Chapter Seven
Jade
My whole body hurt. I didn’t think I’d ever been in this much pain before. I forced my eyes open to a white bright light but they barely moved. A sob rocked me and I fought to keep my tears contained. They wouldn’t help me. They never did. My head pounded and my body wouldn’t move. Moaning, I felt a heavy weight on my arm and I knew the feeling, it was a cast.
A face leaned over me. I couldn’t see any features. “Miss Black, you’re awake. Do you know where you are?”
I cleared my dry throat. “Hospital,” I rasped.
“Yes, you’re in recovery at Reed Creek Memorial Hospital. What is your pain at the moment? One being none at all to ten being extreme.”
“Hundred.” I was more than ten I knew.
“I will go get you some pain relief and tell the doctor you’re awake and we’ll look into getting you to a room.”
I didn’t say anything. I was in too much pain. I moaned, and closed my eyes again.
*****
I came in and out of consciousness a lot. I don’t remember much but pain. When I came to and my eyes finally opened enough for me to see, I let the tears fall and gave over to the despair.
“Little bit, are you in pain? Do you want me to get the nurse?”
I sobbed harder as soon as I heard his voice. “You’re here? Now you can see me for what I am…trash.”
“You are anything but, you’re my treasure. And I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Jade.”
I cried harder, because I didn’t want Stephan to ever see this side of my life. It was bad enough he was seeing me beaten and broken. “I don’t want you to see me like this.”
“What? Why?”
“I look terrible. Now you can see with your own two eyes how bad I am for you.” My heart broke he was seeing me like this. I bet the police were called. I’d be moved to foster care. At least I wouldn’t get hurt any worse from Stephan if they moved me.
“You are beautiful to me.” He stroked my cheek, which made me cry harder.
“I’m so sorry. So, so, sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing? You have no reason to apologize.”
“Yes, yes I do. Not only am I sorry you saw me like this, but I’m sorry for leaving you.”
“What? You’re not making any sense. You didn’t leave me.”
“I’m going to. DoCS will take me. I won’t be able to be with you if I’m living so far away. You won’t want to be with me after this.”
“You’re not going anywhere, I promise. Even if you did, I would follow. I will always want to be with you.” He stroked my cheek and I leaned into his touch, basking in his comfort.
*****
I was going crazy. Stephan wouldn’t leave me alone. I’d been stuck in the hospital for five days. The police had come and questioned me. I couldn’t tell them anything besides the obvious of what Grandpa had done to me. I found out on the second day Grandpa had been arrested and would be going to jail for a long time. They’d gotten a warrant, searched the apartment and pub, and found all his drugs. He wasn’t even given bail. I’d never be going back to him. The police came to see me again and told me they would have more questions when they were ready. I cried for hours after I found out, not because I loved my grandpa or because I wanted to live with him. I cried because one door had closed for me. I now had no known family. I was now a State problem to deal with until I turned eighteen. I cried because I knew I’d be moved. I’d lose all my new friends and any chance I had with Stephan.
On the third day I was told who my new guardians were and I was pissed. “What the hell, Stephan. I have been worrying and upset over leaving all my new friends here and starting over again and you didn’t think to tell me your fucking parents have custody. I cried and wailed over it all and you never said anything.” Right then I wished he was closer and sitting next to my good hand so I could punch him.
The wanker shrugged. “I told you, you weren’t going anywhere. I told you I wouldn’t let you.”
“Argh, I didn’t think it meant me coming to live with you. How on Earth did your parents get custody? Do they have a foster care license?”
“Nope. They know a lot of people. Plus did you know your grandfather signed a document giving them custody?”
“No because no one told me.”
“I’m telling you now.”
“Grr, you drive me crazy. You know that right?”
The wanker shrugged again.
That was two days ago. Right now I was about ready to kill him. I was meeting his parents for the first time. They’d thought to give me time to recover a little before they introduced themselves. I was grateful. Supposedly I had met Stephan’s father, but I didn’t remember. The last thing I remembered from the other night was running from my grandpa.
Tomorrow, if all was still going well, they were releasing me. I wanted to get up and shower, the nurse had put a bag over my cast and I had waterproof dressings over the stitches on my legs. I’d been given a walking frame to help me get to the bathroom and to stay standing. My body was still battered and bruised. It hurt like a mother to walk and I’d only done it when Stephan wasn’t around to carry me.
Now I wanted to have my first shower, so I wouldn’t smell when I met his parents. I’d gotten a sponge bath from the nurses and they’d made Stephan leave, but he was refusing to leave now.
