Christian (The Mitchell/Healy Family #3)(20)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“What the hell? I didn’t rape you. Don’t even go there. Don’t you dare fucking tell that to anyone.”

“Why, it’s the truth? You held me down and forced yourself on me over and over again.” I was crying through my words, struggling the whole time.

“You little cunt. Nobody will believe you, do you hear me? They’d never believe I could do that to someone, besides, good luck trying to prove that when everyone around you knows we fucked. You were ready and willing, baby. They all saw you.”

I was so angry that if I had a pole I’d beat him with it. “If you don’t leave I’m callin’ nine-one-one. You have two seconds to get out.”

I heard footsteps and then the front door slamming shut. When I knew I was home alone again, I opened my door and went out to the front to lock the deadbolt. My roommates had keys so they’d be able to get in.

I spent the rest of the night locked in my room while the people I lived with went about their evening as if nothing terrible had happened. I wasn’t even positive that they were aware I was home. Not one of them checked on me.

I picked up my phone to call my parents a few times, losing my nerve at the last second. When it got dark outside Ethan started blowing up my cell. I ended up turning it off so that I wouldn’t have to hear it anymore. I knew none of this was his fault, but somehow I felt that if he hadn’t overreacted I never would have been out on the street alone. I think I was so desperate to put the blame on anyone but myself.

After hours of being a hermit, I walked out into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Amber sat at the counter sipping on a bottle of soda. Her eyebrows rose when I entered the room. “Hey, girl. What’s new?” She asked.

I shrugged and grabbed a glass, holding it under the running faucet. Since I couldn’t exactly explain my situation I chose to lie. “Nothin’.”

“How did it go with Seth? I heard he took you to the movies.” Was she insane? He wasn’t great. He was the devil.

“I won’t be seein’ him anymore if that’s what you’re wonderin’.”

“Why? Don’t tell me it’s because of Mila. She’s such a bitch.” Even though I wanted to go back to my quiet room, I knew she wasn’t at fault. Amber was a nice person, and I could use a friend once all of this mess was resolved.

“She’s part of it. Can you believe that she followed us to the movies and confronted me in the bathroom?” I had to keep the blame on this girl until I could figure out what I was going to do. I didn’t want too many people talking to Seth if I was going to go to the police with his assault on me. This type of situation required me to be especially careful. Either direction I took could ruin my life worse than it already was.

“I’m sorry. She did that when we went out once. I’m glad she did though. I don’t have room in my life for guys like him.”

“Yeah,” I was losing my patience. Seth was the last person on earth I wanted to discuss, and hearing her talk about him made me cringe. “I need to get back to my studies. I’ll see you later, Amber.”

She clutched my arm as I tried to walk by. It hurt and I pulled back, grabbing it.

“Are you alright?”

“I fell when I was out last night. I tripped over a curb,” I lied.

“Was Seth with you?” She inquired.

“Look, I don’t want to talk about Seth, okay? If I never saw him it would be too soon. He’s a drunk, and I know you think he’s great, but he’s not.”

I stormed in my room leaving her to assume whatever she wanted. Just hearing his name was causing me to lose my shit. There was no way I’d be able to go to class in the morning knowing he was sitting only feet behind me.

I spent the next couple of hours researching sexual assault on the computer, wondering if I even had means to go to the authorities. Sure, he’d taken me to an abandoned building and had his way, but just hours before I’d given him oral in a movie theater. I’d already given him my body earlier in the day. If this was some kind of sick fetish I didn’t want any part of it. Not to mention that telling anyone this happened to me would make me look like a trouble maker. Seth was on a scholarship, he’d lose everything. As much as I hated the fucker, I was unsure of what I wanted to do. The idea of my parents finding out made my skin crawl. They’d never look at me as being the daughter they were proud of again.

Then there was Ethan.

Not only did I walk away from our friendship, but I knew he’d never be able to see me the same. This was devastating, and the more time I gave myself to think about it, the more confused I became. I needed help and advice, or someone that could help me through this terrible time. The problem was that I didn’t have anyone that I could turn to. It was yet another reminder of what I was lacking in my life.

Since I knew I wouldn’t be going to class in the morning I decided to drive back to the ranch. My grandmother’s mansion had a whole wing that nobody used. Until I could calm down and make important decisions I needed to hide out there.

After the drive that seemed to take forever I pulled through the main entrance to my family’s ranch. Thankfully I didn’t see any sign of either of my parents, or my brother. I wasn’t that fortunate when I stepped inside the house and saw Shalan and my Gram standing at the kitchen counter.

“Christian, what are you doing here?” Gram asked.

“I’m, um…I’m havin’ a tough day. I was hopin’ I could sleep here tonight to clear my head.”

“Is everything alright, love?” I appreciated her concern, but she couldn’t help me.

“I’ll be fine, Gram. I’m just goin’ to head up to one of the rooms and lay down. I’ll see you in the mornin’.”

After making my announcement I walked out of the room, realizing that I hadn’t said anything to my soon-to-be sister-in-law. In the morning I’ll get up the courage to call her and apologize. What I needed was to relax and get my mind on track.

The first thing I did was get into the large soaking tub. I filled it with boiling hot water, hoping it would rid me of the dirty feeling I couldn’t seem to wash off.

When I retreated back to the bedroom and plopped down on the large fluffy bed it felt nice. This wasn’t like being back at college in my room. This was serenity, and exactly the kind of solitude I needed in my current situation. I was safe, loved, and going to get through this, no matter what I had to do.