Twenty-Eight
I hadn’t heard from Mr. Reeves or Tyler so I was hoping they’d both decided I wasn’t worth the drama and let us all move on. The magic of Christmas Eve with Gabe’s family was just a memory now. The semester was over and I was simply trying to live my life, which included shifts at O’Leary’s as the new year approached.
The weather had turned sharply colder and I was dreading stepping foot outside once my shift ended, but luckily Gabe was swinging by to pick me up and I knew the heat would be on full blast in his police cruiser.
We both were getting off late and since it was a Friday night, we thought we’d grab a coffee and then head back to my place. I kept glancing at the clock, waiting for the time to pass. I was anxious to see him. Anxious to be out of the pub and away from the guys at the bar, who’d been especially handsy as I made my way through the dining room. Neither of us had to work the next day and so we planned to sleep in late and do nothing much of anything, which was perfectly fine with me. Doing nothing with Gabe was exactly what I wanted.
It was nearing midnight. The last of the customers had gone and it was just Rick and I left. He’d closed the bar for the night. I’d finished prepping the dining room and was settling the cash register for the evening when Rick’s phone went off. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but a few moments later, I saw him coming towards me.
“I hate to do this to you, Sam, but my wife just called. Jeremiah’s been running a fever all night and now he’s throwing up. She thinks we need to take him to the ER,” Rick said, referring to his two-year-old son. I could see the concern on his face and I instantly nodded.
“Go,” I said. “Go be with your son.”
“Are you sure? The bar’s all settled up.” I knew he hated to leave me alone to finish, but he needed to be with his family.
“Of course, I’m sure. Your baby’s sick and your wife is scared. You need to be with them, not here. I’m practically done anyway and my boyfriend will be here soon. So please,” I said, reaching over and touching his arm with my hand, “go.” I smiled encouragingly at him and he smiled a hesitant smile back.
“Thank you, Sam. I owe you,” he said, walking quickly back to the bar and grabbing his things before making his way quickly out the front door, the bells attached to it jingling loudly in the quiet of the deserted pub.
I turned back to the register drawer and picked up the money I’d been counting and had only been working for a couple of minutes when I heard the bells on the door again.
“Did you forget something?” I asked, trying not to lose count as I kept my eyes focused on the money.
“Not that I’m aware of.”
My blood ran cold when I heard his voice and slowly my eyes lifted from the money in my hands to the front door. I couldn’t move when I saw him standing there. Tall and muscular, even more intimidating than I recalled. His eyes were cold as they stared at me across the room.
“What’re you doing here, Tyler?” I finally pushed out through the fear consuming me.
“I’m here to talk.”
“No,” I said quickly, taking a subconscious step backwards, wanting to get as far away from him as I possibly could. “You can’t be here. You have to leave.” My voice was strong even though I was terrified on the inside.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He took a few steps forward and he seemed to get bigger the closer he got. My heart was pounding and I couldn’t move now. He was angry. I could tell he’d been drinking. I could see it in his bloodshot eyes and hear it in his voice. I knew what he was capable of when he was drunk and I tried to keep myself calm as my eyes moved frantically over the empty bar, looking for some way to help myself.
“You can’t come near me, Tyler,” I forced myself to say. I could hear the shaking of my voice. I was afraid and he knew it. “I have a restraining order against you. You can go to jail if you come near me.”
“I don’t give a shit about that fucking order,” he barked at me and then a smug smirk curled up on his face. “And besides, you’ll never tell anyone.”
The way he was looking at me seemed to pierce through my fear and it pissed me off instead. He still thought of me as the meek, frightened girl he’d tried to control. I wasn’t that same person anymore.
“I’ll call the police,” I warned and he stopped, looking at me curiously. Neither of us blinked, but then finally, I reached for the phone near the register I’d been closing up. That was all it took for Tyler to spring into action.
He lunged at me, grabbing my wrist before I could pick up the receiver. His grip was stronger than I remembered. He towered over me, feeling more like a tree trunk than a person. I could smell the alcohol on him. I could see the rage.