“No way, I’m not going. You need me in case you fall in the shower.”
“There is a nurse call button if that happens, and I won’t fall cos I have the walker.”
“I said no.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
I eased off the bed and grabbed the walker. He took it from me and lifted me into his arms. “Put me down now, Stephan. I can walk to the shower.”
“No. You can’t walk to the shower or stand for that long. You either walk to the shower and I stand watching you in the shower, making sure you don’t fall, or you let me carry you and I wait with the curtain closed.”
“Argh, I hate you.”
“No you don’t.”
He was right, but I’d never admit it to him. I looked over at the nurse’s button, wondering how long they would take to come if I pressed it. They’d help me get him out.
“Don’t even think about it. I’m taking you to the shower. I’ve already put clean underwear, a nighty, and other girly stuff Mum thought you’d need.”
“Ah, what a sweet thing to do.”
Stephan shook his head. “She’s sweet? And me who’s been looking after you isn’t?”
“Your mum isn’t pissing me off now by taking over and being bossy. I bet she’d listen if I told her I could walk to the bathroom and shower on my own.”
“I bet she would, but I’m not my mother. So tough luck for you.” He walked with me in his arms to the bathroom, sitting me on a seat he’d placed in there. I rolled my eyes heavenward praying for patience. He turned on the shower taps fiddling with them. “Okay. It should be perfect temperature now.”
I raised my eyebrow, because really, I could get my own water to the temperature I wanted. Stephan stared at me and I glared back. I crossed my arms over my chest, which was hard to do with a cast, and gave my best death stare. I wasn’t taking my gown off until he left. No way was he seeing me naked…er again.
“Do you need me to help you undress?”
“No. Get out.” He didn’t move so I stood, hobbling toward him. “Out now, Stephan, or so help me God I will kill you.”
The wanker smiled. “Okay, little bit, I’ll be out the door. Call me when you get in the shower.”
Ha, I wasn’t going to call him. He left and shut the door and locked it, grinning at my win.
Stripping out of my hospital gown and underwear was a workout. I slowly made my way back to the running water and eased under it, wincing when it hit my still tender flesh. I was glad Stephan wasn’t in the bathroom. He would have freaked when I’d winced and taken me out. He’d become more overbearing than ever. I told myself over and over he was looking after me, but today it wasn’t helping.
At the side I noticed a pink overnight bag. Opening it I saw everything I could ever need. The bag was stuffed full of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face scrub, bunch of creams, a new toothbrush, and toothpaste. She’d even added a small sewing kit, and a miniature manicure set. I stayed in the shower for as long as I could and used most of my new things.
I sighed and got out when I heard, “I’m coming in now if you don’t answer me. I’ll break the fucking door if I have to.”
Turning off the shower, I wrapped the towel around me and yelled, “I’m fine. Stay calm and don’t even think of coming in here.”
When I didn’t hear anything back I dried myself and went to over to a very expensive looking pink and black suitcase. I opened it and groaned, if it was all very girly. I was a jeans and t-shirt girl, sometimes I wore a skirt and heels, but these, were, well they were something. They were all in my size and every piece was name brand. I picked out pink panties. The matching bra was nice but I knew with my cast I’d never get it on, well not while I was still bruised and in pain. Rummaging through I found a bunch of silk and satin PJs. Picking out the one that covered the most, I put the top on and the pants using the seat to help my balance.
Taking a deep calming breath, I hobbled to the door, gritting my teeth as the pain in my legs made themselves known, and I opened the door. I stood still because I knew if Stephan saw me move he’d flip.
He gave me a slow appraisal. “You look cute.”
I knew I still looked like shit, all purple, black, and yellow, but I had to pick my fights so there was no point in arguing. “Thanks. It’s nice of your mum to lend me her clothes.”
“Oh she didn’t lend you anything. She bought you everything and had them washed and ready for you.”
“What? You’re joking, right? She can’t have. She would have spent a fortune. They’re all big name brands.”
He shrugged. “She did. Everything is yours, even the suitcase.” He came to me, picked me up, and wrapped my good arm around him. “She’s excited. Silly thing even painted a bedroom suite for you. I told her you were staying in my room with me.”
“I am not.”
He kissed my forehead. “Yeah, little bit, you are.”
Stephan sat me on the bed and I glared at him. “I most assuredly am not.”
He chuckled. “Uh-huh, you can think that, but you’re going to get a shock tomorrow to see your things in my room, which is now our room.”
