in my eyes, I was the winner.
By the time I changed, slowed down by my aching body, most of the bitchy girls had cleared out, but May lingered with two of her lookalikes at her side. As soon as I stepped out of the cubicle she was moving toward me, menace in her eyes.
“Just who the fuck do you think you are?” She hissed angrily.
“Matt and Cole’s girlfriend. Did you not get that yet?” I retorted, knowing I was pissing her off, but uncaring.
“We know your story, know you’re that kid who went missing. Some sick pedo’s play thing for over eight years, I heard.” That definitely knocked me, but I hid my reaction and kept my face impassive. I had learnt a long time ago, in The Darkness, to hide my emotions in order to protect myself. “Do the guys know you’re damaged goods?”
“You know what, I am damaged! You’re right, all fucked up and broken, and yet, Cole still chose me over you May. What does that tell you?” That pissed her off, she lunged for me, ready to grab my arm, but thankfully I had trained with Kyle to slip the grab, and drop the attacker, which I did perfectly, May going down hard onto her front with a squeal before she knew what was happening. I crouched down in front of her as she sat up and tried hard to channel all of the crazy I had witnessed in my life.
“You were right about one thing. I spent eight years in Hell, and you have no idea how ‘damaged’ I am. You ever try to touch me, or go near Cole again, and I’ll show you.” I looked from her to her friends with warning, then stood and walked out, not a word spoken behind me. Yep, my crazy definitely worked to my advantage there.
Cole and Matt were leant against the wall opposite, waiting on me. They looked stressed and worried, but both forced a smile for me as I walked out.
“You ok, Beautiful?” Cole asked as they both took one of my hands.
“It’s been a really long day, and my head feels like someone cracked it with a jack hammer. Please just take me home?” I begged.
“Your head? From those hits in dodgeball?” Matt asked, his anger spiking again.
“They didn’t help, but I already had a bad headache.”
“What happened? Why were the girls gunning for you like that?” Cole growled, clearly mad too.
“Can we talk about it later? Talking hurts my head.”
“Of course, Cariña. Let’s just get you home.” Matt ushered me over to the truck and helped me into the back. I put on my seat belt, then laid down on the seat, curling up as much as the belt would allow.
“Here babe, put your head on this.” Cole said, passing me his neatly folded coat. He always took it off when he was driving. I took it gratefully and made a pillow, then curled up again and closed my eyes tight, closing out all of the light, which just made my head throb more. It was so nice to know we were going home. All I could think about was being in Kyle and Kade’s arms.
CHAPTER 16
KYLE
I stood at the window in the lounge, pacing up and down before it, anxiously waiting for the guys to arrive home with Liv. I had been a wreck all day if I was honest, terrified at the thought of her being somewhere so open and vulnerable, her kidnapper was out there somewhere. Yes, it seemed he had a new victim, whom I was working hard to find, but it didn't mean he wouldn’t still try to get Liv back too. She knew who he was, knew his face, so she was a threat to him, and that terrified me. I needed to do all I could to keep her safe, and that meant I wanted her home, and secure.
But Xander had explained that for her emotional stability she needed routine, and to be busy, so school was a must for her. It didn’t mean I liked her going, especially when she was so reluctant, but I knew we had to keep her from breaking as she had on Christmas day. Seeing her as she had been that day, just so completely lost; it had cemented our need to do more to help her through what she had suffered, to push for the therapy sessions and encourage her to try.
We did all we could to keep her busy, and maintain some routine. I trained with her most days for an hour, and would continue to do so in the evenings now she was at school. Matt cooked with her as his helper every night, and she was learning quickly with him and finding a new hobby in baking.
The main thing that seemed to be working, was the therapy sessions she did twice a week in the city. We had seen a big change in her mood swings even after just two sessions. She was better able to take control before anger took over and that reassured all of us there was hope she could overcome much more, in time.
Her piano helped too, she played it a lot in her spare time, and it seemed to transport her away to somewhere peaceful every