“You’re not calling anyone,” he grunted as he pulled me away from the register and the phone.
“Let me go!” I shouted, trying to free myself, but it was impossible, not with his grip.
“I thought you were smarter than this,” he began, his nails digging into my skin as he spoke. I winced in pain, but it had no effect on Tyler. “I thought there was a brain in that fucking head of yours. Obviously, I was wrong.” There was a vein throbbing in his forehead and his face was turning red. “My father told you to get that order lifted and you haven’t done shit besides hang around with that cop all the time. You are my biggest mistake, Samantha! You’re not ruining my life!”
“I’m not! You did! You ruined your own damn life!” I shot back.
“You’re nothing, Sam! You’re not worth the ground I walk on. Now you’re going to lift that order tomorrow or else…” he continued, but I interrupted.
“Or else what?” I demanded and I watched as his eyes squinted tightly, staring at me with an evil glare.
“You know what. You know what I’m capable of, so unless you want to see exactly what I’m talking about, I suggest you do as you’re told,” he said, taking in a deep, angry breath. “And you’re not going to say one word about me being here tonight. Do you understand?” He gripped me harder and yanked me to him so he was staring down at me, looking frighteningly intimidating. I didn’t say anything, I just stood there, staring at him and fighting the burning in my throat. I couldn’t cry. Tyler could not see me cry. I’d cried enough over him and I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “Do you understand me, you little bitch?” He was practically growling now, his breath, sour from the alcohol, seeming to wrap around me like a dark cloud, and yet, I remained silent. “Stop the bullshit, Sam!” he shouted, his jaw clenching tightly before he continued. “I’ve told you before no one makes a fool of me!”
His words hit me like a ton of bricks. It was as if I was being whisked back in time, the memories flying through my mind until I was in front of my apartment door. Until Tyler was there. Until Tyler had said those same words to me. Until I heard the yelling and felt his hands on me. Until I was flying through the air, my crumpled body landing at the foot of the stairs.
“It was you,” I whispered. He looked confused by my words and he pulled me even closer.
“What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“It was you that night…the night I fell down the stairs. It was you. You’d come over to talk to me. You were drunk and then it got out of control and you pushed me down the stairs,” I said softly, raising my eyes to meet his, but he couldn’t look at me. “The doctors said it would come back to me…and it has,” I continued, trying to make sense of it all. Not in little bits, but in a giant tidal wave so strong it was frightening because I had to relive every moment of fear from that night. I had to feel every ounce of pain I’d tried putting behind me during these past couple of months.
“You’re fucking nuts,” he scoffed. “The police already said I was in Canada.”
“No, you weren’t,” I said, my voice surprisingly calm. “I don’t know how you pulled it off that you were, but you weren’t in Canada. You were at my apartment. You were waiting for me. You almost killed me.”
His eyes locked on mine and for the first time I saw fear inside of his.
“Nothing you say will change anything. It’s done,” he warned. “You’re nothing.”
He stared at me again, but this time, I met his stare right back.
“You’re wrong. I am something,” I said firmly. “And you’re not going to hurt me again.” My voice was deeper and stronger than I expected. I expected not to be able to say anything at all and if I could, it would’ve been meek and afraid. I wasn’t afraid anymore though. “Now get your hands off of me!”
“Fuck you!” he shouted, and I watched as his hand lifted in the air. I knew where it was headed: for me. I wouldn’t let that happen though. He could kill me tonight, but I wouldn’t give up without a fight.
I was in survival mode at that point, with nothing or no one to save me except myself. I don’t know how, but I ripped my arm from his grasp and reached for anything I could find. Once I felt the heavy napkin dispenser, I slammed the metal part as hard as I could into the side of his head.
“You little bitch!” he shouted out, grabbing his head where I’d hit him and then lunged for me. I was too fast though. I kicked him as hard as I could, right in the middle of the groin. His hands immediately went to his crotch and I saw my chance. It was as if I changed at that moment. I wasn’t myself. I was tired of being his pawn, of living in fear. I wasn’t going to have it anymore. I deserved so much more.