“I really hate you.”
“No, you really don’t.”
“Argh, stop telling me how I feel.”
Laughter had me glancing at the door to see a couple in their late forties, standing watching. I felt heat rise on my cheeks in embarrassment as I realized the couple were Stephan’s parents. “Oh God kill me now,” I whispered.
A huge smile spread across Stephan’s face and I sighed. Damn dimples. His parents laughed and I wanted to bury myself in the covers and hide.
They came further into the room and I could see where Derick and Stephan got their looks. Stephan’s mother was gorgeous, she had long blonde hair, big brown eyes with super long lashes, big thick lips, and a stunning curvy body. Stephan’s father was his clone or he was his, jet-black hair, deep ocean blue eyes and strong masculine features. When I looked at him he smiled and dimples popped on two cheeks. Damn. Who knew an old man could be hot.
Stephan growled and my gazed darted to him. “Stop checking out my dad.”
“I’m not. Well, I am but it’s just he’s your clone or…um …I mean you’re his errr clone.”
Stephan’s parents were cracking up with laughter now. I sank lower into the bed praying I’d turn invisible.
“I love her, Stephan. Isn’t she just adorable?” his mother said. What the hell? I was a lot of things, but adorable wasn’t one.
“Yes, dear, she’s perfect for Stephan.” His father patted Stephan’s mother’s hand.
Stephan’s mother came forward to the bed. “Hi, Jade. I’m Evelin Silverman. And the clone behind me is Lucas Silverman. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I just wish it was under better circumstances.”
“Um…nice to meet you too.” I chewed on my bottom lip. “Thanks so much for all your help. I’ll never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done for me.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. Crap. I couldn’t stop them.
“Sweetheart, it was our pleasure. You’re a part of the family now.” Evelin picked up my good hand and kissed it. She brushed hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. “I heard some good news, you get to come home tomorrow if the doctor gives the go-ahead in the morning.”
“Yeah, about that…” I wanted to make sure they didn’t feel any obligation to help me. I could look after myself. “If it’s a problem me coming and staying with you, I’m sure I can find somewhere else to stay. I’ve looked after myself for almost seventeen years.”
Lucas came next to Evelin and patted my hand. “Don’t be silly. You would have come and lived with us sooner or later. If Stephan had his way, he would have had you living with us the day he meet you. I had Evelin in my house twenty-four hours after meeting her. It would have been sooner if she didn’t waste time arguing for those twenty-four hours. You women seem to think you know what’s best for you.” He shook his head like it was shame we were stupid.
I giggled when Evelin hit Lucas. “We do know you jerk.”
Lucas raised his hands in surrender and winked at me. A huge weight I didn’t know had been holding me down lifted, and I felt hope things could work.
*****
He was dreaming if he thought I’d be moving into his room. Standing at the entrance to his room I shook my head. “I don’t care what you think. I’m not sleeping in your room with you.”
“Fine. We’ll sleep in another room.”
“No. We won’t be sleeping in the same room at all.” I slowly walked toward the stairs only to be lifted up and brought against a hard chest.
“Are you trying to hurt yourself? You’ve just come back from hospital and were about to attempt to go downstairs. Jade, the backs of your legs are covered in stitches.”
Was he for real? I know I have over thirty stitches in my legs. The muscles in my calves pulled every time I walked. “You don’t think I bloody know? The only reason I was going to go downstairs was so I could get away from you, find your mother, and see if she could talk some sense into you.” I was yelling now, but didn’t care. I probably sounded like the brat my grandpa accused me of but again, I didn’t care, I was grateful for everything Stephan had done but he was suffocating me.
“Mum doesn’t need to talk sense into me. You need to listen and stop arguing.”
My anger was rising and I struggled in his arms but he just held me tighter. Stephan carried me down the stairs and still didn’t let me go when we reached the bottom.
“I can walk now.” I wiggled to get out of Stephan’s hold.
“I know. I like you in my arms though.” He walked to the games room were his mum sat on the sofa with an eReader.
Evelin glanced up and smiled. “How are you settling in?”
Stephan placed me on the sofa next to Evelin. “Good thanks. I would be doing even better if you would tell your son I’m not staying in his room.”
Evelin raised one dainty eyebrow in question to her son. Stephan crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me. I rolled my eyes heavenward praying for patience. Evelin sighed. “Stephan, I did the room up right next door to yours. I really think you should let Jade stay in there. You won’t be far from her and you’ll see her every day.”
“Mum, she belongs with me.”
I chewed on my lip and looked to Evelin hoping she wasn’t going to fall for his crap. Evelin stared at me for a while and she must have seen something because she cleared her throat and stood so she was almost toe-to-toe with her son. “Stephan, I won’t ask you again, I’ll tell you. Jade is staying in the room I did up for her. When Jade chooses, she can move into your room.”
I felt like doing a fist pump and sticking my tongue out at Stephan, but the stare he sent my way had me sinking into the sofa and quietly enjoying my victory. I liked Evelin. She was my ally and I felt bad for using her but I intended to use her as much as I could. Stephan was just too tempting and hard to fight.
*****
Stephan
“She never friggin' listens, Dad. I swear I’m going to strangle her.”
My dad chuckled and patted me on the back. “Give her space, boy. She’s been home for three days and you’ve done nothing but hover.”
“Do you know she told me she was going to school on Monday? She chucked a fit that I have missed over a week of school. Of course I wasn’t going to school while she was in the hospital or when she got home. Who would have helped her?”
“I’m sure your mother and I could have he—”
“Dad, whose side are you on?”
“Er, yours, son.”
“Well tell Mum to stop encouraging her. The two have gone off this morning and she didn’t tell me where.”
“I’m sure your mother is taking great care of her. She told me she was taking Jade to have a spa day. Why don’t you go out and see your friends. I think some time apart will be good. You’ve both been in each other’s faces way too much.”
I sighed, my dad was right. I’d barely left Jade’s side since the beating. “I do need to go see Cassie. Jade’s birthday is less than a month away and I want to get everything organized.”
“It’s not exactly what I meant but if it gets you out of the house and stops your pacing, I’m fine with it.”
*****
I’d called Scott because I didn’t have his sister, Cassie’s, phone number. They were both at home. I drove there and Scott answered the door. “The others missed you at the games. We lost today.”
“Sorry, man, but my girl comes first.”
“I understand.” His eyes narrowed and he smirked. “Come in. Cassie is watching a movie.
I went into the house and to the back family room. Cassie sat on a huge L shaped sofa. She had tears running down her cheeks and tissues all around her. I looked to Scott in alarm. He waved his hand.
“It’s all your fault. You haven’t let her see Jade and she’s been blaming herself for not noticing anything with her grandfather. She thinks you won’t let Jade be friends with her or some shit. She’s been watching all these girly movies and crying. I only let you in so you can do something and end this crap.”
I stared at my best friend shocked, he hadn’t mentioned anything about this to me. He hadn’t told me he was pissed at me either.
Fuck, I wasn’t good with this emotional stuff. And right now I didn’t have the energy to deal with this. I slowly approached Cassie. “Um hi, Cassie.”
“Oh, Stephan, I’m so sorry. I should have seen it. I mean, she never liked being home, I just thought she really liked me. I’m such a bad friend. How bad is she? Am I not allowed to see her?”
“Cassie, I wasn’t keeping you from seeing her. I just forgot to ask you to come and visit. I’m here now to get your help for her birthday.”
“You’re not angry? You want me to help?”
“Sure. Look, why don’t we sort out her birthday stuff here so it’s a surprise and then you can come back to my house and see her. She had a spa day with my mum.”
“She had a spa day and I didn’t get invited?” Cassie started sobbing again and I looked at Scott begging him to help me. He just gave me an evil grin. “Ah, um…I’m sure Jade would have invited you…it’s just that…just that…it was a mother/daughter thing.” I waited, hoping I’d said the right thing.
Cassie sniffled and blew her nose. “Okay. Let’s get her birthday sorted out so I can go see her.”
I felt like a real douche. Not only was my best friend pissed at me but I’d upset my girl’s best friend.
*****
I drove Cassie to my house and was surprised at what we both came in on. Jade had the music on in the kitchen and she was dancing around as she mixed with a big cooking bowl. My mum sat on a kitchen bench stool singing along, watching my girl smile, laugh, and sing.
Not daring to move, I watched Jade. I’d never seen her so happy. Her guards were down and she could sing. My heart beat faster as I listened to her beautiful voice and I fell even more in love. She was gorgeous, her hair was down and flying around her, her eyes shone with life and love. I couldn’t tear my eyes from her even if I’d wanted to.
The song finished and Cassie clapped beside me. “You have an amazing voice, Jade.”
Jade dropped the bowl on the bench and ran to her friend. “Cassie!” She gave Cassie a one-arm hug.