I grabbed one of the chairs, lifting it with all my might and smashing it as hard as I could on his head. He cried out and immediately fell to the ground. I lifted the chair again, ready to smack him a second time, when I heard my name.
“Sam! Stop!”
I whipped my head around to see Gabe standing there, still in uniform, his hand on his gun in the defensive stance he took when dealing with unhinged assailants. He looked between me and Tyler, obviously puzzled how a chair had ended up in my hands and Tyler on the ground. It didn’t make sense, but I was done being pushed around. I was finished allowing him to hurt me.
“Come here, Sam,” he said, his voice firm, but gentle with me as he waved me towards him. “Step away from him.”
I was frozen for a moment, staring down at the crumpled Tyler on the floor, unable to let go of the chair. But, then my eyes found Gabe’s again and I knew I was done. I was safe. I hadn’t let Tyler hurt me again. I suddenly found the strength to drop the chair and rush over to Gabe just as he went for Tyler, pulling his hands behind his back and slapping handcuffs on him. Gabe looked up at me, a fierceness in his eyes I hadn’t recalled ever seeing before.
“It’s over, Sam. He won’t hurt you again,” he said and for the first time since I’d met Tyler Reeves, I felt like I could breathe again.
~~~
After Gabe had cuffed Tyler, he’d called it in and another cruiser showed up at the pub to officially haul Tyler away. I had to go down to the station too to give my statement. I was afraid at first. I was the one who’d been beating Tyler when Gabe walked in. I could have been charged with assault, but it quickly became evident by Tyler’s demeanor that I’d only been acting in self-defense. It all came spilling out after that. Detective Blanchard was called in and I told him everything. I remembered what happened to me that night. I remembered it was because of Tyler I’d fallen down the stairs. Somehow, he’d faked being in Canada because there was no doubt he was responsible for what happened. I’d told the detective about the night in the frat house too. I didn’t know what would become of it, but at least I’d said it. At least it was out there and maybe Tyler would pay for what he’d done to me. The detective had been so cold when I first met him all those months ago, when I didn’t have a clue what had happened to me, but now, he seemed different. His stone face was gone and I saw a hint of compassion as he listened to me and I was hopeful my testimony hadn’t been in vain. It was emotionally exhausting telling my story, but I’d told it and after a couple of hours, I was done.
As Gabe drove me home, I called the pub to make sure everything was okay. The owner had been called by the police to come down because of the incident. Luckily the only physical damage was the broken napkin dispenser. Even the chair I’d used was okay. Still, I was apologetic about what had happened and felt guilty for the pub getting mixed up at all in this mess. The owner assured me it was okay and hoped I was doing alright. I told him I was, even though I was still trying to come to grips with everything. I never thought Tyler would take it as far as he had. I was certain his anger with me would only grow now after this. I didn’t care though. He’d done this. He’d made his own choices and now he’d have to live with it.
It was almost four a.m. when I walked into my apartment, Gabe following behind. I was tired, but I knew sleep wouldn’t come easily. My body was still wired from the adrenaline.
I hadn’t even finished locking the door when Rachel came bolting down the hallway, looking frantic. Gabe had called her from the station to tell her what had happened. She’d wanted to come down, but he told her to stay home, which I was grateful for. It would only make it harder having her there.
“I’ve been so worried,” she said, walking quickly over to me and hugging me tightly. “Are you okay?” she asked when she’d pulled away.
“Yes. I’ll be fine,” I answered and for the first time, I actually believed those words. Even after everything, I would be fine. It might take some time, but my past was not going to define me. It would not take my happiness.
“Did he hurt you?” she asked as she started looking me over.
“Not really,” I told her and then I heard a snicker from Gabe. Rachel and I both turned to look at him.
“The real question should be whether Sam hurt Tyler,” he said and Rachel looked at me curiously. I couldn’t help the little smile that formed on my face when I met his eyes. “She kicked the crap out of him.”
“What?” Rachel gasped. “Seriously?”