Cassie started crying again. “Oh my God, look at you. Jade, I’m so sorry. I wish you’d told me. You could have stayed with me.” Cassie ran her hands over the still healing bruises.
I’d forgotten about Jade’s injuries for a moment as I watched her dance about the kitchen. Cassie hadn’t seen her in nine days. If she thought Jade still looked bad now, I would have hated to see how Cassie would have reacted when it all happened. I wanted to get upset at Jade for overdoing it dancing around, but after seeing how happy she was, I wouldn’t say anything. I needed to touch her, to kiss her. She was amazing.
Waiting until Cassie let her go I went to Jade and gathered her to me for my own hug. “You’re beautiful, you know that right?” I stroked her hair before easing her away, leaning down and kissing her. I didn’t give her the kiss I wanted. I was gentle and gave her more of a brush of my lips against hers but when she sighed against me, I deepened the kiss by licking her lips. I knew I’d done good bringing Cassie and not pushing for a deeper kiss.
Jade ended the kiss. “Thanks.”
I felt like I was on cloud nine. It was the first time Jade had taken over and the first time she really showed she cared. I was making progress getting her to like and trust me.
I smiled. “No need to thank me. I’d do anything for you.” I left her with my mum and Cassie. I needed to go talk to my brother to see if anyone else besides Scott was pissed at me.
*****
I’d neglected my friends and had some kissing arse to do. I’d missed Brad’s nineteenth birthday and he was hurt. I’d let down my rugby league team missing two games.
“They are sympathetic, bro, and feel bad Jade had to go through what she did. But they don’t understand the curse as you call it. They don’t know when we Silverman men find our soul mates we turn into possessive cavemen. They think you’re pussy whipped. Before you roar about that I told them Jade hasn’t given you any and if she had her way, never would.”
I growled at Derick, he was really starting to piss me off.
“Oh stop your growling. They all forgive you. Let them see Jade.”
“No.”
“Stephan, they’re going to see her Monday. I think we should do something together tomorrow like go shopping, out to dinner, a movie or maybe all.”
“No way. Jade has only been out of the hospital for three days.”
Derick scrubbed his face with his hand. “Bro, I really think they need to see her, and Jade needs to get out too. I know you want to wrap her in cotton wool and make sure no one can harm her again, but she’s young and doesn’t want to be smothered. I didn’t want to say this but they need to see her injuries. Monday is going to be a big day because everyone at school will be looking and pointing. I know you don’t want to hear it and you can’t beat them or glare at them all. I think if we get our friends’ shocked faces out of the way it will be easier.
I hated my brother was right and Cassie’s response downstairs confirmed it. “Fine. We’ll all go to a movie and dinner.”
“Good. I’ll call the guys.”
“I better go out now and get Brad a big present to make up for missing his big day.” I got off the sofa in Derick’s room and walked to the door.
“Oh you did get him one. You bought him an Omega DeVille Tourbillon, the diamonds in the watch alone should have made him happy. But he’s still pissy, he went on for hours about how he was down one wingman. I told him even if you were there you’d not help him troll for pussy.” Derick winked at me. “I had to take your share.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “I can see you’re really torn up about that.”
“It hard work, you know, keeping the Silverman name out there with the ladies, but I suppose I’m up for the challenge.”
I shook my head and walked to the door. To think only a month ago I was the Silverman who didn’t date and never had the same pussy twice. Now I’d found my soul mate. My carefree days were gone. Now I thought about it. I was exhausted. I was sick of fighting Jade and never getting anywhere with her. I hadn’t gone this long without sex since pre-puberty. Shit, I had become pussy whipped and I wasn’t even getting any pussy. Fuck this, I needed a night out. “How about just us guys go out tonight. Cassie can stay over and keep Jade occupied.”
“I think that’s best idea you’ve had in weeks. Let’s go stay in the Sydney apartment. Mum or Cassie can bring Jade to meet us for the movies.”
I hadn’t left Jade alone since the beating. I didn’t like leaving her in case she needed me. Ha, what was I thinking—Jade never needed me. She wouldn’t care if I went out. I was done fighting.
“Come on, bro. What’s the saying? Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Jade will be fine here for one night. Come on, I bet I can beat you at who can drink the most without passing out.”
I grinned down at Derick, he knew not to challenge me, I never lost. “You’re on. I’ll call Scott and Brad, you call the others.”
Derick nodded and I went in search of my mum, Cassie, and Jade.