“When I walked in, she had him on the floor writhing around like a little baby,” he said with a laugh.
“What? How?” she exclaimed.
“Never underestimate the power of a swift kick to the groin and a chair to the head,” I said and Rachel continued to stare at me with an open mouth. It felt good to insert some humor into what had been a very serious night.
“I can’t believe it,” she whispered.
“I have to say it was quite the moment,” Gabe continued with a smile. “And I’ll remember never to piss you off.” He slid his arm around me and kissed me on the head as I laughed.
“I’m…I’m just so glad you’re alright,” Rachel said and when our eyes met, I saw tears in hers. I’d caused her so much pain and worry. I prayed this would be the last time.
“You were right, Rache,” I said quietly and she looked at me curiously.
“About what?” she asked.
“It was Tyler. He pushed me down the stairs,” I told her and I watched as her eyes got big, waiting for me to explain. “I remembered everything tonight. I don’t know why. I think it was something he said to me and it all came flooding back. It was him and you were right.”
Her hand covered her mouth and I watched as tears filled her eyes again.
“Bastard,” she whispered under her breath. “He could’ve killed you.”
“But, he didn’t,” I said, walking over to her and taking her hand with mine. “I’m still here.”
“I love you so much,” she whispered, pulling me into her arms again and it was her words that finally freed the tears I’d been holding back all night. They fell silently down my cheeks as she held me and when she finally pulled away, holding me at arm’s length, she wiped them away with her thumb.
“I love you too,” I said softly and when she smiled at me, I felt like we were okay. That everything we’d been through in life would finally be behind us.
“You should get some sleep,” she said gently.
“Yeah. I probably should,” I agreed and then Rachel turned her attention to Gabe.
“Take care of her,” she said, walking over to him and pulling him in for a hug. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for her…for us,” she said to him as they embraced.
“You don’t need to thank me. I love her,” he said softly to my sister and I felt myself getting choked up again. Being loved by someone the way Gabe had proven to love me was the greatest feeling and I never wanted it to end.
Rachel and Gabe pulled away and then she smiled at me once more before disappearing back into her room, leaving just Gabe and I.
“We need to get some sleep,” he said after a few quiet seconds.
“Yeah, we do,” I agreed, taking his hand and leading him down the hall.
He’d been spending so much time at my apartment, he had his pajamas and an extra set of clothing, along with a toothbrush, waiting for him. We changed into our pajamas and brushed our teeth before crawling into bed, side by side. The sun wouldn’t rise for a couple of more hours and I snuggled up next to him in the darkness. I loved listening to the beating of his heart and feeling his arm draped around me. There was no place else I’d ever felt so safe.
“I’m proud of you,” he said softly after we’d settled in. “I’m proud of the way you stood up for yourself tonight, for showing him that he can’t hurt you anymore.”
“I am too,” I admitted softly, feeling empowered by what had happened.
“I’ve been trying to take care of you. I’ve been trying to protect you, but,” he said, taking a pause and kissing me on the temple, “you’ve proven you can do that yourself.”
“I was so scared tonight,” I said quietly. “I thought he might kill me.”
“I think he might’ve too if you hadn’t stopped him.” Gabe’s voice was quiet and I could hear the fear in it as we both thought back to how differently the situation could’ve played out.
“It’s okay though,” I proclaimed softly. “I’m okay. He broke me once, but that’s done. I’m moving on and I’m never turning back.”
I felt his arm slide off of me and he moved so that my head rested on the pillow and he was gazing down at me. Even in the darkness of the room, the moonlight from outside allowed me to look into his eyes, those same deep eyes I’d awoken to as I lay a broken woman at the bottom of those stairs. At my lowest point, he’d found me and those eyes had assured me I would be alright. They were doing the same thing now. He’d helped me see what I was capable of and that I deserved to be loved. He’d changed my life and I would always be grateful to him for that.
“You’re an incredible woman, Samantha Everly,” he said softly, tracing his fingertip over my jawline before leaning down and brushing his lips gently over mine. Before him, I would’ve never believed such words, but now, I did and I would never forget them.